Frequently Asked Questions

About RamLog

What is RamLog?

RamLog covers three functional areas that have been brought together to enable support simulation modelling, Logistic Support Analysis (LSA) and Failure Data Analysis (FRACAS). RamLog is a MIL-STD-1388-2B / DEF STAN 00-60 compliant Logistic Support Analysis Record (LSAR) database.  The Failure Data Edition is a Failure Reporting and Corrective Action System (FRACAS) compliant database and the RamLog Simulation Edition is a state of the art Monte Carlo simulation engine. The object-based approach provides a step-change from most of the current  analytical software tools.  It offers a much more flexible environment by comparison to these tools. RamLog has been designed to be used throughout the life cycle. 

Who uses RamLog?

RamLog is used by a number of organisations in South Africa, UK MoD and BAE SYSTEMS. Typical users include: Reliability & Maintainability (R&M), Logistic Support and Life Cycle Cost (LCC) analysts

Why would I use RamLog?

RamLog can be used in different ways at different stages of the life cycle. At the early stages of the acquisition phase, the focus is primarily on the design of a supportable product and RamLog can be used to assess readiness and operational availability at the system and sub-system level. As the design evolves and more detail becomes available, RamLog can be used to help design the optimum support system. During the early stages of the in-service phase, industry can use RamLog to investigate the impact that might occur due to difference between feedback, measured reliability data and the predicted data used. During the acquisition phase the equipment support manager can use RamLog to determine the content of logistic support packages for equipment deployment operations.

Are there any limitations on the product, system or plant size?

RamLog can deal with a system of unlimited size in the product breakdown structure.  RamLog is also able to deal with an unlimited number of systems or variants. 

Installation and Start-up

How do I install RamLog?

Please see the read me file for the relevant instructions to install a RamLog application.

What is the latest RamLog version?

RamLog 6.1 was released during February 2008. The following applications are available for download in our download section. Please note a Username and Password will be required during the download process.

  • Data Checker;
  • RamLog Simulation Edition 
  • RamLog Information Management Edition
  • Task Documentation Editor

What is the initial default RamLog user name and password?

  • User name: RamLogUser
  • Password: RamLog

What are the limitations for RamLog evaluation license?

If RamLog has not been activated, it will only function within the following limitations:

  • A maximum of 3 systems are allowed;
  • Maximum 20 Items allowed (Product Breakdown);
  • Maximum 20 Functions allowed Functional Breakdown);
  • The export of reports is disabled;
  • Maximum 30 Failure Modes may be loaded for simulation;
  • Maximum 30 Tasks may be loaded for simulation;
  • The total number Reliability Block Diagram (RBD) blocks from Operational Analysis may not exceed 15;
  • Reset data exported from the Arena library must be within the above Failure Modes, Tasks and RBD constraints;
  • The total number of Operational Model blocks may not exceed 10;
  • The total number of Deploy and Support Model blocks may not exceed 10.

Information Management Edition

Which MIL-STD-1388-2B / DEF STAN 00-60 data fields are supported by RamLog?

The System Database is based on MIL-STD-1388-2B and DEF STAN 00-60 with an Import and Export capability. A detail listing of the data fields can be seen in 2B-0060.xls spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel 5.0 / 95 Workbook) available in our download section.

Which reports are the minimum LSA Reports?

The following reports are recommended to be the minimum LSA reports:

  • Rep-A05:  Logistic Support Product Breakdown Structure
  • Rep-B02:  FMECA Report (PBS)
  • Rep-B03:  Failure Detection Means Report (PBS)
  • Rep-B08:  RCM Report Rep-C02:  Task Report
  • Rep-D01:  Detailed Maintenance Task Report
  • Rep-D02:  Task Supply Support Requirements Report
  • Rep-D03:  Task Support Equipments Report
  • Rep-D04:  Task Technical Manual Requirements Report
  • Rep-D05:  Task Facility Requirements Report
  • Rep-D12:  Skills Requirements Report
  • Rep-D13:  Personnel Task List Report

Can RamLog be integrated with other software products?

