IFS, the global enterprise applications company, has signed a deal with Babcock, part of Babcock International Group PLC, the engineering support services company.
Babcock is an engineering design, systems integration and support contractor specialising in the provision of engineering design services, systems integration, project management and in-house testing for Australian defence customers.
Operating out of two locations in Australia, Adelaide and Perth, the Babcock team is now updating its integrated business system which will enable further efficiencies by reducing duplication, automating processes and ultimately provide an overall view of how the business is performing at any one time.
“The team was coping with disparate systems to process everything from purchase orders to updating progress reports. We knew that to support and grow the business over the coming years we needed a new integrated system, as part of our on-going investment and development of the business here in Australia. It was clear IFS understood our business and our industry very well and provided an excellent solution for our needs,” said Patrick Donovan, Babcock’s Systems & Equipment Managing Director, whose team is involved in the development.
The first phase of the project is underway with the implementation of IFS Financials, HR, Contract Management, Distribution, Project Management and Service applications. The second phase of the project which will include the implementation of complex MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) and workshop operations modules will start early 2011.
Babcock has been an IFS customer globally for ten years. IFS Applications are currently being used in Babcock operations in the UK, the US and Canada and the company expects to roll out IFS in other countries over the coming years.
“Risk management is a top priority for companies working in the defence sector, as they need to ensure every ship, submarine, plane or piece of equipment is working as it should, is repaired properly and maintained. IFS’ excellent track record in the defence sector and the understanding we already had of Babcock’s business meant we could respond with a proven solution that was tailored to the needs of the Babcock team here. We are very pleased to be working with Babcock in Australia and look forward to growing our footprint in the defence industry over the coming months” said Rob Stummer, Managing Director, IFS, ANZ.