New Delhi, October 10, 2006 (Business Standard)

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) today announced go-live of integrated materials management online services (IMMOLS), a nationwide systems integration project addressing computerisation needs of inventory control and logistics management of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Involving an investment of Rs 55 crore, TCS Immols has been implemented in a distributed manner at the IAF stations to replace the current manual system for materials management.

S Ramadorai, CEO & MD, TCS said, “We are excited about this project which is set to revolutionise the way IAF manages its logistics and materials. The project exemplifies synergy between public and private partnership in a true sense and results from IAF’s vision to adopt newer technologies to bring in greater administrative efficiencies.”

Speaking on the occasion, defence minister Pranab Mukherjee said: “This software can also be introduced in the Army, Navy and other para-military forces for better cost management.”

When asked whether TCS and the IAF would market Immols in the global market, Ramadorai said: “We have received proposals from a few countries, but before accepting them we would try to get the clearance from the government.”

In all, around 130 IAF sites are networked by TCS Immols which took a concrete shape in 2003 when the company carried out pilot implementation on 22 IAFsites, said Tanmoy Chakrabarty, vice-president ( global government industry group), TCS.

TCS IMMOLS comprises two key components. First, the custom designed application software to cater to all aspects of materials management. Secondly, infrastructure to cover nationwide installation of computing platforms, campus LANs and other hardware equipment.

TCS Immols will not only obviate concerns of the IAF on stockouts, delays, dependencies on individuals and inaccurate communications, but will also bring in a host of benefits like effective materials management, assets visibility for better utilisation of available resources and reduction in inventory levels.