MRO spare parts features

Lanza is specialized in supporting MRO spare parts planning. Therefore, there are several functionalities tailored specifically to the complexities of the MRO spare parts environment:

  • Slow mover management
  • Repairable management
  • Supersession
  • Where-used information (e.g. BOMs)

Slow mover management

Lanza offers specialized forecasting algorithms to tackle the challenges of forecasting slow moving parts. Because of the lack of data, regular forecasting methods often do not provide accurate results.

  • Croston forecasting
    The Croston forecasting method is specifically designed to forecast parts with intermittent demand. This makes it applicable to slow moving parts.
    Croston forecasts the demand size (the size of the demand request, if there is demand) and the demand interval (the time between two consecutive demands) separately. This way, the exaggerated impact of months without demand that occurs with normal forecasting algorithms is negated.
  • Typical Demand Quantity (TDQ)
    The TDQ method is a forecasting and inventory model in one. It is designed to suit slow movers with lumpy and intermittent demand, where regular statistics offer little value.
    The TDQ method determines logical batches that correspond with typical amounts requested by end users (often Maintenance). Based on the chosen stock availability target and lead time, Lanza calculates which number – or combination – of batches should be stocked to achieve the target stock availability.

 

Repairable management

Lanza offers specialized functionalities to account for the different characteristics of repairable parts. In comparison with regular consumable parts, repairables can be repaired. This requires several different processes and considerations in the planning of repairables. 

  • Utilizing repair and purchase lead times
    Repairable parts have two sources of supply: new-buy and repair. Both sources can have varying lead times. To accurately predict future lead times, both sources should be considered. This is done by calculating the weighted average of the new-buy and repair lead times using the scrap rate (see below).
  • Calculating scrap rates
    The scrap rate represents the percentage of parts that is beyond-repair after breaking down. So, simplified: how many parts can not be repaired after failure.
  • Offering insight into the repair chain
    Lanza offers visibility in the inventory within your repair chain, whether your parts are on stock, in repair, defect, or in supply.

 

  • Enabling dedicated repairable valuation
    After defining the part repair costs, Lanza is able to valuate defect and ready-for-use stock differently, giving more accurate insight into the actual value of your inventory.

Supersession

Lanza offers several functionalities regarding supersession and interchangeability relations. Supersession is defined as one part being replaced by a new part, while interchangeability indicates whether parts can be used for the same purpose.

There are three types of part relationships:

  • Predecessor: old part that is replaced by a new part)
  • Successor: new part that replaces an old part
  • Two-way interchangeable: parts that are identical for practical purposes, both parts can be used replacing the other.

With these part relationships, Lanza offers the following functionalities:

  • Use past information on successors 
    Merge demand patterns, lead times and stock levels for all predecessors and successors and use the updated input for calculating solid inventory parameters for all active parts.
  • Supersession visibility
    Visualize your part relations by connecting all superseded and interchangeable parts.

 

Where-used information

Lanza offers the ability to use where-used information in decision making. Where-used information indicates in which asset or Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) a component is/ has been used. This is often gathered from the Bill Of Material (BOM), if available. This adds the following value for planning purposes:

  • Findability of underlying components
    Visualize underlying components and quantities on a part level. Moreover, find parts that are related to certain (sub)assets using the Focus app.
  • Base part forecasts on asset installed base
    With the connection between parts and assets, demand forecasts can be adjusted according to changes in the asset landscape, e.g. when assets are phased in or out.