IFS has signed a contract with Oracle USA, Inc, to provide the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) portion of an integrated logistics system that Oracle is delivering to the US Air Force. In accordance with the Oracle contract, the system will support 250 000 users of the Expeditionary Combat Support System (ECSS) program.
ECSS is a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software system established to improve weapons systems availability by streamlining the current Air Force logistics process. The system will replace and perform the functions of more than 500 logistics systems that the Air Force currently uses.
The Oracle team is providing a logistics system consisting of IFS` MRO solution, an enterprise resources planning (ERP) solution from Oracle, and an advanced planning and scheduling (APS) solution from Click Commerce.
"We were called upon to deliver a comprehensive software solution that would achieve the goals of the ECSS program," said Mark Testoni, Regional Vice-President, Public Sector Application Sales, at Oracle. "We turned to IFS because they have a robust MRO solution for the aerospace and defence market. We look forward to continuing our partnership with IFS to support the transformation of the armed forces and enhance the agility of our war fighters."
ECSS will allow commanders at all levels in the logistics chain to automate the process of gathering logistics data, interpreting that data, and making decisions on a near real-time basis. It will provide an integrated set of enterprise resources planning (ERP) and advanced planning and scheduling (APS) applications that allow the Air Force to accomplish its logistics mission, which is to provide the right materiel to the right place, at the right time, in the right quantity, and in the right condition to support global military operations.
"The Air Force can no longer view logistics processes in terms of functional areas but as a single integrated logistics enterprise," said Col Thomas Hamilton, ECSS programme manager. "ECSS will combine the hundreds of programs that make up the Air Force logistics process, which provided only fragmented insight into the logistics chain, into one integrated and interoperable system."
"We are pleased to partner with Oracle in one of the more significant defence deals in the enterprise software industry," said Cindy Jaudon, president and CEO of IFS North America. "Our involvement in the ECSS program demonstrates IFS` leading position as an MRO provider to the aerospace and defence market.
"IFS has been offering industry-leading MRO and EAM software solutions for over 20 years. Because our software is built on open, component-based architecture, it easily integrates with Oracle and other leading enterprise software packages and point solutions. Asset- and project-based companies in many industries are benefiting from the industry-specific functionality that we have developed for the A&D market."
Aerospace and defence is one of IFS` targeted market segments. IFS Applications includes advanced standard functionality that meets the demanding requirements of the armed forces. IFS` fully integrated MRO, performance-based logistics (PBL), project management, fleet management, supply chain management, and other IFS Applications components help to ensure asset visibility, sustainment, and availability - three key objectives in managing weapons systems for optimal combat readiness. IFS also provides an industry-specific solution for defence manufacturers that helps companies manage the design, manufacturing and ongoing spare parts logistics and maintenance support of complex products throughout the product lifecycle.
IFS customers within the aerospace and defence industry include the British and Norwegian defence organisations as well as the Eurofighter consortium. Commercial MRO shops and operators include Finnair, Bristow Helicopters, Aero-Dienst Gmb H, Hawker Pacific, and Jet Turbine Services. In addition, IFS provides solutions to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, BAE SYSTEMS, Saab Aerosystems, and GE Aircraft Engines.
The total licence value for IFS, including maintenance fees, is expected to amount to over $13 million over six years, out of which $1.2 million, including services, is expected to be recognised as revenue in 2006.
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