ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- EPIC represents a unique tool
for workflow and process management. It can facilitate procedure execution,
procedure documen- tation, process auditing, and quality inspections.
In real time, it can also define a process, measure the workflow,
and compare measurement results to established standards and goals
- SENTEL Corp. and NASA jointly
designed, built, and tested prototype paperless work authorization
procedures. Initially called the Quality Assurance Portable Data Collection
System (QAPDC), this project was an important step towards reducing
paper and increasing quality for the International Space Station Operations
at KSC
- The QAPDC system won the NASA
SBIR of the Year Award (software category) at Technology 2006
- The QAPDC system incorporated
a handheld, pen-based computer platform with the capability to install
a variety of data collection forms, record data against those forms,
imprint controlled signature authority and quality inspector stamps,
maintain the integrity of data collected, and relay the data to a
computer network for analysis or archiving
- By combining the technologies
and lessons learned from the QAPDC and the Wireless Information Network
(WIN), another SENTEL SBIR contract project, EPIC proves secure and
reliable document modification, review, and approval
- EPIC allows for direct incorporation
of procedure modifications and deviations. It offers realtime workflow
measurement and documentation, workgroup information sharing and collaboration,
and reduced use of paper
- A Formative Evaluation study was
conducted by an Auburn University professor for EPIC usability and
performance enhancement
- Scheduled to be used in parallel
with current procedures during International Space Station payload
processing operations at KSC
- SENTEL teamed with Symbol Technologies
and CM stat Corp. to provide a commercial process management system
incorporating EPIC, called the Advanced Process Manager™
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ACCOMPLISHMENTS
(cont'd)
- Founded in 1987, SENTEL received
its 8(a) certification from the U.S. SBA in 1989. Since its inception,
SENTEL has enjoyed significant but controlled growth. The company
has progressed from a single $33K subcontract in 1987 to its current
$30 million plus in revenue
COMMERCIALIZATION
- Two products: 1) EPIC,
a standalone portable data collection system, developed jointly by
NASA and SENTEL. 2) Advanced Process Manager™, a full-function product
data management system
- Secondary markets are
the Defense system lifecycle data management, product data management,
supply chain management, and fleet maintenance management
- SENTEL has partnered
with CMstat Corporation, Alexandria, Virginia, and Symbol Technologies,
to develop Advanced Process Manager™. SENTEL interfaced EPIC with
CMstat’s V5 configuration management product. For worker mobility,
Advanced Process Manager features Symbol Technology’s Spectrum 24™
wireless networking technology
GOVERNMENT/SCIENCE
APPLICATIONS
- The EPIC project began as an SBIR
contract initiated by the Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate
at Kennedy Space Center. They teamed with the Payload Processing Directorate
to jointly develop the project with SENTEL Corporation, which was
awarded the SBIR contract. The prototype was tested and determined
to be a viable option
- After the contract was completed,
NASA KSC and SENTEL Corp. joined in a Nonreimbursable Space Act Agreement
in 1997 to develop an operational version of the product, to be used
to electronically execute Work Authorization Documents (WADs)
- KSC and Ames Research Center are
conducting joint research to apply EPIC in wireless communi- cations
and in developing smaller, lighter hardware to display EPIC portable
data terminals in various KSC environments
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