IBM suspends action on stricken RAF Lits project

IBM last week halted work on part of the RAF's controversial Logistical IT Strategy (Lits) project.

Lits' problematic cost management software, which was to provide financial accounts, was an important part of the massive u400m project to control worldwide delivery of spare parts to the RAF.

Following talks with the RAF, a 30-strong team from Coopers & Lybrand, Logica and software house Time Open Systems, has been disbanded.

Work started on the cost management component of Lits two years ago.

IBM now blames the pace of change in the RAF for the project's demise.

Yet insiders claim that users continue to back Agresso, an old, character-based accounts package that remains in place. IBM is now evaluating the latest GUI-version of Agresso.

In a confidential memo sent to staff on 4 November, Colin Aldridge, IBM's programme director for Lits, warned that the RAF was considering alternative proposals. These, he warned, would result in some development being 'suspended indefinitely'. A week later the project was suspended.

Aldridge told Computing that cost management was an important, but small part of Lits. 'Where work might be going down the wrong direction, we're suspending it,' he said.

'The initial study of Agresso will be completed by the end of the year.

You don't want to waste the customers' or your own money where you are not sure if it's the right thing to do.'

Lits is intended to interface with other RAF and MoD IT systems. In his memo, Aldridge said that 'failure by the RAF to place orders for interfaces' was also causing problems.Aldridge added that the RAF was 'evolving pretty rapidly and a lot has happened in the past year'.

The MoD's u134m Capital change management contract, awarded to Coopers & Lybrand in May, also appears to have affected the decision. Capital will replace the MoD's management planning, accounting and financial management.

An insider told Computing there were rumours that senior IBM staff were 'dissatisfied' with Lits' progress and 'didn't think it was moving fast enough'.

News Week, page 24.

THE LITS STORY

Late 1980s Lits project is conceived

June 94 IBM wins contract to develop Lits

September 94 IBM dumps the Ingres database, as it is bought by Computer Associates, for Informix

August 95 The RAF issues IBM with a 90-day ultimatum to save Lits from massive cost overruns

July 96 Insiders claim Lits is suffering from poor management and slipping deadlines. IBM dismisses claims

August 96 Leaked report reveals growing dissatisfaction, MoD discusses exit options. RAF attacks project management as 'inept at times'.