Key support to help sustain Specialist Ships Branch transformation
04/05/2022
Background
Downer Professional Services (DPS) is supporting the Australian Defence Force in undertaking Australia’s largest ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) roll-out.
The roll-out includes a newly developed Defence and Security Module that has not been deployed anywhere in the world.
As part of the roll out of SAP, there is a need to clarify user and systems integration requirements with regards to logistics focused systems and processes.
The Material Logistics Function (MLF) of CASG (Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group) has been tasked with the responsibility of supporting the design and implementation of logistics functions of the future SAP functionality.
DPS has been engaged to provide a combination of logistics, data and specialist Defence systems expertise to contribute to the overall work being undertaken by MLF in support of the SAP roll-out.
What we did
Downer assembled a highly capable team with expertise in legacy systems such as MILIS, SAP architecture and Defence logistics processes.
The team engaged with the functional authorities within MLF, logistics specialists within the CASG domains and the ERP system integrator. Through this engagement, the team identified CASG’s requirements for ERP and facilitated ERP updates to meet those requirements.
To maximise ERP value to CASG, the team conducted a number of activities to improve functionality and define the impacts of functionality gaps, including:
- Functional Specification Design (FSD);
- Business Process Design (BPD);
- Data Value Mapping;
- Role Mapping; and
- Test planning for end-to-end scenarios and functional requirements.
Downer also prepared CASG for the transition to ERP through a range of activities. These included stakeholder workshops, data remediation, business impact assessments and transition action planning.
Results
Downer’s support for MLF has provided significant value for the whole of CASG.
The work has delivered improved logistics functionality from ERP, for example the improved warehousing solution.
The work to identify gaps in functionality has also been highly valued by CASG in the preparation for the transition to ERP. The data remediation and migration activities will facilitate a smooth transition from the legacy logistics systems to ERP when ERP “goes live”.
Potentially the most important result is the high level of business alignment achieved across the CASG domains in materiel logistics. This alignment will support the ERP roll-out and many other logistics initiatives moving into the future.
These important results were achieved through the formation of a strong technical team that engaged very well with MLF, CASG and the ERP system integrator.