CSI, Inc. provides consistent IT program management and Integrated Vehicle Health Management (IVHM) to the U.S. Department of Defense and commercial clients. Manufacturing Digital finds out more
Written by Militza Richard & Produced by Sean Bakke
In today’s computer saturated world, IT management is more important than ever. For most companies, technical difficulties can be catastrophic, incapacitating employees and slowing productivity. For the U.S. Department of Defense, faulty equipment can be deadly. It is vital that IT systems and vehicles remain in peak condition for the safety of both soldiers and civilians.
That’s where Coalition Solutions Integrated, Inc. (CSI) comes in. A 100 percent woman-owned small business, CSI provides IT support to both the DOD and commercial clients, ensuring their systems and vehicles run smoothly and saving their clients money in the process.
MILITARY EXPERTISE
Headquartered in the tech quarter of St. Mary’s County, Maryland, CSI was founded in 2002 by husband and wife team Carolyn and Lawrence (Buzz) Milan after Buzz retired from the government following more than 30 years of service. With a background in accounting and finance, Carolyn, CEO, handles the business aspect while Buzz, Senior Managing Director, oversees the technology side.
Drawing on years of experience in the logistics program of NAVAIR developing aeronautical and related technology for the Navy as well as an MBA from George Washington University, Buzz continues to develop and improve IT management and Integrated Vehicle Health Management (IVHM) systems. With a focus on design and procurement, the CSI team identifies safety risks and inefficient systems, so that they may be fixed before becoming problematic.
“The nation’s been at war for eight years, using equipment and wearing it out substantially,” Buzz explains. “We mine the data from the vehicle sensors to show trends of wear on equipment.” Once this data is collected, CSI can teach companies how to properly utilize it to improve safety and increase the life of the machinery.
In fact, it’s the interpretation and translation of the data that is the hard part, says Jeffrey Woell, Manager of Integrated Vehicle Health Management Programs. Woell — who boasts 27 years in the defense industry and 23 years as active duty Navy mostly working in the airborne sector — explains that CSI began with a focus on the Built-In Test (BIT) systems in aircraft, but has since shifted to more of the interpretation of those systems and their integration into the supportability systems of the client.
“Our focus is on interpretation of data and making more accurate decisions,” he says. After an analysis of system health, the “approach is to integrate engineering and logistics to optimize system performance. We identify variation drivers in systems through application of trend analysis for proper treatment at the appropriate repair level.”
In other words, CSI uses analysis tools on digital systems to identify safety risks and then advises customers on how to eliminate those risks. While the tools are important, it’s more about a cultural change. The data is useless if clients don’t know how to integrate it into their existing business processes and make policy adjustments.
“How we apply it to the decision making process is what has been most effective for our company and our clients,” says Woell. “We have a lot of cool tools but customers don’t realize the full benefits if they don’t fully understand how to use them.”
SATISFIED CUSTOMERS
Having cleared secret level with top-secret clearance pending, CSI continues to focus on customer service. On a recent Department of Defense project, they improved overall fleet health by a factor of four, but they continue to search for further improvements.
“We see the future as continuing to help the government identify areas they can improve their performance in,” says Buzz.
Amie Bothwell, Manager for Marketing and IT Programs, agrees. “People typically expect an IT project to be over budget, over schedule and under performing,” she says. But CSI is trying to change that through effective and consistent application of project management best practices and standards and a highly-skilled workforce as proven with their very satisfied clients.
“When you’re talking IT projects, there’s a lot of dollars and the systems affect every aspect of the program. We manage the risks, provide increased visibility and management capabilities, manage software/systems development lifecycles and get our customers back on track for cost, schedule and performance,” states Bothwell.
As CSI looks toward the future, they plan to add even more services to continue providing their clients with management and decision making skills. In addition to expanding their IT project and portfolio management, the company is also expanding their IVHM offering to include submarines and ground vehicles as well as planes.
And while Buzz anticipates that the cuts in the defense budget over the next few years could be a challenge, he is confident that CSI will continue to save their clients money while allowing them to maintain a sufficient level of readiness.
“Everybody claims to do this, but not many people produce,” says Buzz. “We have happy customers. We are trying to stay as efficient as possible and keep our market edge.”
HAPPY EMPLOYEES
In addition to pleased customers, CSI also has happy employees. “Working in a small business you see a direct impact from the work that you do. You wear multiple hats but you get that satisfaction,” says Bothwell.
Woell echoes her sentiment, saying, “You can ask questions and get mentorship at any time, and you are allowed to learn the other aspects of the business. At a bigger organization they would just ask for the IT stuff and that’s it. There’s no chance to really get outside of your area of expertise.”
Both Bothwell and Woell agree that much of this cooperative environment is thanks to the efforts of Carolyn Milan. “I come in every morning and talk to everyone,” she says. “I think it’s a pretty neat environment. Overall, I think people are excited to come in. And people do better work if they are appreciated.”
Woell, himself a CSI employee, sums it up saying, “People feel like they are contributing something positive and that they are appreciated for it.”
FACTS AT A GLANCE
COMPANY: Coalition Solutions Integrated, Inc.
CEO: Carolyn E. Milan
ESTABLISHED: 2002
EMPLOYEES: 23
REVENUE : $3-4 million
www.coalitionsolutions.com