The Global Combat Support System - Marine Corps - Research Paper Example

The Global Combat Support System - Marine Corps (GCSS-MC) broke through the cost and timetable in the enhancement of their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System. Furthermore, both the Navy and the Army have had some shortfalls and failures in their operations. The Air force, on the other hand, is re-standardizing their program. A huge question asks why all these things are taking place? Is there any way that the Enterprise Resource Planning Systems for all armed forces of the government, particularly the United States Marine Corps can be revolutionized? This paper shall explore on GCSS-MCs development in so far as enterprise, functional communication platforms is concerned. This paper shall demonstrate how important is revolutionizing the logistical reinforcement to the United States Marines Corps. Also, it will touch on other issues including the role of leadership in the implementation of the GCSS-MC, capabilities of GCSS-MC and its logistical functions, program management, and acquisition and related costs. When the Operation Iraqi Freedom was initiated, Marines has delivered logistical reinforcement to operational groups in some of the expanded and lengthiest communication links in the history of the United States Marine Corps. While it has succeeded, there have been manifold challenges along the way, which subtly suggested that the United States Marine Corps should revolutionize its logistical network "all throughout the different levels of warfare; strategic, operational and, most importantly, tactical" (Clemens et al., 2004). The prevailing USMCs logistics Information Technology portfolio covers more than two hundred forty (240) systems that can be managed and operated with either each other or with other services and offices (Clemens et al., 2004). In the course of the Operation Iraqi Freedom, the operation turned out to be deficient of aggregate asset and in-transit visibility and an insufficient dissemination method has failed to reinforce the central capabilities of the USMC, which is to plan warfare (Clemens et al., 2004). Eventually, USMC has founded the Global Combat Support System-Marine Corps or GCSS-MC. At a calculated height, GCSS-MC shall afford a way or course through which access for the complete array of support requirements can be obtained, attend to the prevailing logistics data technology gaps, and empower improved logistical reinforcement for tactical and operational units. Also, at the operational level, GCSS-MC shall afford completely "interoperable, deployable and tactical logistics command, control and execution system for all logistics functions" (Clemens, 2004). The Global Combat Support System-Marine Corps (GCSS-MC) delivers resources that support the actual operation requirements and "support discreet performance measures" Combined Arms Center, 2008), which is imperative in order to achieve an organized logistics alteration objectives. It is the technological focus and key feature of Logistics Modernization, which concentrates on consolidating a modern organizational model with restructured processes and cutting-edge technology. Marine Corps in battle necessitate a speedy and compliant logistics capability that is quick to respond to the current combat zone settings. The GCSS-MC is the solution to the significant operational requirement. Delivering an organizational, and a lone entry point for every logistical essential, the GCSS-MC presents progressive and advanced technology that reinforces logistical operations easing the transformation and upgrading of the obsolete logistical processes and methods. Important performance goals constitute lessened logistics response. Being the premier technology provider for the Marine Corps, the GCSS-MC serves as the "backbone for all logistics information" (Dwyer, 2012) that is necessitated by the Marine Air Ground Task Force. The heart is contemporary, profitable and marketable organizational resource development software. GCSS-MCs strategy is directed towards making it possible for a fighter to maneuver while being set up with "reach back" from the combat zone (Dwyer, 2012). GCSS-MC has been established and employed in increments. These increments are primarily created to replace old technological systems, including those four decades old maintenance information technology systems (Dwyer, 2012). The concentration of the prospective increments will be to improve the capabilities in the aspect of logistics planning, distribution, reinforcement, preservation, allowance and costs, and consolidation with the evolving technologies to enhance asset discernibility. Today, GCSS-MC continues to show improvement in promoting complete force implementation (GCSS-MC, 2009). Although the Field User Evaluation units carry out with the transaction on the system, another marine troop is in preparation for the GCSS-MC operations. What can be expected is that the troops will demonstrate what they have learned from the Field User Evaluation matching parts and is likewise taking the initiative with their cutover undertakings. Those who are involved in these activities shall conspicuously observe the advantages that GCSS-MC will carry to the logistical activities. The Role of Leadership Plays in the Implementation of GCSS-MC Transformation can be intimidating to some, particularly when it comes to programmed or automated information procedures. An efficient and stable leadership is particularly instrumental to running and supervising complex transformations (GCSS-MC, 2009). Leadership sets up the mandate, purpose and vision that are to be followed by all involved and associated, which keeps the Marines converged. Furthermore, by assuming active responsibilities and by the way of training and advising of transformed facets, which include "mid-level leaders or managers" (GCSS-MC), Marines acquire an elevated understanding for the clearness of the mandate, purpose and vision and how their every undertaking adds to fulfillment that gives rise to a successful operation and implementation. GCSS-MC competences and the performance of logistical functions The basic and rather unrefined competences of GCSS-MC have to be methodically integrated into the organizational-wide strategies and procedures. There are continuously being improved, however, the future of such operations is far more assuring. There could be instantaneous access to functional information, efficiently altering the manner in which maintenance actions are being measured. Operating preparedness shall likewise be almost