WIREDGOV

MoD unveils online uniform ordering system

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE News Release (137/2008) issued by The Government News Network on 26 June 2008

Getting kitted out has just got easier, thanks to a new online ordering system being piloted by the MoD.

New Clothing Solution (NCS) enables servicemen and women not deployed on operations to order clothing on the internet and have it delivered to an address of their choice.

The pilot scheme has been running since the end of March 2008 with up to 3,000 troops at any time. The system gives soldiers greater accessibility as it draws on a central stock which ensures that all sizes are always available. It is faster - the target for deliveries is 4 working days and also provides a personalised catalogue as it stores the user's measurements for future orders.

Chief of Defence Materiel General Sir Kevin O' Donoghue, of the MoD's Defence Equipment and Support ( DE&S ) said:

"I have recently tried the ordering system for myself; I was very impressed by the ease and efficiency of the service. Men and women in the Armed Forces are used to the 24/7 self service economy and often require the flexibility and speed that shopping on the internet offers. The project is an excellent initiative to modernise the defence clothing supply chain."

W02 Mark Collacott of 3 Mercian Regiment which been taking part in the trials commented:
"The on line clothing system is a very effective scheme that supports the modern soldier not on operation to gain clothing in his own time. If the soldier cannot get access to an internet terminal at home, there are terminals in barracks so he can order at any time day or night. During our role as Land Warfare School Battle Group the quick turn round of clothing is ideal as it can be delivered to your barracks and collected at your convenience and we also have a procedure that the Company Quarter Master Sergeant can deliver whilst the soldier is in the field supporting Land Warfare School exercises. This is a positive solution for a very busy 21st Century Soldier."

The pilot will run until the end of November, planning for the next stage is going well and information from the pilot and historical data on the use of clothing is being analysed.
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