DoW Data Management Maximizes Resources

Department of War (DoW) management is complex, especially when you factor in each branch’s unique needs and challenges. Among all United States Armed Forces, foodservice is a central component. Whether it’s reducing plastic waste from food stored on ships or ensuring deployed soldiers have a warm meal in inclement weather, there are many aspects to consider at all levels, from mess halls to installation and headquarters. While proper food storage is integral to the nourishment of service members, it is crucial for the DoW not to overlook data management. Periodic financial reviews require each branch to answer the same question: “How did you use the funds allocated?”

Armed for Audits

Government spending necessitates careful tracking, especially when it comes to audits. In a report regarding the DoW Fiscal Year 2020 Financial Statements, the Office of the Inspector General affirms, “Continued progress requires sustained effort and attention throughout the [DoW], at all levels…[DoW] leadership should continue to stress the importance of the financial statement audits and adequate corrective action plans, as well as the need to develop efficient and effective business processes that can lead to accurate financial information and improve [DoW] operations.”¹

So, how does one collect and maintain fiscal data for accurate DoW data management?

By installing robust software solutions, DoW can eliminate manual management of production, inventory, nutrition, and point-of-sale. Automation streamlines processes, improves overall efficiencies, and produces greater data visibility at all levels of the organization. More importantly, electronically tracking data enables operators to analyze financial performance, make wiser budgetary decisions, and prepare for audit requirements.

Automation in Action

Consider, for example, the retail process at a mess hall. Certain service members have meal allowances, which means the branch must budget for them. A point-of-sale system enables a facility to:

Automate meal card and patron accountability processes
Determine eligibility
Improve headcount reporting
Record branch of service
Fulfill meal entitlement

Accessing historical DoW data management like meal headcount, ration entitlement, and eligibility can make foodservice programs’ audit processes smoother. What’s more, effectively tracking production reveals the progress of nutrition initiatives like Go for Green^® (G4G) and USMC Fueled to Fight^®. Healthier food choices correlate to enhanced performance, and numbers will show which dishes are popular among service members. Calculating item consumption also helps to forecast future production and therefore reduce waste.

Please visit Computrition’s military website for more resources, and feel free to contact us at info@computrition.com with any questions.

1 Department of Defense Office of Inspector General. “Understanding the Results of the Audit of the DoD FY 2020 Financial Statements.” https://www.dodig.mil/reports.html/Article/2514962/understanding-the-results-of-the-audit-of-the-dod-fy-2020-financial-statements/. Accessed 3 November 2021.