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.
Notes to Editors: