ISLAMABAD, Aug 3: The military authorities have decided to substantially cut defence expenditures by 're-engineering' the paper-based processes in the Pakistan Army and introducing modern automated human resource procedures.

Official sources told Dawn here on Monday that the main objective was to save millions of dollars over 10 years in software imports. Another objective is to ensure database security and integrity in all departments of the army.

At the same time, there will be a considerable reduction in manpower currently engaged in transaction processing, like maintaining and updating personnel's record. The ministry of defence has submitted a detailed plan to the federal government for approval.

The plan envisages creation of a domestic Enterprise Human Resource Management Solution (HRMS) for the Pakistan Army in particular and the defence sector and the GOP in general.

All current functions, processes, accounting and management of human resources in the army will be automated by April 30, 2006. Initially, Rs153 million will be spent to "enhance capability and capacity" of all branches, centres and organizations of the army.

Operational savings in the army will be achieved with the help of an integrated Enterprise HRMS software solution by eliminating duplication of work, achieving data accuracy, expenditure decision making, expediting transaction processing, use of modern planning and analytical tools for HR planning, development and costing, succession planning, skill management, eliminating data redundancies and inconsistencies, integrating cross-functional business processes and adhering to standardized processes and procedures conforming to international standards.

The military authorities, the sources said, believed that there was a need to have a system that could integrate all the information on manpower at one place and have the capability to provide interfaces that will enable the units to enter the HR data and the annual performance reports into the system directly.