DECS
Defence Electronic Commerce Service (DECS)
What is DECS?
DECS is the principal portal and interface used by the Ministry of Defence to conduct business electronically with its commercial Trading Partners. The DECS solution, provided by Capgemini under a ten-year Public Private Partnership, provides a secure interface through which the MOD and its Trading Partners can transfer data and share information electronically as recognised and required by the Defence Industrial Strategy. Trading Partners can connect directly to DECS using standard Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) or via an EDI solution provider or through the Exostar business network that has a direct relationship with DECS. The connectivity option is the choice of the Trading Partner to meet their own business needs based on their levels of business with the MOD and their own internal electronic capabilities.
DECS Services
DECS is not a system; rather it is the collective term for a range of hosted services which provide specific business to business capabilities that allow the transfer and sharing of information in an assured and controlled manner between the MOD and its industry partners.
Purchase to Payment (P2P)
Using a core Oracle 11i operating capability the Purchase to Payment (P2P) service is central to the MOD-wide change programme to modernise and standardise Departmental procurement capability and purchasing processes. P2P enables the automation of the order, delivery, invoice and payment processes and with integration into the MOD supply chain will become a primary trading requirement of all MOD contract activity.
Catalogues
A new service has recently been delivered to host and manage electronic catalogues within the DECS infrastructure serving both the MOD and non-MOD communities. MOD contract managers can now provide their customers with visibility of purchasing options and the facility to order direct through the P2P and DECS links. Catalogues are currently provided to support Medical Supplies, Communication Software, Hardware and Services, Stationery and Temporary Staff Recruitment. Further catalogues are planned for Technical Services, Clothing and other Indirect Category product ranges.
Bulk Fuels Inventory Solution (BFIS)
BFIS provides the MOD with a single, fully integrated system for managing all aspects of the procurement and supply of bulk fuels.
DECS Collaboration Programme (DCP)
Recognising the increasing need to share knowledge, information and all forms of data the DCP provides a set of services, available on a menu basis, to support collaborative working between the MOD and its partners, for example Shared Workspaces, Project Management and Workflow. The service is commonly provided to support specific contracts or projects with security assured through the DECS portal and access controlled by the strict management of users and seats.
DECS today
Over 750 MOD Trading Partners are now connected to DECS and capable of trading electronically with the MOD. DECS provides the means to standardise the way in which Trading Partners deal with the MOD, removing the inconsistency between contracts and different parts of the MOD, automating traditional paper-based processes and speeding up all transactions, including payment.
For more information regarding DECS visit the Capgemini-sponsored website www.d2btrade.com
