IT companies pushing to catch defence deals

IT firms like TCS, Wipro and Infosys are looking to grab the lucrative offers from the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force worth Rs. 2000 crore as defence forces make efforts to develop their processes and become more efficient.

Familiar sources confirmed that both IAF and Indian Army have issued several Requests for Proposals (RFP), to invite tech companies to bid for these projects. Officials at Indian Army and IAF have confirmed that their organizations are seeking suppliers declining to elaborate more.

"The main purpose is to bring efficiency and reduce cost, time and paper work. There are hundreds of IT projects going on, including one for automating human resources. We give certain projects to private companies, but there are also some projects, which are confidential and can?t be outsourced to anyone," said an Indian Army spokesman.

Confirming tech companies bid for these projects, an IAF spokesman said "E-maintenance of assets and material management are among top projects being considered. The significance of such projects is that it plays a key role in logistics maintenance and is vital for sustaining operational capabilities and material management. For example, if you need to change and supply critical spares for the aircraft, such IT-integrated systems can give constant update, and help us react quickly and reduce time and costs."

Computerized Inventory Control Project (CICP) and Integrated Materials Management Online System (IMMOS) are the two big IT projects pursued currently at the IAF and the Indian Army. Business software makers SAP and IFS Defence are currently exploring an integrated ERP opportunity at these organizations.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software will help IAF and Army track and maintain the inventory, creating them more efficiently by responding to the changing needs of modern warfare.