Global Logistics and Supply Chain Strategies - May 2008 - (Page 54)

Promoting Security Through ACE, Global Movement Management BY ALAN HEATH Alan Heath is a partner with IBM Global Business Services Public Sector Practice and its Border Management and Security Solutions Team. Visit www.ibm.com. T wenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, “global movement management” systems shuttle goods and services, capital and labor, and bits and bytes around the globe to provide the substance of daily life: jobs, wages, food, electricity, education, news and information, and leisure and entertainment. As a result, nations and economies are becoming increasingly integrated and interdependent. Today, policy makers, business leaders and security professionals are focusing on these similarities as the key to developing sound strategies for improving the performance, security and resilience of global movement systems. Those who have managed and operated portions of the global movement system—on the front lines in government or in the private sector—almost universally agree that we need to leverage how we use technology to simplify work processes and make human activity more effective. One effort by the U.S. government to simplify work processes and employ technology to make work more effective is the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system developed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. CBP is the agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of U.S. borders at and between official ports of entry. The dual mission of Customs and Border Protection is to protect U.S. citizens from terrorist activities and other threats to public health and safety, while facilitating the movement of lawful trade across U.S. borders. ACE supports Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security mission-critical functions, providing the capability to meet strategic objectives and responsibilities. Security Improvements, Performance Work Together in ACE The ACE system works at the interface between national security threats and the global trade environment where increased risk and volume have placed unprecedented demands on CBP personnel and resources. The ACE Program is designed to provide the right information to the right people at the right time and place to protect citizens, sustain economic vitality, and maximize efficiencies gained through technology solutions. ACE modernization is an enterprise-wide initiative that includes sweeping process and technology improvements across Customs and Border Protection. It touches nearly every CBP employee, as well as the trade community, participating government agencies and the traveling public. The ACE Program also brings an enterprisewide approach to planning, defining, developing, and implementing new business processes, designed to increase national security through accurate, available data and promote seamless trade processing, quota enforcement and collection of duties, taxes and fees. It has dramatically streamlined Customs and Border Protection processing of imports and exports with automated administrative and formerly paper-based functions. The ACE modernization program continues to leverage robust technologies and global best practices to provide the capacity and flexibility to address critical trade and security requirements. Throughout this program, Customs and Border Protection has built and implemented innovative releases with sophisticated technology designed to achieve the twin goals of securing our borders while facilitating trade. The ACE Program began in 2001, when Customs and Border Protection partnered with the private sector to help develop ACE as the centerpiece of a multiyear modernization effort. This next generation technology is being built with significant input from the trade and transportation community, and in collaboration with a diverse team of leading information technology and consulting partners. The ACE Secure Data Portal is essentially a customized, secure web site for authorized users that connects Customs and Border Protection, the trade community, and participating government agencies by providing a single, centralized, online access point for communications and information related to cargo shipments. ACE Demonstrates Improved Security, Economic Performance The Automated Commercial Environment serves nearly 14,000 ACE portal accounts, including more 54 MAY 2008 http://www.ibm.com

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Global Logistics and Supply Chain Strategies - May 2008 Contents Editorial GL and SCS Exclusive Fast Forward Up Front Cover Story: 'Be Prepared Is Motto that All Companies Should Follow When It Comes to Recalls Here and There 1+1=One Opinion Can't Happen Here Industry Voices

Global Logistics and Supply Chain Strategies - May 2008

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