Defence outlines IT project plans

The Department of Defence has outlined key IT proposals it wants the Federal Government to fund over the next four years.

Projects include an enterprise content management system; developing of a network operations centre to manage, monitor and secure its voice and data networks; personnel and finance system upgrades and identity management.

They are part of the Defence Capability Plan, the department's attempt to be more transparent with its spending to benefit Australian industry.

It runs for 229 pages and is available for download here [PDF].

Defence said it wants to "maximise Australian industry participation in the acquisition and sustainment of ADF capability" to buy products and services locally to achieve better value for money.

"The Government's ... policy is to ensure that as much of the defence budget is spent in Australia as is practical," the report said.

"Through the application of the Australian Industry Capability program, Defence seeks to ensure that [the] Australian defence industry is given the opportunity to be part of all contracts over $50 million."

The opportunities for local IT industry participation include:

Project CERTE (JP2099) - Designed to establish a common electronic identity across Defence business systems and achieve data integrity using smart cards and public key infrastructure. It includes systems integration and support, middleware development and sourcing of commercial off-the-shelf hardware and software.

Defence Management Systems Improvement (JP2080) - Enhancements to personnel and financial information systems. IT service providers to build off-the-shelf systems but a decision isn't expected for a couple of years.

Computer Network Defence (JP2068) - Phase 2B.2 of a project to secure Defence voice and data networks, requiring hardware and software. Local industry will provide systems design, development and integration.

Wide Area Communications Network replacement (JP2047) -Phase three of the project won't be decided until 2014-15. Its aim is a standard network for fixed and deployed locations.

Project Eden document handling system (JP1544) - Buy, select and implement an electronic document and records management solution to meet Defence's compliance obligations for record keeping. Defence wants it before 2013-2015, pending Government approval.