PIMS-Universal Payload Information Management
Ralph B. Elmore, Ann R. McNair · NASA Technical Reports Server (NASA) · 2002
As the overall manager and integrator of International Space Station (ISS) science payloads and experiments, the Payload Operations Integration Center (POIC) at Marshall Space Flight Center had a critical need provide an information management system for exchange and management of ISS payload files as well as coordinate ISS payload related operational changes. The POIC's information management system has a fundamental requirement provide secure operational access not only users physically located at the POIC, but also provide collaborative access remote experimenters and International Partners. The Payload Information Management System (PIMS) is a ground based electronic document configuration management and workflow system that was built service that need. Functionally, PIMS provides the following document management related capabilities: 1. File access control, storage and retrieval from a central repository vault. 2. Collect supplemental data about files in the vault. 3. File exchange with a PMS GUI client, or any FTP connection. 4. Files placement into an FTP accessible dropbox for pickup by interfacing facilities, included files transmitted for spacecraft uplink. 5. Transmission of email messages users notifying them of new version availability. 6. Polling of intermediate facility dropboxes for files that will automatically be processed by PIMS. 7. Provide an API that allows other POIC applications access PIMS information. Functionally, PIMS provides the following Change Request processing capabilities: 1. Ability create, view, manipulate, and query information about Operations Change Requests (OCRs). 2. Provides an adaptable workflow approval of OCRs with routing through developers, facility leads, POIC leads, reviewers, and implementers. Email messages can be sent users either involving them in the workflow process or simply notifying them of OCR approval progress. All PIMS document management and OCR workflow controls are coordinated through and routed individual user's to do list tasks. A user is given a task when it is their turn perform some action relating the approval of the Document or OCR. The user's available actions are restricted only functions available for the assigned task. Certain actions, such as review or action implementation by non-PIMS users, can also be coordinated through automated emails.