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Section Links:
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| What is this Chapter about?
Key Points
The Detail
What is DECS?
The Contract
Purpose |
Connectivity
Security Standards
Alternatives to DECS
Summary
Are there any background documents? |
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| What is this Chapter about? |
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This chapter describes the Defence Electronic Commerce Service and
summarises the role of DECS and the arrangements between MOD and
Cap Gemini Ernst & Young (CGE&Y).
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| Key Points
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DECS is a long-term public/private partnership between MOD
and CGE&Y;
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DECS is an enabling platform for hosting a variety of e-commerce
and business services;
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The DECS platform can also be utilised by MOD’s Trading
Partners (TPs) for hosting Business to Business services;
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DECS is a MOD-wide initiative: it is not limited to Defence
Logistics Organisation business;
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DECS is here now – the MOD’s electronic purchasing
(see Chapter 6) is conducted over the DECS platform and a Shared
Working Environment is available to MOD and industry through
DECS.
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| The Detail
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| What is DECS?
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| DECS VISION |
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A partnering arrangement between CGE&Y, MOD and Industry to
enable Defence to drive down costs through the delivery of world
beating business services.
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| DECS MISSION |
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To enable MOD and Industry to achieve efficiency savings and improve
capabilities through the delivery of application services and guidance
on best commercial practice.
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| STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES |
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1 To deliver services that:
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deliver value for money to MOD and its suppliers
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enable MOD and its suppliers to achieve increased efficiencies
and savings exploit the
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DECS design and infrastructure investment
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| 2 To propose ways in which the MOD, Other Government
Departments (OGDs) and Trading Partners can maximise benefit from
DECS capabilities.
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| 3 To seek operational efficiencies and continuous
improvement in the delivery of DECS services.
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| 4 Become an integrated, high performing team that
effectively manages the delivery and exploitation of DECS capabilities.
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| 5 To ensure that DECS capabilities are exploited
across the whole of the defence community.
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| The Contract |
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The DECS Contract is a ten year public/private partnership between
MOD and CGE&Y, with an option to extend to up to fifteen years
in total. It was launched in July 2000 by then Defence Minister
John Spellar. The contract is managed by the DCSA CBA/IPT on behalf
of the DLO and the Senior Responsible Owner is Director General
Strategic & Logistic Development.
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| Purpose |
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DECS is a key enabler in the creation of a Defence Community e-Business
environment by providing an e-business hub to allow the incremental
addition of future services to meet both MoD and trading partner
requirements. This will ensure that DECS rapidly evolves into an
e-Business environment where information is shared collaboratively
for the mutual benefit of MOD and its trading partners.
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| The Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO), created
to bring together the three separate armed forces logistics organisations,
and with an overall budget of £4.6M per annum, regards DECS
as essential to achieving its efficiency targets. The Defence Procurement
Agency is also a key stakeholder and will become a significant user
of the SWE and future collaborative working services.
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| Connectivity |
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The DECS Platform is a physical realisation which has been specifically
designed to meet the requirements of a complex and secure business
environment. Connection to the DECS Platform is available via the
MOD’s Restricted LAN Interconnect, the Internet, Value Added
Networks (IBM, BT and AT&T) and EXOSTAR (a major electronic
marketplace created for the aerospace sector). DECS enables the
MOD’s trading partners to interact with the MOD using a range
of technologies, including web browser and Electronic Data Interchange
(EDI), this allows individual trading partners to select the method
of communication most suited to their business needs.
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| Security Standards |
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Security and confidentiality is a pre-requisite to utilising electronic
communications in the Defence sector. This applies not just to issues
of national security, but also to the protection of intellectual
property and commercially sensitive material. DECS complies with
the MOD security requirements, as outlined in JSP 440 - the Manual
of Protective Security, and also provides rigorous but pragmatic
solutions for ensuring commercial privacy which reflect best commercial
practice.
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| Alternatives to DECS |
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Whilst DECS is the main platform through which the MOD securely
connects with industry there are various alternatives for both MOD
IPTs and Industry. One such Government approved supplier already
delivering secure collaborative working solutions (SWE) for critical
projects in the aerospace and defence sector, including MOD IPTs
, is UltraSBS. Their solutions can be delivered over the RLI and
developed to meet the specific needs of individual IPTs.
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| Summary |
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DECS provides MOD and its trading partners with opportunities to
work collaboratively, and to drive out efficiencies in pursuit of
mutual benefit.
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| Who should I contact if I want to find out more? |
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For further Information contact the DECS service desk;
Tel: (0870) 241 3569
e-mail: decs.servicedesk@cgey.com
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| For further Information on UltraSBS contact: |
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Marie McCarthy
Tel: 01772 325290
E-Mail: information@ultrasbs.com
Web Site: www.ultrasbs.com
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| Are there any background documents? |
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The DECS web-site can be accessed at www.d2btrade.com.
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