Abstract
There are currently many legacy facilities operating in the Middle East & Africa region that have plans in place to extend the plant life. Oil prices have been steadily going up, leading to increases in production, and driving economic growth. In order to extend the life of these older facilities, the sites are budgeting to replace critical parts accordingly. Obsolescence is an inevitable part of every product lifecycle and, with the new wave of technology and AI in the market, facilities face the challenge of increasing profitability in the fast-paced economy. The number of more efficient upgrades available presents an opportunity for strengthening supplier and customer relationships and increasing aftermarket revenues for suppliers. A large amount of data exists regarding the suppliers' installed base at the customer facility, however, navigating that data and adequately communicating the value of obsolescence management both internally within the supplier company and externally to the customer comes with a set of challenges This project investigates the current internal obsolescence management strategies at a supplier, identifying pain points related to big data management and internal/external communications. The methodology involves an internal audit, employee interviews, and customer feedback to develop a framework for streamlining communication and managing obsolescence more effectively. The main objective is to enhance supplier-customer collaboration by optimizing data utilization and communication processes, ultimately improving lifecycle management and aftermarket opportunities. The research reveals gaps in data integration and interdepartmental communication, presenting an opportunity for improving the efficacy obsolescence management. By implementing a structured framework, the project demonstrates improved coordination, increased customer satisfaction, and enhanced revenue generation through better alignment of maintenance strategies and obsolescence management processes.
Publication Date
12-14-2024
Document Type
Master's Project
Student Type
Graduate
Degree Name
Engineering Management (ME)
Advisor
Muhammad Imran
Recommended Citation
Issa, Mora, "Improving Obsolescence Management by Enhancing Supplier-Customer Collaboration" (2024). Thesis. Rochester Institute of Technology. Accessed from
https://repository.rit.edu/theses/12230
Campus
RIT Dubai
