The Defence industry has many requirements that businesses must meet before they can supply goods or services. This makes it hard for Defence Primes to find the right suppliers quickly. It also makes it difficult for small and medium businesses (SMEs) to break into the industry.

To continue to improve procurement processes, Hellios Information, JOSCAR and The Industry Platform (formerly known as BenchOn) have teamed up. Our new partnership – as featured in Defence Connect – is streamlining Australian Defence Procurement by making it easier for Defence Primes to find reliable suppliers and helping SMEs get noticed by big buyers. By collecting JOSCAR’s supplier accreditation details in The Industry Platform’s smart matching platform, they are making the supply chain process simpler and faster.

Register now for Australian Digital Defence Industry Matrix (ADDIM) our successful pilot open market portal for the Defence Industry. The platform is free for suppliers and very affordable for those looking for people and products for their projects. Over 60% of the industry is already on board.

Why Is This a Problem?

Getting new suppliers approved in the Defence sector is a slow and complicated process. Every supplier must prove that they meet strict rules and industry standards. A report by the Australian Industry Group in 2022 found that inefficiencies in this process can cause delays of up to 30% in getting projects ready.

For SMEs, it can be frustrating to go through all the steps to get certified, only to struggle to find work with Defence Primes. Even when they are approved, they might not know how to connect with potential buyers.

That’s where the JOSCAR and The Industry Platform (formerly known as BenchOn) partnership comes in. The Industry Platform (formerly known as BenchOn) does the capability matching and industry mapping, and JOSCAR does the vetting and certification. This creates a complete market vetting and canvassing process to help create speed to capability in the supply chain.

The Industry Platform + JOSCAR is the answer

With this collaboration, Defence Primes, using The Industry Platform’s online platform, will be able to search for suppliers based on their JOSCAR certification. This means they can find suppliers that have already been approved, streamlining Australian Defence Procurement by making the whole process much faster and easier.

“The Industry Platform’s collaboration with Hellios, through its JOSCAR system, is another example of industry working in unison for the advancement of all,” says Tim Walmsley, CEO of The Industry Platform (formerly known as BenchOn).

“Our AI-powered industry matching platform removes the guesswork and time delays for Defence Primes who need to be focused on the job at hand.”

Tom Maund, Australian Country Manager for Hellios, agrees. “By collaborating, we’ll provide Prime Contractors using The Industry Platform (formerly known as BenchOn) with a quick and easy way to identify qualified suppliers who have demonstrated compliance to Defence industry requirements.” he says.

How does this help our Australian Defence Primes?

For Defence Primes, this partnership makes it much easier for you to find the right suppliers. Instead of spending a long time checking if companies meet the necessary standards, they can simply look for suppliers that are already JOSCAR-certified. The Industry Platform (formerly known as BenchOn) suppliers will be updating their profiles over March.

Here’s what Defence Primes will get:

• Enhanced Supplier Visibility: Access to a centralized database of Defence suppliers within the The Industry Platform (formerly known as BenchOn) portal.
• Risk Reduction: Greater confidence in supplier compliance with industry regulations and standards.
• Operational Efficiency: Faster supplier onboarding, leading to improved project timelines and cost savings.

How does this help suppliers in our Defence Service Industry?

For small and medium businesses, this partnership makes it much easier to be onboarded by Defence Primes. If they have JOSCAR certification, they can add this to their The Industry Platform (formerly known as BenchOn) profile, making them more visible to big buyers.

Here’s how suppliers will benefit:

• Easier Market Entry: A clear pathway to connecting with major Defence buyers.
• Reduced Administrative Burden: The Industry Platform (formerly known as BenchOn) is a single, centralised system that eliminates the need for multiple, redundant procurement processes.
• Increased Business Opportunities: Higher chances of being matched with relevant Defence projects.

If your organisation is still relying on a manual supplier registration process for every project, our latest blog on why the supplier registration process for every project is slowing industry down explains what needs to change.

What’s Next?

This partnership between JOSCAR and The Industry Platform (formerly known as BenchOn) is set to make streamlining Australian Defence Procurement even easier. The Industry Platform (formerly known as BenchOn) users will be prompted to update their supplier profiles with their JOSCAR accreditation over the next month.

The Industry Platform helps you stand out in Defence

Navigating the Defence industry can be overwhelming, but The Industry Platform (formerly known as BenchOn) makes it easier for businesses like yours. Our Workforce and Industry Portals connect your capabilities with the right opportunities, ensuring you’re always in the mix for projects that match your strengths.

Register now for Australian Digital Defence Industry Matrix (ADDIM) our successful pilot open market portal for the Defence Industry. The platform is free for suppliers and very affordable for those looking for people, products for their projects. Over 60% of the industry is already on board.

Also follow our LinkedIn page for upcoming events that bring Defence contractors and SMEs together throughout the year.