Australia's largest software company, Mincom, has won a deal to develop what is claimed to be the world's first fully deployable, fully integrated, tri-services military logistics solution for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

Under the multi-million dollar contract, Mincom will commence work immediately on the first stage of Joint Project 2077 (JP2077), which is to develop and refine options and costs for the upgrade of ADF's existing logistics system backbone. The JP2077 project will progressively deliver a fully integrated system referred to as Military Integrated Logistics Information System (MILIS).

According to Mincom CEO, Richard Mathews, Mincom and the ADF have agreed on a new software development model that will lead the world in establishing a common global defence industry solution.

"Traditionally, defence organisations buy software off the shelf and customise it according to their needs. When the base software needs updating, the cost of a new version plus the expense of further customisation is incurred," Mathews said.
"The Mincom model will foster the development of a common global defence industry solution. The software needs little customisation, reducing through-life support, costs and risks. Above all, it enhances interoperability – a critical factor for all of the global defence forces with whom we are engaged."

The JP2077 project will upgrade the existing logistics backbone and aims to improve information management and business processes in the supply, maintenance and finance areas. The existing logistics backbone is used to procure, manage, maintain and track asset movement through the logistics chain from ordering to operational end use within the ADF.

Mincom's says its success with the ADF and the depth of its service experience has helped the company to penetrate the global defence market in recent years.