WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio -- The Foundational Logistics Information Technology Enterprise System (FLITES) released their cataloging capability, FLITES 1.1.1 on April. 9, to become the sole authoritative data source for all Department of the Air Force Item Management. FLITES houses description and reference data on all Air Force managed items from nuts and bolts to sub-assemblies such as radars to entire aircraft.
FLITES’ 1.0, initially released in September 2024, enhanced search capabilities for item management and introduced a new web-based user interface, but it was not transactional.
FLITES is the first new item management system in 50 years and will replace the current Item Management Control System (IMCS), also known as D043, which was introduced in the 1970’s and grew to include 11 modules. IMCS was targeted to be modernized in 2013, but a series of starts and stops delayed decisions on the eventual solution.
FLITES Cataloging release replaces six of the 11 modules.
Another three modules are scheduled for replacement in the Summer of 2025, and the final two modules are scheduled to be replaced by FLITES in April 2026, allowing IMCS to be decommissioned.
Catalogers in FLITES can conduct transactions, add attachments and comments to Assistance Requests, and capture communications with colleagues via the in-app chat capability. FLITES users enjoy more freedom to perform catalog research and create reports without external assistance, while also allowing users to save their favorites and search dashboards-- key features that help users better manage their workload.
“Decreasing research time is one of the main impacts we knew FLITES would have,” a user commented. “Researching National Item Identification Numbers (NIINs) for info is 1000x better than D043.”
Others have described FLITES as intuitive, transparent, and a leap forward.
Additionally, training new users on FLITES is expected to take weeks rather than the several months it takes for a user to become proficient in IMCS. The functionality of FLITES streamlines workflows and improves the overall efficiency of cataloging.
The FLITES Integrated Program Office (IPO) combines the talents and oversight of Air Force Materiel Command, Logistics, Systems Integration Division and Business and Enterprise Systems Logistics Readiness Portfolio.
FLITES Logistics Manager, Todd Newhart, worked for many years on IMCS and still has the half inch thick book of codes he was originally issued. He showed it to new members of the FLITES team before proudly demonstrating FLITES’ user-friendly, web-based, graphical user interface.
The team has worked hard to produce a system that will vastly improve the user experience while meeting new auditability, cybersecurity, and other policy requirements. As exciting as this release is, it is only the first chapter of capability for FLITES.
The AFMC/A4 Logistics Strike Team will continue to identify legacy systems and other capabilities to add to FLITES after replacing IMCS. The IPO stands ready to meet these future challenges.