Accenture Helps U.S. Department of State Extend Global Supply Chain Program to 200 Additional Sites

On any given day, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) deploys approximately 25,000 men and women to represent American foreign interests around the world – many assigned at a moment’s notice. Easing that fast-paced and fluid deployment of staff and goods is an award-winning global supply chain that enables a seamless process from the time diplomats pack up to relocate to the time they arrive at an embassy for their latest assignment. Developed and implemented for the DOS by Accenture Federal Services, the Integrated Logistics Management System (ILMS) streamlines logistics support for diplomats and embassies across the globe, ensuring that U.S. officials have what they need, where they need it.
 
Accenture and ILMS recently helped the Department achieve two major milestones: extending the ILMS program to more than 200 additional sites in its global network and enhancing program functionality by adding fleet and expendables management modules.
 
“The system has revolutionized the way the State Department does business by setting a new standard for supporting key services and speeding essential goods to diplomatic personnel around the world, helping the department accomplish its mission,” said Ron Ash, who leads Accenture’s work with the State Department.
 
The ILMS Fleet Management Information System now tracks the State Department’s worldwide fleet of more than 14,000 vehicles and supports overseas motor pool operations with a standardized, web-based solution. The department has increased the efficiency of its vehicle management, helping meet federal mandates for tighter control of vehicle-related expenses. System-generated reports have replaced manual reports, saving time and money, and individual embassies and consulates can track and access real-time vehicle use data, supporting the safe transport of State Department and other agency personnel.
 
The materials and supplies needed to maintain these vehicles and 350,000 other items that keep embassies and consulates running smoothly now are included in ILMS. Capturing these “expendable” items in ILMS allows department procurement and property officials to better manage inventory by identifying purchase and shipping at diplomatic posts. The system also uses real-time supply chain analytics to help prevent overstocking supplies and manage expiration dates of in-stock supplies.
 
Since its inception in 2000, ILMS has delivered $319 million in cost savings to date, with projected additional annual savings of $154 million. ILMS has been credited with several additional benefits:
 

• Eliminated more than 25 antiquated IT systems.
• Realized a 14 percent reduction in Diplomatic Pouch and Mail outbound transportation rates, saving the Department $1.4 million annually.
• Supported more than $10 billion in annual procurement spend across more than 450,000 transactions.
• Manages more than 200 million pounds of annual freight valued at $170 million.
• Tracks nearly 4.8 million assets totaling more than $6.3 billion.
• Provides support for more than 33,000 users across the United States and at 264 posts in 176 countries.