A look over the shoulder "Integrated Logistics Support" 

Stefan Techentin: In fact, we are now talking more about IPS. IPS stands for In Product Support and is divided into ILS (Integrated Logistics Support) and ISS (In Service Support).

ILS starts in the development phase and ends with the delivery of the product or the handover to the customer. In the ILS phase, we lay the foundation for the later service phase. This process runs alongside development and covers the following fields, such as

• Logistics Analyses
• Determination of Spare Parts Requirements
• Concept of Maintenance
• External Technical Customer Documentation
• Training
• Concept of Obsolescence Management

The ISS process starts after handover to the customer and covers all the services we offer in the service area, for instance:

• Hotline Support and Ticket System
• Obsolescence Management
• Additional Trainings for the User
• On-Site Maintenance and Repairs
• Spare Parts Service (repairs and restocking on site)

Stefan Techentin: With pleasure. My department is located in Flight Simulation and, in future, in the Air domain. Together with my team, we take care of all matters relating to ILS and ISS for the projects and products in flight simulation, as well as some projects outside of flight simulation in other areas of Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH. Our area of responsibility includes, for example:

• Logistic Analyses
• Coordination and Planning of the Creation of our Customer Service Documentation
• Education and Training
• Obsolescence Management
• In Service Support

Stefan Techentin: The day-to-day work is quite vivid. In addition to analysing our products, there is also a great need for coordination with colleagues and subcontractors involved in the project due to the different subject areas. In summary, we have a good mix of desk work, product work and coordination within the project team.

Stefan Techentin: I started as a technical editor at Rheinmetall Technical Publications GmbH in 2008 and then continued to familiarise myself with ILS topics, such as logistical analyses, until I joined Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH as ILS Manager in 2018.

The incredibly dynamic working environment and, in particular, the close collaboration and continuous dialogue with a wide variety of people make working as an ILS Manager special for me. Thanks to the project-based work, ILS also offers scope for working directly on the product, which can certainly be combined with business trips around the world. All these aspects mean that working as an ILS Manager never gets boring and is the best job in the world for me.