Efficiency of product support

It is shown that a Markov technique can predict the rate of spares failure (stockouts) which prevails for most of the life cycle (after absorption of some initial spares into the spares pipeline). It is also shown that these steady-state failure rates can be combined with standard Markov solutions and arithmetic operations to produce an optimized product-using agency as a function of product support alternatives (quantities of support equipment, spares and support personnel). Reductions in replenishment time through improved training or equipment will also appear in these models. Therefore the efficiency of product support can be evaluated using these techniques. Their use could sharpen the competitive edge of product support services.<>