Regional

EDS Germany

When European military doctrines required Germany to transform its military capabilities for the 21st century, the German Federal Armed Forces enlisted EDS to deliver a best-in-class automated materiel tracking solution for the logistics supply chain. The integrated, real-time solution takes German task forces to a new level in preparedness while providing a decisive military advantage.

Germany called on EDS for an integrated view of its logistics supply chain
As the largest national contingent of the United Nations International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Kabul, the German Federal Armed Forces has devoted nearly 2,200 soldiers to combating terrorism in Afghanistan. Successfully ensuring stability and security, however, required that Germany and other participating nations commit themselves to enhancing their military capabilities via an ongoing transformation of combat and logistical support. A complete departure from the traditional military mindset and hierarchical organization structures, future military operations would no longer be materiel-oriented, but instead capability-oriented with responses planned and executed based on horizontally integrated, real-time information.

At the cornerstone of this transformation: a next-generation mobile communications and operations network offering greater transparency and logistical efficiency across the organization. A system of this caliber would arm Germany and other ISAF participants with the unprecedented ability to act decisively based on an integrated view of military needs from equipment and manpower to reconnaissance and intelligence. To make it happen, the German Armed Forces needed an IT partner to deliver a fast, flawless and cost-effective solution to manage its logistics supply chain. The German Armed Forces enlisted EDS for its global market leadership, technology expertise and cost competitiveness.

An automated material tracking solution ensured military preparedness
EDS set out to deliver its best-in-class materiel tracking solution, a highly innovative and proven technology for tracking materiel using telematics services and satellite transmission. Among EDS' responsibilities included integrating the German Armed Forces' logistical data warehouse and its legacy logistical systems into an enterprise-level supply chain management system, thereby delivering swift, seamless operational readiness.

Though the consolidation of these logistical systems within the new enterprise platform continues to be an ongoing long-term mission, EDS successfully launched the automated materiel tracking solution within just six months.

Today, materiel tracking provides Germany’s reaction forces with rapid, real-time data and a comprehensive view of materiel and supplies. With quicker, more viable logistics, the German Armed Forces has been able to effectively transition from a materiel-oriented operational structure to a capability-oriented one. That means a tank, for example, no longer has to depend solely on speed, greater firepower or better armor in order to overcome an enemy tank. Instead, the new materiel tracking solution enables the coordination of resources on several fronts – e.g. armor, aerial reconnaissance drones and soldiers – and integrates them into a unified, decisive response.

Enabling the seamless coordination of resources for a decisive response
The German Armed Forces' materiel tracking solution now ensures that the identification of all materiel and supplies is simple, secure and efficient thanks to automated bar codes. This in turn allows for thorough, round-the-clock tracking of materiel within the supply chain. Further, a robust real-time communications network lets officials of the German Armed Forces prioritize, monitor, analyze, deploy and deliver equipment and supplies based on a comprehensive, integrated view of military needs.

EDS has also ensured that the solution is economically viable by working with the German Armed Forces' existing legacy logistics systems, gradually migrating them to a standardized enterprise framework. Not only is the solution cost-effective, it provides the German Armed Forces with an optimal supply chain management tool where supply processes can be continually upgraded and enhanced as needs arise.

Successfully supporting 18 depots and transfer points throughout Germany, as well as military bases in Afghanistan, the German Federal Armed Forces' first real-time logistics solution leads the next era in global defense and military readiness.