How Business Intelligence Impacts Smes In The Defence Supplies Industry

SMEs participating in the defence supplies industry bring with them increased innovation

, agility and affordability. A subscription to reputable business intelligence services will ensure that SMEs have access to published tenders, enabling them to produce an appropriate reply and file it within the stipulated timescales.

Online defence business intelligence agencies provide the supplier community with a platform to access information regarding defence procurement activity. This is a technology-led innovation that provides organisations with the information they require to gain an edge on their competitors.

A contract sourcing service allows businesses to increase their focus on national and global expansion. They deliver daily email alerts and detailed contract information and market intelligence. In fact, such a tool has become essential for success in todays intensely competitive defence contracts marketplace.

Government policies in the UK have been favourable to SMEs in the defence sector. The process of contracting with the MOD has been made easier and less bureaucratic. For example, cutting the use of pre-qualification questionnaires and rolling out simplified template-based contracts for lower-value purchases has made the process easier for all concerned. The increasing use of eProcurement has also made transactions quicker and more straightforward.

The participation of SMEs in this sector results in increased innovation, agility and affordability. Small enterprises that are relevant to defence include companies offering food and drinks supplies, cleaning facilities and so on. There are also companies which produce hi-tech components which are an essential part of defence equipment. Some companies do not supply directly to the MOD, but to larger suppliers an example of indirect participation in defence contracts.

Online business intelligence services have ensured that tech-savvy suppliers will always be ahead of their peers. They will be quick in taking advantage of the opportunities such services present. Such services enable businesses to make early calls regarding their participation on upcoming contracts. If they decide to apply, they can begin work on their response immediately.

The MOD has taken several measures to make things easier for SMEs to participate in the defence supplies market. One such measure is the constitution of the Defence Suppliers Service (DSS), which works in an advisory capacity by operating a helpdesk facility. It replies to enquiries received from companies of all sizes, they provide an overview of how MOD acquisition is undertaken and the various procedures implied, and provide information packs about becoming a defence supplier.

Although such forums are useful, they cannot provide the critical advantage of a business intelligence service. Timely information is important in all businesses and especially in high-competition sectors such as defence. Moreover, such businesses will also provide advice on the framing of tender responses, which can be useful in clinching the final deal.

SMEs must provide assurance that they can sustain the necessary quality and reliability demanded by defence contracts. They need to adopt the harmonised standards and project management processes that will be essential for them to contribute substantially in the supply chain. If they are able to convince buyers of their sincerity and competence, they will have pretty good chances of securing contracts.

Private security companies interested in defence supplies need to keep themselves updated about the sector and prepare an appropriate response to published tenders to ensure that they are in contention for securing the contracts.

by: Fiona Campbell

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