Air Force can't do ERP

Tom Paine
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X-37B (courtesy US Air Force)

The US Air Force can do some amazing things. Just yesterday, it launched a classified military space plane (the X-37B) into orbit. And recent reports suggest the Air Force may be developing stealth drones. But it apparently can't successfully implement something that doesn't even leave the ground - a new ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system.

The Air Force recently announced it was cancelling the Expeditionary Combat Support System (ECSS) program, after a $1 billion investment. The program was built around Oracle ERP software, and CSC was the lead systems integrator. The ECSS program was established about seven years ago to streamline its current weapons systems availability logistics process that includes hundreds of logistics systems. Senators Carl Levin (D-MI) and John McCain (R-AZ), chairman and ranking member respectively of the Senate Armed Services Committee, wrote Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta on Dec. 5 seeking an explanation.

Not that this is problem is unique to the Air Force. Numerous other DoD ERP projects have struggled, including a massive one for the Army based on SAP software. This suggests the problem has to do more with the inherent complexity of the military enterprise, as well as the client's difficulties in reaching group decisions.




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