SumTotal Systems, the industry’s largest provider of learning and business performance technologies, processes and services, today announced that Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS) has selected the company’s platform to deliver critical training and drive readiness within the U. S. Coast Guard’s Integrated Deepwater System (IDS) program.
The IDS is a multi-year, multi-million dollar effort to modernize and replace the U.S. Coast Guard’s fleet of ships and aircraft, and to improve command and control and logistics systems in maritime regions. It is the largest recapitalization effort in the Coast Guard’s 213-year history.
SumTotal was selected by ICGS, a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman Ship Systems. ICGS was awarded the IDS contract in June 2002. SumTotal is a subcontractor to Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems & Sensors business, a partner in ICGS, and the domain lead for logistics systems development under the IDS program.
To ensure the success of the historic project, ICGS is implementing only best-of-breed technologies, including the SumTotal Enterprise Suite. ICGS evaluated more than 50 learning and performance management solutions and SumTotal was chosen for its flexible, robust and highly secure solution to create, deliver and track personalized training requirements, qualifications and certifications for 15,000 active duty, on-ship, in-air and support personnel.
“Integrated Coast Guard Systems is committed to modernizing the U.S. Coast Guard’s Deepwater program through a combination of innovative technologies and platforms, enhanced systems and innovative logistics support,” said Alex Rodriguez, ICGS System Training Lead. “It was imperative that we find a long-term provider with a strong financial position and the most compelling and innovative business solutions. SumTotal offers a superior combination of content management and analytical capabilities that will drive maximum operational effectiveness and minimize total ownership cost, our two critical business drivers.”
The central goal of the U.S. Coast Guard is optimal manning, or having ships and aircraft 100 percent manned and 100 percent trained, 100 percent of the time. SumTotal will provide a centralized, Web-based environment for administering learning prerequisites, managing registration and tracking completion of online, classroom and simulator courses ranging from fire safety to radar and weapon systems training. SumTotal’s robust set of capabilities helps manage the complexity of certifications and manning requirements, while reducing costs and cycle time in creating courses, sharing critical knowledge and readying personnel.
SumTotal also will facilitate mobile learning environments accessible to personnel on U.S. Coast Guard cutters that are docked, close to shore or even out to sea. Courses and information will be downloaded to the cutter, allowing personnel to continue learning at-sea, just as if connected to the on-shore system. Upon their return, the system will synchronize their learning results completely. SumTotal’s analysis and reporting capabilities are designed to measure and manage key performance parameters and update personnel records in real-time, including qualifications by job function and number of “schools” completed.
“The selection of SumTotal for the Integrated Deepwater System underscores our commitment to elevating the preparedness and leadership of organizations in both the public and private sectors,” said R. Andrew Eckert, CEO of SumTotal Systems. “We are honored to team with Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Coast Guard and to contribute to the overall value, results and success of a program that directly supports ongoing Homeland Security efforts.”
