DOLLARS & SENSE
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MCE AND MFOCS FOLLOWS A SERIES OF OTHER MOVES BY PM JBC-P TO REDUCE DUPLICATION OF SYSTEM CAPABILITY AND CREATE A MORE SEAMLESS USER EXPERIENCE.
eliminated the need for separate program management elements such as contracts, satellite channels and operational costs. In FY12, the transition showed a cost avoidance of almost $20 million; that figure is expected to exceed $30 mil- lion per year through at least FY16 for a total cost avoidance of approximately $152 million.
Even before the transition, the cul- ture of efficiency at PM JBC-P set the stage for greatly improved capabilities at lower cost. Although MTS had sepa- rate software and hardware, it shared the same networking technology with FBCB2/BFT, and, after a 2006 Army memo directed the use of the FBCB2 product line software to replace the MTS software, PM JBC-P worked with MTS leaders to choose common hard- ware. Now, with the same network and hardware, they could complete the efficient integration leveraging the FBCB2 product line software to create JCR – Logistics. With this new capabil- ity, maneuver and logistics
forces can
share situational awareness and mes- saging, forming a complete operational picture. JCR – Logistics installation was completed on platforms in Afghanistan between October 2012 and March 2013.
Te more than $152 million in cost avoidance from the transition of the MTS program office into PM JBC-P also created an opportunity for new forward-looking efficiencies in product
104
support. PM JBC-P eliminated software tests and support for an evolving MTS baseline; it combined test, support and sustainment functions, which saved almost $1.7 million per year. For units, this single software baseline allows users to migrate between systems without the burden of retraining.
PM JBC-P also realigned field support representatives (FSRs) and help desks for two systems, MTS and Tactical Ground Reporting (TIGR), which is now part of the JBC-P family. By transitioning the MTS system of using regionally based FSRs to PM JBC-P’s system of dedicated FSRs who train and deploy with the bri- gade combat team, the number of FSRs was reduced. Additionally, the JBC-P fielding team expanded its mission to include installing the systems identified in the MTS basis of issue plan. Te two alignments avoid costs of more than $11 million per year.
PM JCB-P also eliminated a fully manned, 24/7 MTS network operations center and its contingency backup site, which were consolidated into the two existing government JBC-P sites that run 24/7. Likewise, the PM incorporated the 24/7 help desk for TIGR, eliminat- ing the need for two contractor-owned help desks and a help desk for the Battle Command Support and Sustainment System. Tese efforts have avoided costs, including overhead costs and personnel, without affecting operations.
JCR and JBC-P both leverage existing hardware and other system components, saving significant taxpayer dollars. JCR, which the Army is fielding now, brings a faster BFT 2 satellite network, secure data encryption, USMC interoperabil- ity and improved chat messaging. Once fielded, JBC-P will add touch-to-zoom maps, drag-and-drop icons and a Google Earth-like interface. Trough the BFT2 network, JCR and JBC-P enable beyond- line-of-sight communication among dismounted Soldiers, vehicles, aircraft and higher headquarters.
For more information, go to
https://jbc-p.army.mil/jbcp/menu.cfm (Common Access Card login required).
CONTRIBUTORS: COL Michael Turston, PM JBC-P; LTC (now COL) Bryan “BJ“ Stephens, then-product manager (PdM) for Blue Force Tracking; now-retired LTC Mark R. Dan- iels, then-PdM JBC-P; and Mr. James Steinberger, chief, Business Management Division, PM JBC-P. In May 2014, PM JBC-P merged with PM Mission Com- mand (MC). Turston is now the PM MC.
Tis article was condensed from the original version published in the September-October 2013 issue of Defense AT&L magazine at
http://www.dau.mil/ publications/DefenseATL/DATLFiles/ Sep-Oct2013/Turston_et_al.pdf.
Army AL&T Magazine
July–September 2014
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