We have integrated the RELEX and EAGLE software products with RamLog. Due to the SQL database, it is a standard approach to import data from a Microsoft Excel environment.

Simulation Edition

What is support simulation modelling?

Support simulation modelling is an approach that enables the projection of events and related activities over a time period.  These “events” are time based and their occurrence can be randomized through the use of stochastic methods.  In support simulation modelling the primary “event” is the operation of a system.  Secondary events can be corrective maintenance (a failure event), preventative maintenance or operational activities.  In support simulation modelling, four (4)  main areas of information are brought together:

  • operational data (operational scenarios)
  • system/plant information (logistic support analysis database)
  • deployment and support data (deployment and support scenarios)
  • planner event data (ie. system acquisitions and deployments)

What does the Simulation Edition do?

The RamLog Simulation Edition integrates reliability and maintainability data with a range of logistics data i.e. manpower, spares, test equipment, facilities, etc. and includes the ability to allocate and accumulate support cost data. The simulation modelling approach provides a stochastic view taking, mean values and introduces a random effect, thus reflecting a more realistic situation than the deterministic approach. The modelling is “event driven” taking the predicted reliability data and injecting randomized failures into the simulation run. Each failure is viewed as an event and the model is capable of understanding maintenance plan and logistic delays for both spare parts and the movement of failed items between maintenance lines. Simulation runs determine logistic support requirements and lapsed time for each event. The model also accommodates events that are not based on failures and these can be incorporate on a time basis. These events might be for preventive maintenance, operational activities, etc. Cost can be allocated to events and to associate data such as spare parts, test equipment, manpower, fuel, ammunition, etc.  At the end of a simulation run, summary information identifying failures, system reliability and availability characteristics associated support items and costs are illustrated in output reports and graph formats.

Can I model spares, manpower and facility cost separately? Do I have the risk of double accounting?

Yes, double accounting is possible. It depends on your definition of repair cost. You may want to define repair cost as: "all repair costs, excluding the cost for spares", another user will include the cost of spares in the definition.  We suggest you define it, and develop the model which is best suited for your situation.

How is a model constructed in RamLog Simulation Edition?

The building of a support simulation model requires; product, support environment and operational information. The product information will be in the form of configuration, reliability and maintainability data that will reside within the logistic database of RamLog. The support environment business rules, i.e. maintenance levels, delay times, pipeline times, etc. are captured and documented.  These are then used to construct the support environment in the model. The support environment(s) and operational plan(s) are constructed using simulation objects (drag and drop user interface).

How is the model used?

The construction of each unique model is according to a defined set of requirements.  These requirements are established according to a project's specific needs.  For example, one project might be focused on determining spare parts requirements and man-power profiles whilst another project might be more interested in understanding different Contractor Logistic Support (CLS) options. After construction and testing against these pre-defined requirements, the model will be used as an analysis tool. Each simulation run, uses a different set of random numbers (seed value) in order to establish different variations of the “mean” value. The simulation run is for the length of time appropriate to the type of equipment, i.e. a twenty-five year life cycle.

How long does it take to build a model?

The elapsed time for model construction, subject to information and data availability, is approximately one month.

How long does it take for a simulation run?

Depending on the size of the project, these models can take anything between 5 minutes - 5 hours to run.  It is however, recommended to use a powerful computer to simulate a number of systems operating from multi-location scenarios. The recommend minimum PC requirements are here.

Failure Data Edition (RAMLOG.NET)

What is the current status of the FDM?

R&M Technologies is currently (Feb 2008) updating the the RamLog MS Access based FDM to SQL 2005. We are looking forward to this development since the Failure Data Edition and the RamLog Simulation Edition will close the gap between the predicted and measured data analysis.

Can the Failure Data Edition be linked/integrated to my existing Maintenance Management Information System (MMIS)?

R&M Technologies have the skills and due to the SQL database, it will be a standard approach to integrate and develop import/export data procedures to an existing MMIS.