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IFS applications makes first connection with Exostar for BAE SYSTEMS

17 Dec 2002

The first phase of a BAE Systems e-commerce project which links 'back office' production and scheduling systems to EXOSTAR, the global e-Marketplace for aerospace and defence, has gone live.

The Connections system, piloted by BAE Systems-IFS using IFS Applications software, is now available to all BAE Systems businesses and enables many different systems in use within the company to be connected to EXOSTAR for transactions and information exchange with suppliers and customers.

Stephen Burkitt, e-Business Programme Director for BAE Systems' Customer Solutions & Support business, explains the benefits: "The system will significantly enhance our ability to communicate with our supply base. It will reduce cycle times, processing errors and transaction costs, and places us at the forefront of supply chain integration in the aerospace and defence. We plan to bring more key suppliers onto the system over the coming months, and will offer even faster response to our customers once sell-side transactions are automated."

"This capability will electronically enable fully-automated procurement-to-pay as well as order-to-cash transactions between BAE Systems and multiple trading partners on Exostar. The one-to-many connection provided by Exostar brings major benefits in terms of efficiency and reduction of waste both for the customer and supplier."

The project has used the 'standard' messages available within IFS to connect BAE Systems' Customer Solutions & Support business to Exostar via BAE Systems corporate e-Commerce infrastructure.

The first phase of the BAE Systems-IFS project has focused on the following transactions between IFS and EXOSTAR:

* Purchase order send
* Purchase order change send
* Purchase order confirmation receive
* Purchase order change confirmation

The e-Commerce Connections project will see the implementation of a number of further phases with particular emphasis at this time on the following two main business processes:

* Invoice receipt from suppliers
* Incoming customer orders.

Simon Dowler, Managing Director of BAE Systems-IFS, said: 'This demonstrates the ability of BAE Systems-IFS to deliver solutions which enable customers to harness the benefits of the Internet.'