British Defence Logistics selects BAE Systems-IFS

High growth Swedish enterprise software (ERP) developer IFS has done it again. Its joint venture with BAE Systems (BAE Systems –IFS) has been selected as the preferred application supplier for the UK Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO) Requirement for Unit Material Management (DRUMM). The news follows IFS’ recent train of success, notably with huge orders from General Electric and General Dynamics, as well as Eurofighter, BAE Systems itself and the Royal Norwegian Airforce and Navy. BAE Systems-IFS is to start with a verification phase for the programme, which is the final stage of the DLO’s assessment process culminating in the Equipment Approvals Committee (EAC). DRUMM will control the tasking and scheduling, maintenance and modification of all British Army unit equipment around the globe. The DRUMM system forms a cornerstone of the DLO’s modernisation programme and will interface with a number of new systems, including the Defence Stores Management Solution (DSMS). To meet its target of a 20% reduction in DLO costs by 2005 and to sustain continued improvements in the longer term, the MOD is seeking greater value for money through co-operative solutions to the provision of support. BAE Systems-IFS will achieve this with an Internet based infrastructure providing ‘factory to frontline’ connectivity. The system, built on IFS Applications with extensions for defence, will be accessed by some 20,000 users across the British Army.