Software parts

You can create part numbers in Maintenix for software applications that are installed and updated on assemblies, such as Field Loadable Software (FLS) installed on aircraft.

However, software applications have peculiarities that do not apply to other types of parts:

  • Software applications do not use the same material management workflows as other parts; they are often uploaded via a network, instead of being shipped, received, and routed to the correct inventory.

  • Although you can install software on several different inventory items and you may be required to track when and where each version of the software is installed to prove compliance, the instance of the software installed on each inventory item does not have a unique serial number.

When you create tracked configuration slots on an assembly and select the Software check box, all tracked part numbers added to the tracked part group—which Maintenix creates on the configuration slot —are treated as software components. For software components, unlike regular tracked parts, Maintenix does not:

  • Require a unique serial number for software inventory you create in the system.

  • Create shipments, transfers, turn ins, cycle counting, or track stock for software, because such workflows do not apply to software components.

  • Create a removal task when software components are installed; a software installation is a first installation, an upgrade, or a minor update, and no physical item is removed or discarded as a result of the installation. However, a software installation is not permitted when there is already software installed in the config slot position, and the installed software can only be replaced. Also, repairable software parts cannot be used for part removal (software parts by definition are not repairable).

  • Generate a part request when a software component is added to a task as a part requirement, because software components are not stored in a warehouse, and are not usually obtained from material management personnel.

You use Maintenix tasks to schedule and track the installation and update of software applications on inventory items. You should include the version number of the software application in the part number to make it easy to see which version is installed on each applicable inventory.

You can also use the part applicability, interchangeability, and incompatibility features of Maintenix to accomplish the following:

  • Prevent the wrong software, or wrong version of the software, from being installed on specific assemblies or inventory.

  • Prevent incompatible software from being installed on the same inventory.

  • Prevent incompatible software and hardware from coexisting on the same inventory.

  • Prevent the installation of a software version that should not be installed on the inventory because some work was done on the inventory which makes the software incompatible with the inventory, or because some work that is required to make the software compatible with the inventory has not been done yet.