LTC Jens Rumpel (DEU A) and MAJ Dariusz Stanek (POL A) talk about the Corps’ new Command and Control Information System SZAFRAN – its implementation and challenges involved.
Anna Gałyga: Sir, can you explain what SZAFRAN actually is?
LTC Rumpel: SZAFRAN is a Command and Control Information System (C2IS) that enables information exchange between different Headquarters. It makes it possible to receive orders and plans from higher Headquarters, to analyze them and forward them to subordinated units. Additionally, the system contains a lot of other data that eventually give a common picture of the situation. It is necessary for the Headquarters to be aware of all actions on the battlefield.
How does this communication with other Headquarters work?
LTC Rumpel: SZAFRAN is a MIP-complied system and MIP stands for Military Interoperability Programme. It means that SZAFRAN has the ability to exchange information with other C2ISs. Although every NATO Headquarters might have a different C2IS, they all have to find a common language and, simply saying, this is the MIP language.
At the moment SZAFRAN is being introduced into the Headquarters. What does this implementation look like?
LTC Rumpel: The implementation should last for 200 days to make the system fully operational. We have started testing functionality and interoperability of the system. In other words, we are checking if the system is able “to talk” to other systems. Our aim is to customize the system to the exact needs of this Corps.
Are there any stages of this implementation process identified?
LTC Rumpel: Yes, the first stage is testing basic functionality of the system; the second will be customizing the system to our needs and then testing the final results again.
Which stage are you in right now?
LTC Rumpel: We are in time with the implementation schedule. At the moment we are in the middle of the first stage.
Who participates in the implementation of SZAFRAN?
LTC Rumpel: We have set up an implementation group and every Staff Division of our HQ has sent their representatives there. We also have experts from PIT (Przemysłowy Instytut Telekomunikacji – Telecommunications Research Institute), the company delivering SZAFRAN. They help us to implement the system and to train our people. The personnel from the Headquarters actively influence the content of this training. We are working together and this explains why this implementation is called “a project”.
You said that the systems enables communicating with other Headquarters, does it mean that other HQs are also involved in implementing the system?
LTC Rumpel: At the moment no other HQs are involved but of course this will change during different exercises when SZAFRAN will also be tested.
Coming back to the implementation, what challenges in this process have you noticed?
LTC Rumpel: It is very challenging to install a system like SZAFRAN because of a lot of tests to be conducted. Another thing is that a lot of people need to be involved and everything is being done in parallel to our normal staff work. It is especially important now because we are also preparing for the exercise Crystal Eagle.
From the technical side it is a challenge as well because the system gives a new “framework” to our work. We will get a complex tool that will not only support our work but also change our procedures – the way we are used to creating orders or plans. For example if there is a need for a new plan, somebody creates an empty document. This will trigger the process of creating new orders and plans. Our staff divisions are expected to add their parts in different areas of expertise. If the system shows a map for instance, there will be several layers on this map containing different information, such as our own situation, the enemy’s situation, the logistical situation, Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) etc. After all appropriate parts are added, these layers are put together and a very complex picture of the situation is drawn automatically. 
Does it mean that every member of the Headquarters can access the system?
LTC Rumpel: Every member of the Headquarters will have a general access to the system, if necessary. Different people within their roles will be responsible for the content placed in the system. But it might happen that someone will be able to access and edit one part of the system whereas other parts will be read-only or not visible at all to him. Different roles go together with different rights of accessing the system.
MAJ Stanek: The system is quite flexible in terms of getting permission to access. For example G-3 as an “operational” Division will get a common picture including force ratio etc but G-4 Division, responsible for logistics, will not be able even to read it.
Do you think that the implementation of such a complicated system will be accomplished within only 200 days?
LTC Rumpel: We do not expect it to be prolonged, the implementation shall be finished by the mid of July 2008.
When will the system be tested?
LTC Rumpel: The main tests will be conducted at the end of the implementation phase, in May and June this year.
Will the system be also used during exercises?
LTC Rumpel: In general we will test the system in every exercise, which gives opportunities “to talk” to other HQs.
MAJ Stanek: We will have such opportunities during exercises like Steadfast Cathode, which is an exercise for NATO countries only, and also during more technical exercises, like CWID (Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration).
LTC Rumpel: CWID is an exercise, during which all technical systems meet. The aim is to test if these systems are able to exchange data.
It is also planned to use SZAFRAN to a certain extent during the exercise Crystal Eagle 2008.
MAJ Stanek: The summer 2008 is the time when a lot of newcomers arrive to our Headquarters. It is the main summer leave period, too. Another issue is that normally it would last longer than 200 days to implement a system like SZAFRAN, so the time we have is just minimal. That is why we cannot make it shorter to allow the planners to get familiarized with the system. Therefore SZAFRAN will not be the primary tool for the exercise Crystal Eagle 2008.
When will SZAFRAN become the main tool for the work of the Corps’ personnel?
LTC Rumpel: The time frame is not very fortunate. Everyone has to concentrate on legacy systems that are available at the moment and this is not SZAFRAN yet. Newcomers will face both – the old and new system used at the same time. That is why I think that no sooner than after the exercise Crystal Eagle we will really start using SZAFRAN within our HQ.
