Lab chooses hardware vendor for business enterprise initiative

Contact: James E. Rickman, jamesr@lanl.gov, (505) 665-9203 (02-016)

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LOS ALAMOS, N.M., Feb. 14, 2002 -- The U.S. Department of Energy’s Los Alamos National Laboratory has selected IBM to provide hardware for central computing systems that will help integrate, unify, modernize and streamline Los Alamos’ administrative operations.

The initial contract is worth nearly $2 million, and requires IBM to provide computer hardware that will replace the Laboratory’s entire administrative computing infrastructure. The equipment will form the hardware cornerstone of the Laboratory’s Enterprise Resource Planning system — a computer-based system that will standardize operational, thereby improving the way the Laboratory handles administrative functions, including financial records, personnel data, project management and facility maintenance.

Software for the ERP system is being provided by Oracle Corp.

Implementing an ERP system will help the Laboratory meet its objective of being a customer-focused, unified laboratory. An ERP system will allow the Laboratory to integrate business practices and financial controls and give managers access to timely data and facts. The full implementation includes financials, project management, human resources and facilities management, and could take five years or longer.

The Laboratory began the process of implementing an ERP system in August 2001. A team of Laboratory employees led by Charles Slocomb, Enterprise Project director, has been evaluating how best to design and implement an effective ERP solution.

The ERP team currently is in the process of selecting an external integrator to work side-by-side with the Laboratory’s project team. The integrator will help unify all crucial aspects of the Enterprise Project, from business process reengineering and cultural change through tool implementation.

Los Alamos National Laboratory is operated by the University of California for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) of the U.S. Department of Energy and works in partnership with NNSA's Sandia and Lawrence Livermore national laboratories to support NNSA in its mission.

Los Alamos enhances global security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health and national security concerns.