Defense Logistics Management Standards (DLMS)

As indicated above, DLMS are broad-based business rules, policies, procedures, time standards, transactions, and data management standards for transactional information exchanges among defense logistics AISs. DLMS enable EDI of logistics information for, but not limited to, billing, reporting and accountability, requisitioning and issue, and Supply Discrepancy Reporting across the military services, defense agencies, other federal agencies, foreign national governments, international government organizations, and non-governmental organization (NGO) participants in the defense logistics network.
 
In accordance with DoDD 8190.01E, DLMS has been designated at the DoD standard for EDI (transactional) and information exchange among AISs for DoD Logistics and global supply chain management (SCM) systems. The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Enterprise Data Standards Office (EDSO) acts as the DoD Executive Agent for oversight and program management of DLMS.
 
Logistics processing through Military Standard Logistics Systems (MILS) relied on data exchange transactions based on 1960s technology which are fundamentally obsolete, do not promote best business practices within the government, and are incompatible with industry. DLMS identify and standardize the processes governing logistics business management practices and replace DoD unique logistics data exchange standards with approved commercial standards and supporting implementation conventions (IC) for DoD transactions.
 
However, DLMS processing is about much more than changing from one format to another. DLMS expands the logistics information spectrum capability to capture existing and emerging functionality to accommodate technology innovations such as Item Unique Item Identification (IUID) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), allowing for cradle-to-grave (or cradle-to-cradle) visibility and traceability of DoD assets. DLMS offers the DoD opportunity to exploit American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) X12 ( ASC X12) tansaction and X12 based extensible markup language (XML) for automatic identification technology (AIT) including passive RFID and IUID linear and 2D bar coding, and other web-based technologies for DoD logistics operations. DLMS implement ANSI ASC X12 transactions for EDI and X12 based XML, widely used in the private sector to conduct business operations. EDI is currently being utilized between the government and industry to conduct acquisition, transportation, finance, and other functional area transaction processes.
 
DLMS are applicable to the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF), the military departments, the Joint Staff, combatant commands, and all other agencies conducting business with the DoD, and as such, the DoD is required to give priority to the development and implementation of DLMS of DLMS requirements before any other intra-DoD Component requirements. DLMS transactions from one agency to another will be processed via the Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) utilizing the Defense Automatic Addressing System (DAAS) as the defense logistics central hub through which all DLMS transactions pass for data edits, business rule application, translation, routing, archiving, and data warehousing.
 
While DLMS do not apply to nor require agencies to use a specific AIS, DLMS are to be implemented utilizing existing or planned automated systems to uniformly implement DLMS in all AISs that perform business functions which support the global supply chain.
 
DLA EBSO has responsibility to establish business procedures, develop data standards, and ensure Enterprise policy and procedures which promote seamless interoperability for the exchange of logistics data within the defense logistics community.
 
Note: DoD Instruction (DoDI) 4140.01:  DoD Supply Chain Materiel Management Policy, authorizes the publication of Defense Logistics Manuals (DLM) and stipulates that they carry the full weight and authority of a DoD manual.