Accenture to Design and Implement Supply Chain Management Solution for U.S. Marine Corps

WASHINGTON; July 5, 2005 – The U.S. Marine Corps has selected Accenture to design and implement its new global supply chain and maintenance system.

The new system is part of the Global Combat Support System-Marine Corps (GCSS-MC) program, which is designed to modernize the Marine Corps’ logistics, supply chain planning, procurement and maintenance service capabilities. The GCSS-MC should also improve the tracking, transport and distribution of supplies from support units to Marine Corps forces around the world.

The first phase of Accenture’s work, which includes planning and analyzing the GCSS-MC solution, will be executed under a six-month, $4.5 million contract.

The global supply and maintenance system, to be based on Oracle’s E-Business Suite applications, is intended to deliver an enhanced logistics capability that integrates seamlessly with many existing Marine Corps and Department of Defense applications.

“The GCSS-MC is Logistics Modernization’s technology centerpiece. Instead of today’s requirement to learn and use multiple systems depending on the logistics need, this web-based system will provide Marines a single point of entry to access all logistics data. It will give them both global and cross-battlefield visibility and integration of information, resulting in greater operational flexibility,” said Lieutenant General Richard L. Kelly, Deputy Commandant, Installations and Logistics, United States Marine Corps.

The GCSS-MC program is expected to deliver a number of important new benefits to the U.S. Marine Corps, including:

• a Web-based, collaborative logistics system that will integrate currently disparate functions such as supply, maintenance, and logistics and will offer interoperability with other Department of Defense organizations;
• worldwide access by Marine Corps personnel to supply chain and maintenance information;
• proactive management of inventory and services, thereby helping to reduce carrying costs;
• reduced wait times for supplies and services for all Marines, whether deployed or in garrison; and
• reduced training time, allowing Marines to serve more time in forward-deployed operational forces.

“The Marine Corps has carefully planned for its next logistics solution utilizing leading-edge practices and lessons learned from recent operations to determine the detailed functional and technical requirements for GCSS-MC,” said Eric Stange, managing partner of Accenture’s Defense and Homeland Security practice. “Accenture is proud to help the Marine Corps achieve the logistics modernization goals that are so critical to its combat mission.”

About Accenture
Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Committed to delivering innovation, Accenture collaborates with its clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. With deep industry and business process expertise, broad global resources and a proven track record, Accenture can mobilize the right people, skills and technologies to help clients improve their performance. With more than 110,000 people in 48 countries, the company generated net revenues of US$13.67 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2004. Its home page is www.accenture.com.

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