The Item Definition DEX focuses on the information around two main subtypes of Item Definition; Item of Supply (c.f. Stock Item) and Part Definition. By using the DEX the suppliers may communicate information around parts to be available in physical storages, inventory systems and maintenance systems using a standardized data exchange format (PLCS PSM XML). The Part Definitions of each supplier are then codified and classified into what becomes Items of Supplies, uniquely identified by the Swedish Defence Item of Supply Id (FBET) and recognized by all national defence authorities (the Item of Supplies are also codified using NSN and Cage codes, for international purposes).

The business process for which the DEX provides information is summarized in the SysML activity diagram in Figure 1.