Commercial software developer Mincom Africa has secured a contract with the Tanzanian People`s Defense Force (TPDF) to provide it with an asset management enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution.
This is according to Mike Evans, MD of Mincom Africa. He says the TDPF is using the ERP Mincom Ellipse solution, which is fully integrated commercial software, usually used in military organisations because of its efficiency in a mobile situation.
The solution can be used in the field, "which is an important aspect for military operations that take place away from headquarters," says Evans. Data can be collected in the field at times of combat, collated and synchronised back to headquarters, he notes.
Evans says there is a growing trend in many defence institutions to implement IT solutions to create efficiency and growth. "Defence forces are relying more and more on ICT advancements to effectively maintain and support deployed military forces."
Asset utilisation
Installing sound asset management systems within the military will lead to areas of improved asset utilisation, more effective scheduled maintenance and minimal disruptive breakdowns, explains brigadier SC Rioba, chief of logistics and engineering at TPDF.
Evans says Mincom is the only ERP provider for TPDF, and is working closely with a local Tanzanian IT company, Radixgear, to implement the software and training solutions. "All the solutions are being manufactured in SA, and are then deployed and channelled through Radixgear."
The contract represents one of Mincom Africa`s largest defence force deals to date, the company says. The TPDF is the second defence force customer in Africa to choose Mincom`s ERP solution, following the Botswana Defence Force`s implementation of a similar solution in 2004.
Mincom boasts the Australian Defence Force, Canadian Defence Force, Chilean Navy, Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Britain`s Royal Navy, US Coast Guard, CAT Logistics (supplier to the US Marine Corps) and Kwajalein Range Systems (supplier to the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command) as other defence force customers.
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