Lockheed Martin Management & Data Systems recently opened its state-of-the-art NetForce Tech Center in its Fairfax, Va. facility. The $7.5 million customer-driven integration and transformation solutions lab primarily utilizes commercial-off-the-shelf technologies and commercial methodologies in building rapid proof of concepts for government customers.

The new Tech Center, with combined space of nearly 5,000 square feet, is an innovative state-of-the-art center comprising private and secure facilities. With a full continuum of the latest and best-in-the-world hardware and software solutions, the Center serves as a proving ground to provide clients with the ability to evaluate new and innovative ideas. The Center has the capability to provide customers with comparative assessments of a wide range of alternative solutions, and enables customers to have hands-on interaction with new and integrated proof of concepts. The Center brings together people, processes, technology and benefits for clients by reducing risks, lowering development costs, increasing collaboration, and accelerating operational implementation by simulating real-world customer environments.

"The NetForce Center combines a community of our partners, addressing our customers' data and information-centric environment," said Bryan Maizlish, NetForce founder and Chief Technology Officer. "We are working with many thought leaders from leading technology, government, research and commercial industries, and will leverage their invaluable insights and lessons learned in partnering with our customers. The exciting reality is that we have barely scratched the surface."

The dynamic multi-vendor partnering environment of the Center utilizes world-class modeling, simulation, IT portfolio management, and business process management tools in delivering rapid, secure, and stable solutions.

"This Center is at the epicenter of our efforts in developing a major state-of-the-art transformation facility to continue to meet the needs of our customers," said M&DS vice president Mike Thomas. "With private and secure areas, we can smoothly move from initial proofs of concept to simulate real- world customer environments."

Management & Data Systems (https://mds.external.lmco.com/) has been a leader in systems integration, systems engineering, software development and program management in support of vital national systems for more than 30 years. M&DS is a unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation with approximately 8,200 employees at facilities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin (http://www.lockheedmartin.com/) is a highly diversified global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced-technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's core businesses span space and telecommunications, electronics, information and services, aeronautics, energy and systems integration.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Management & Data Systems