General Dynamics’s [GD] Advanced Information Systems (AIS) said July 8 it is inviting technology providers to participate in a new initiative, GDNexus, to match innovative solutions with existing customer needs through an online, rapid-review collaborative process–initially for cyber needs.
Registered members can now propose technology responses to validated customer requirements from across the defense, federal, intelligence and commercial markets.
The approach will help customers reduce acquisition risk and accelerate time-to-mission while creating new sales opportunities for companies that might otherwise not supply to the government, the company said in a statement.
The first set of customer Needs Statements is posted and available online now.
“General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems’ GDNexus is a collaboration environment that is 100 percent virtual and can be accessed by registered members anytime, anywhere and from any location,” Nadia Short, vice president, Strategy and Business Development of General Dynamics AIS, told Defense Daily. “GDNexus’ online portal provides us with the opportunity to deliver innovative technologies and solutions from a diverse supplier base to directly help customers navigate the ever-changing cyber landscape. With our initial efforts focused on meeting customers’ needs in the cyber domain, GDNexus enables defense, intelligence, federal and commercial customers to rapidly adapt to their evolving mission by integrating mature, relevant and most importantly, affordable solutions to meet immediate needs. Future areas of focus include the maritime and ISR domains, growing to reflect the capabilities our customers require to successfully execute their missions.”
The new initiative allows the company to partner with experts from multiple industries, and is another way General Dynamics uses new tools to meet customers needs.
“General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems’ GDNexus and General Dynamics Land Systems’ Maneuver Collaboration Center are both dedicated to enhancing customers’ missions through innovation and collaboration,” Short said. “The Land Systems’ Maneuver Collaboration Center, which opened in 2010, is a unique 20,000 square feet facility with a 24/7 virtual community that enables rapid and agile innovative solutions for military vehicle platforms.”
Registered members of the GDNexus community receive immediate notification when new customer Need Statements are available and may respond through the online portal with relevant products or solutions. The GDNexus team then reviews the responses, performing a rigorous evaluation, and provides the customer with an assessment of how the tools can support their mission. The team also provides detailed feedback directly to members to help improve their product strategy and align technology roadmaps to better anticipate and meet future mission needs.
Current member companies registered to help customers keep pace with technology advancements includeNetApp and RSA, The Security Division of EMC.
“Our customer’s mission remains our number one priority. GDNexus is the culmination of our customer-centric open business model come to life,” Short said. “GDNexus also provides another important mechanism for us to act as an honest broker, bringing innovative technologies to our customers quickly as a prime systems integrator.”
GDNexus allows technology providers to engage with General Dynamics’ subject matter experts who have honed their skills supporting hundreds of customers on thousands of missions in a wide variety of domains. This valuable insight and unique perspective, coupled with the seasoned mission experience of General Dynamics’ experts, will provide GDNexus members with a competitive edge in meeting critical government customer requirements.
Companies interested in learning more about GDNexus and becoming members of this collaborative community of innovation should visit www.GDNexus.com.