The importance of a proper
supply chain strategy has been highlighted by the fact that the Ministry of Defence's (MoD) IT systems have a critical risk of failure that could lead to front-line shortages.
A report by the Public Accounts Committee found that 40 per cent of deliveries to overseas troops in the six months to November 2010 were delayed by 30 days or more.
It highlighted a failure to collect the basic information that
supply chain transport planning requires and warned that this has been a direct contributor to the department's accounts being qualified.
While the Future Logistics Information Service initiative – which is to be introduced before 2014 – is expected to remedy these issues, there will still be a period where the data has to be stored in the unstable systems.
The report stated: "Against the background of repeated failures to get to grips with asset tracking and allied information systems for logistics, it is vital that the MoD sustains its programme in order to secure value for money."
Earlier this month, research published by CIO.co.uk highlighted the fact that supply chain transport planning in all sectors of the economy is increasingly reliant on high-quality IT for its success.
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