PPM Capability Installed, Not Being Used
April 2, 2010 
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April 1st was set to be an important milestone in the increased use of DPS. The addition of the PPM capability promised to increase the usage of DPS substantially, giving it the capability to handle approximately 70% of current shipment types. This important update was installed into the DPS system as scheduled, however the PPM capability is not yet being utilized by the services.
In our earlier post on this subject, we discussed the need for an update to the JFTR in order for PPSOs to start booking PPM shipments (and any shipment with a PPM element) in the DPS system. The JFTR change has not been made, apparently because the services were not fully ready to commit to using the PPM capability in DPS. The decision to start using DPS for PPM shipments is complicated by the fact that it is an all or nothing proposition. Once the JFTR language is changed, it will not be possible to go back to booking PPM shipment in TOPS if something goes wrong in DPS. There is no fallback option for the services once the switch has been made.
The reason for the services’ hesitation to start utilizing the PPM component in DPS on April 1st has not been stated, but we have heard it may have been due to a DPS software patch related to PPM that was installed earlier this week. Without the time to fully test the new patch, and the lack of a fallback option, the services may have decided it was too big of a risk to start using PPM capability on April 1st.
The next question is when will the JFTR change occur, enabling PPM shipments (and shipments with PPM components) to be booked in DPS, resulting the increased DPS shipments TPSs were anticipating. The date being mentioned most often is April 15th, although we have also heard May 1st mentioned as a possibility. Until that occurs, TSPs should be expecting the shipment volume in DPS to remain relatively steady.
Related Posts
- No Fooling: DPS to Increase Capability on April 1st - March 18th, 2010
- PPM Order Marks the Start of DPS Ramp-Up - April 15th, 2010
- DPS Launch Schedule Update - March 17th, 2008
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