Sun Microsystems and IFS Defense have joined forces to deliver an advanced logistics platform of software and hardware to Aerospace and Defense (A&D) organisations.
"The Sun and IFS Defense solution includes fully integrated business and asset management modules that support complex configuration management and maintenance requirements found within air, land and sea environments," says Lodewyk de Beer, solutions architect at Sun Microsystems SA.
He adds that this is another example of a pre-configured solution that helps reduce the cost, complexity and risk of technology deployments by providing a complete, tested set of products that can be rapidly and predictably implemented.
The solution consists of IFS applications running on the Sun Java Enterprise System and the Solaris Operating System (OS). IFS applications support the management and control of defence assets, programmes and resources throughout their lifecycles. A library of specific components for project tracking and product data management addresses the needs of the army, navy and air force as well as the organisations that support them. The solution offers support for providers of contractor logistics support and performance-based logistics to meet the needs of maintenance, repair and overhaul service providers and outsourcers.
The Sun and IFS Defense logistics solution streamlines processes and facilitates collaboration throughout the value chain from design and conception to asset disposal. The solution is built on standards-based technologies, and provides a stable, secure foundation upon which organisations can exchange information.
"In today's global defence environment, companies need to find ways to free up working capital and reduce costs," comments Simon Dowler, CEO, IFS Defense.
"IFS Defense is providing its unique component-based solution on Sun's open software system to improve efficiency and drive down costs through universal, real-time access to extended supply chain and product data anytime, anywhere."
De Beer continues: "A deeper technology alliance is the foundation for delivering the level of flexibility and dependability that defence organisations require to run a more lean operation within rigorous compliance regulations. Running on the Sun Java Enterprise System and the scalable Solaris OS, the IFS and Sun defence solution provides rapid, adaptive deployment of services and secure sharing of data across disparate information systems."
Bringing Java Web and application services together, Sun's Java Enterprise System complements the scalability and integratability of IFS Applications and supports its modularity in full. Sun and IFS have demonstrated near linear scalability and performance up to 15 000 simultaneous users or 390 900 business transactions per hour for IFS Applications running on Sun Fire servers. "This performance achievement is the result of a strong engineering alliance and long-term commitment from Sun and IFS," De Beer concludes.
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IFS Defense was set up to specifically target the defence market. It is a standalone company with some 200 personnel based predominantly in the UK, SA and Norway, and it combines world-leading software technology with extensive expertise in defence logistics management systems, sophisticated asset maintenance and logistics solutions.
IFS Defence Ltd also has a specialised software development facility based in Pretoria. The South African development team is now being used to complement IFS's mainstream IFS Applications development including development of specialist applications for the defence industry.
Sun Microsystems, Inc
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