In an effort to operate at the speed of war amidst the rapidly-evolving Information Age, the Army has unveiled an innovative new way of doing business. And its mission is clear– to simplify, streamline, and standardize business operations to increase readiness by improving sustainment under one unified system. A system that, by the time it is fully functional in 2027, will completely reinvent the way Army business is executed and reported.
This project is Enterprise Business Systems (EBS) Convergence, and upon completion, it will revolutionize the Army’s operational back-bone. The converged EBS will combine at least six of the Army’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) programs and massively improve system agility, capacity, speed, and efficiency. In the future, financial, business, tactical, and technological information will become seamlessly integrated – a feat that was thought to be almost insurmountable…until now. And now is the time for the Army’s Lean Six Sigma (LSS), Business Process Re-engineering (BPR), and Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) communities to get involved and offer their expertise.
What Is EBS-Convergence?
Led by the EBS Multi-Functional Capabilities Team (EBS-MFCT), a co-sponsorship by Assistant Secretary of the Army - Financial Management and Comptroller (ASA (FM&C)) and the Army Materiel Command (AMC), EBS-Convergence is a coalition established to drive ERP readiness and modernization by 2027. The effort will be supported by a cross-functional and matrixed organization that will not only address the imminent end-of-service life for the current Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems (Global Combat Support System - Army (GCSS-Army), Army Enterprise Systems Integration Program (AESIP), Logistics Modernization Program (LMP), and General Fund Enterprise Business System (GFEBS), but also capitalize on this timing to converge the disparate systems into a common, modernized platform that will more effectively enable Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO), Multi-Domain Operations (MDO), and other critical Army missions.
Why is EBS-Convergence important, and why should the Process Improvement community support it?
The Army’s current business systems lack agility, functionality, and capability to effectively and efficiently communicate between and among business processes and commands. EBS-Convergence addresses this critical need by delivering a multi-phase approach to the Army Business Operations Modernization (BOM) and ensures the seamless dissemination of information across the enterprise. And the Office of Business Transformation (OBT) will play a major role in its success.
OBT and the business process improvement and re-engineering communities will play an important role in the transformation of the Army’s business operations, systems, and processes. Whether it is through the development of new business strategy and policy, enabling governance, promoting best-in-class business practices, or leveraging unique expertise to improve the quality, efficiency, and productivity of convergence initiatives, the business transformation community is well positioned to support the success of EBS-Convergence throughout its lifecycle.
How can the Process Improvement community help?
EBS-Convergence is the future of the Army – and the project requires all of us to help ensure it is a success. The Process Improvement community is uniquely positioned to provide an invaluable and much needed skill set to the EBS-Convergence mission
So, what if you are unsure if you can be of help? Well, if you have the ability to work cross-functionally, engage holistically, and can find simple synergistic solutions to intractable problems, you are needed. Engaging with the EBS-Convergence teams may be your opportunity to make an even greater difference. Who knows? You may even end up shaping the future of the Army. What we do know for sure, is that if you do get involved, you will be part of a dynamic and exciting new effort to help the Army be Ready, Responsive, and Transformative in the years to come.
To find out how to get involved, send your questions to the MFCT mailbox (usarmy.pentagon.hqda-asa-fm.mbx.ebs-mfct@mail.mil). By reaching out and offering your expertise, you will become part of this ground-breaking effort and help transform the business of the Army.
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