Conference Examines Evolution of Logistics

The chapter held a May conference on the future of logistics to analyze its evolution considering new operations scenarios and technologies. Lt. Gen. Antonio Tangorra, ITAF, chapter president, introduced the event, thanking all participants. Attendees first heard an overview about the use of logistics data to increase flexibility and efficiency. Maj. Gen. P. Giovannini, Italian army logistics command, then introduced the evolution of logistics in the 21st-century army, pointing out the changes since 1998 due to insourcing and outsourcing policies. Brig. Gen. S. Scalese, Italian air force logistics command, spoke about mixed reality technologies to support the maintenance of command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (C4I) systems and operator training. Brig. Gen. Maurizio Astolfi, Italian air force logistics command, introduced the evolution of logistics support for air platforms, including opportunities and constraints, and R. Vertucci of Italian defense company Leonardo underscored how reduced budgets and personnel drove new models of logistics support and new technologies. F. Boggiani of Leonardo discussed integrated multiplatform logistics hubs for the armed forces and talked about Leonardo products ranging from traditional after-sale support to turnkey multivendor and multiplatform services. G.F. De Luca, Italian Space Agency, illustrated the development of logistics and integrated operations for the COSMO SkyMed constellation. Lt. Gen. G. Fantuzzi, air forces logistics commander, explained the mission of logistics in the armed forces, which means deployment of operational capabilities in joint frameworks. He also presented Airathon, the first hackaton in Italy dealing with air forces logistics focused on optimizing training and processes. Alessandro Schisano of Vitrociset spoke about how logistics supports space missions developed in Europe, in particular, the Galileo constellation ground segment. M. De Angelis, BV Tech, presented "Decisional Support for Logistics 4.0," detailing his firm's technology for logistics operators, with simple man-machine interfaces and simultaneous use of different tools such as multitouch tables, wearable devices and smartphones. S. Marchetti and M. Mattei of Oracle highlighted the value of information and latency in operations for interconnected systems, leading to smart connected logistics. N. Carlomagno of Consorzio S3Log closed the conference with a discussion about the challenge of documental logistics, detailing his company's approach, based on a hybrid archive.

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