Retrofitting Engineering Information Systems (EIS) to Older Military Facilities in Saudi Arabia

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Abstract

This research aims to explore the retrofitting of engineering information systems to older military facilities in the KSA. It would also assess the safety in the newer systems against the promotion of efficiency and reliability. This research is based on qualitative secondary research. The research was based on secondary data collection. The data was extracted from various journals, articles and books. Qualitative research was used for proposed study. The research is likely to expose the major and minor weaknesses in the risk strategies and the unpreparedness of the departments in dealing with the retrofitting challenge because there is a perception that newer products needs to be overhauled as opposed to being retrofitted. Another major issue would be the cost and benefit analysis of the key decisions on what has to be replaced and what not. As much as the research is a technical one; there are management issues of authority, budgeting and strategic leadership from government and the military.

Table of Contents

ABSTRACTII

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Background1

Research Problem1

Aim2

Objectives2

Researcj Questions3

Methodology3

Scope4

Structure of Dissertation9

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW10

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY31

Research Method31

Justification of chosen metthodology32

Data Collection33

CHAPTER 4: ANALYSIS AND SYNTHESIS34

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION49

Recommendations51

Limitation of the study56

REFERENCES58

Chapter 1: Introduction

Background

There are many military facilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) that have been developed over the years. Because of the vastness of the KSA, these facilities are dotted across the 2 million square kilometers area (Al-Ibrahim and Varnham, 2010) of the country and are used to serve the public in many ways. However, because the vast areas of the country are “uninhabited desert and that the climate is harsh and dry with great temperature extremes” (Al-Ibrahim and Varnham, 2010) there are operational constraints for the facilities at military bases that need retrofitting so that their performance efficiency could be enhanced. The desert climate does not only impact the operational aspects of the bases but increases the consumption of energy to operate the bases.

Research Problem

Taleband Sharples (2011) observed that in the current form, facilities for the KSA fall under the category of the most unsustainable because they have a high consumption of energy and fresh water; and that they have a high degree of social and economic impact on the users. If the buildings are new, they can be designed to be “climate-responsive” facilities, argues Taleb and Sharples (2011); but if the facilities are old and require a high security consideration, retrofitting could be the only option they may have to make the facilities climate responsive. There is a sharp contrast in the way facilities are operated in other countries; for the KSA much of the energy is spend on air conditioning and refrigeration purposes. However, for older buildings the facilities may not perform as well as they could because of the physical constraints associated with existing built environment. In addition, the military bases are located in areas that could be harsher so that there is security for the nation. If the issue of retrofitting is viewed from a ...