CES focuses on command and control

Canberra based CES Computers has carved itself a niche in providing command and control support systems packages to Defence. The company's work as a sub-contractor to ADI on the deployable joint task force headquarters recently installed aboard HMAS Manoora drew praise for its quality and timeliness.

With around 40 employees and a turnover of $20 million per annum, CES falls squarely in the definition of a small to medium enterprise (SME). While life as an SME can be tough competing against larger companies, CES is turning its size into an advantage. With a broad skill base but an SME's short management decision cycle, CES claim maximum flexibility with which to exploit opportunity.

CES has interests in both commercial and defence work and this is reflected in its core capability which is systems engineering and installation of combat, combat-related and business support systems. According to CES the company offers a complete package including design, development and integration of hardware, software and middle-ware, in addition to providing through life support for its products, which includes authoring the necessary technical documentation.

This capability is solidly founded on the company's core technology which it describes as, "high availability, secure and reliable combat and IT support systems in the Windows NT environment". CES is not a supplier of the many specialist sub-systems, such as data links, that are necessary in combat or business command support systems, it provides instead complete solutions and the infrastructure necessary to run the various sub systems.

A fully-equipped build room and workshop represents the "coalface" at CES and toiling here are one system architect, 12 engineers, one programmer, three workshop technicians and two technical writers.

The list of Defence projects in which CES has, or had, an involvement is long and growing. At the time of writing it consisted of JP 2030 - Joint Command Support System, JP 8001 - Raising Headquarters Australian Theatre (HQAST), JP 2030- HMAS Sydney JCSS - Afloat, JP 2056 DJFHQ -Afloat (HMAS Manoora), JP 2030 - DJFHQ - Land, JP 2030 - Air Command Support System, JP 2030 - JISS, Sea 1297 - Mine Warfare Deployable HQ (MWSC), HQ Deployable (East Timor), Coalition-WAN and finally the design and manufacture of a RAAF Remote Operational Node.

One CES engineer recently spent a significant period at sea aboard HMAS Manoora to ensure that the "afloat" element of the DJFHQ was delivered within the specified schedule.

Equipment rack design and development is a CES speciality, and the company claims to have the only C-Class rack that has been certified by Defence, ASIO and DFAT. These racks are an in-house design and are manufactured for CES by another Canberra-based company ensuring close control over quality and flexibility in supply. The company's range includes standard cabinets in addition to specialist designs for confined spaces, unique requirements or harsh environments.

CES is seeking to leverage off its Defence work to win business with other government departments and the private sector. Industry segments such as banking or insurance that conduct a large number of necessarily secure transactions are a natural market for the company's capabilities.

According to CES's Defence account manager Mr Ian Farrant, "The end goal for CES is to be known as a reliable and flexible operator, able to work effectively as either a prime contractor or support partner. The company is seeking good, robust and enduring strategic alliances to add to those it has already forged."

By Daniel Cotterill, Canberra