instantaneous, which will allow the leaders, managers or commanders, as well as the staff to carry out an analysis of their individual mission; also, for them to develop a course of action accurately and speedily. Seen this way, it will be more difficult and thought-provoking for the Marines to input wrong source of information into the GCSS-MC, thus, cultivating the organizations accountability. Finally, this will found a cyclical account on the historical account involving functional equipment, which allows to calibrate and encode for means such as "., funding for depot-level maintenance, corrosion restoration facilities, corrosion service teams, and secondary repairable among others (GCSS-MC, 2009). Program Management in GCSS-MC IR Technology Services is reinforcing the Marine Corps PMIS on the general management and course of the Global Combat Support System-Marine Corps unit of systems. This attempt comprises of revolutionizing the United States Marine Corps logistical procedures, methods and structures to deliver an efficient and modernized logistics setting backed by an advanced information technology substructure. Basically, the United States Marine Corps will generate a common data setting by means of "enterprise level systems" using the web technology (Impact Resources, 2011). This program is postulate to cost at least 50 million dollars but will not exceed a hundred million dollars over the course of five years. Before IR Technology Services initiated this effort, the GCSS-MC which was comprised of uncoordinated and principally self-governing actions which include "business process engineering, pilot programs, and existing system enhancements" (Impact Resources, 2011). According to the GCSS-MC, IR Technology Services has (1) founded and leased a project management agency (2) produced a coordinated and incorporated, produced a coordinated and consolidated project plan, (3) created the first collection of systems of the United States Marine Corps in order to combine and carry under a principal supervision, (4) formed an efficiently supervised requirements procedures, (5) produced approximation techniques for making financial arrangements, (6) Facilitated the "project planning and requirements management sessions", and (7) founded and designed the first GCSS-MC website (Impact Resources, 2011). Moreover, IR Technology Services has also planned new and essential technical models for the United States Marine Corps that will decrease the logistical reinforcement for systems and to lessen the purchasing costs while increasing the systems operation efficiency and dependability. Moreover, through this reinforcement, the IR Technology Services is creating the necessity within the USMC for a systemized functionality to centrally operate and administer the "web and enterprise server operations for high availability (Impact Resources, 2011). A portion of this endeavor is necessitates matching up with outside organizations to form and transmit strategic information communications facilities and requisites which are vital in order to respond to the needs of the newly-developed system models. GCSS-MC acquisition and related costs One of the main case investigations of GCSS-MC is its engineering acquisition plans. Basically, a project proposal has been put forward, and which aims to implement an acquisition strategy needed for an important ERP implementation plan. In response to this proposal, leaders or managers have thought of the United States Marine Corps to provide a program that reinforces the GCSS-MC program agency, helping out in the acquisition support, management of the existing programs, and a comprehensive technical assessment and mentoring facilities. As a result, the GCSS-MC obtained a 120 million dollar funding in 2001. IR Technology Services was involved under a minor business reserved to set off and acquire funding for the GCSS-MC program. The goal of setting GCSS-MC up as an acquisition agenda and gaining 120 million dollars in funding were victoriously realized. From then on, the IR Technology Services has been arranging for a complete range of Systems Engineering and Technical Support (Impact Resources, 2011). Conventionally, IR Technology Services has utilized "two thirds to three quarters of the support staff" (Impact Resources, 2011) in this agreement and delivers leadership services in the fields of practical subject proficiencies, management of the requirements and portfolio, analysis of the Information technology substructure and architecture, and communications and transformation devising. IR Technology Service embodies the most ideal qualifications in the industry. The products and services that are being made available by the company for GCSS-MC have continuously allowed the program to sustain its impetus and comply with the complex requisites for "DoD 5000 Acquisition Management activities" (Impact Resources, 2011). Many methods and plans have been developed and provided in complete range reinforcement to recordings and certifications of program activities. Most of these documents will be utilized to affect changes to the prevailing orders of the USMC, policy resolutions, and methodical publications needed to maintain the successful execution and handling of the program. References Clemens, R.A., Griffin, K.K., & Grooms II, J.W. U.S. marine corps equipment readiness information tool: Usage and decision-support for performance based logistics [Pdf Document]. Retrieved from: http://calhoun.nps.edu/public/bitstream/handle/10945/9891/04Dec%255FClemens%255FMBA.pdf?sequence=1 Dwyer, A. (2012). Global combat support system marine corps (GCSS-MC):"Program overview and status [PDF Document]. Retrieved from: http://www.defenseinnovationmarketplace.mil/resources/GlobalCombatSupportSystem.pdf GCSS-MC (2009). The 1st MAW prepares for GCSS-MC: An interview with Col Michelsen. Retrieved from: http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sites/gcss-mc/ Hallam, A. Duality in consumer theory [PDF document]. Retrieved from Lecture Notes Online Web site: http://www.econ.iastate.edu/classes/econ501/Hallam/ index.html Impact Resources (2011). Global combat support system - marine corps (GCSS-MC) engineering. Retrieved from: http://www.impact-resources.com/node/45 Impact Resources (2011). Global combat support system - marine corps (GCSS-MC) program management. Retrieved from: http://www.impact-resources.com/node/26 United States Army Combined Arms Center (2008). Global combat support system marine corps. Retrieved from: http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/call/thesaurus/toc.asp?id=35700 Read More