Nowa Technika Wojskowa Nr 2/2012 - TELDAT

"NOWA TECHNIKA WOJSKOWA" - 2/2012 

(translation) 

COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATICS 

The article is the voice in the discussion on possibilities of data communication solutions 

integration used in Polish uniformed services subordinate to the Ministry of National Defense and the 

Ministry of the Interior into one common platform, that will allow their cooperation while carrying out the 

tasks connected with crisis management (based on the TELDAT’s company from Bydgoszcz original 

solution – HMS Web Portal, as part of network centric data communication platform JASMINE). These are 

the author’s own interpretations and conclusions based on the symposium on: ’Data communication 

systems in crisis management’ organized three weeks ago by the Institute of Data Communication 

Systems of the Army Institute of Management and Command Faculty at the National Defense University of 

Warsaw. 

Bartosz Biernacik 

THE INTEGRATION OF DATA COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS 

OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES 

The development of IT technology, communications and data communication allows nowadays 

the realization of undertakings that not long ago would seem to have been a pure fantasy. The new, rare 

ways of using most up-to-date data communication solutions are to be found almost in every sphere of our 

lives. One can mention countless examples of ‘intelligent’ devices, such as: three-dimensional printers, 3D 

TV with access to Internet, refrigerators ordering missing products for themselves, ‘intelligent houses’ 

systems, systems supporting taking decisions, etc. It certainly translates into a completely new quality in 

the area of communication. 

The common purpose of majority of the newest solutions is free information exchange, which are 

the greatest value and the reason of creating such a great number of solutions. Ensuring current 

information (presented in an adequate and required at a particular time way) at a right time and place 

without interruptions seems to be easy only in theory. Practice proves difficulty of such a task and only 

few solutions currently offered on the market are able to fulfill all or most of the demanded requirements. 

On January 11 th , 2012 at the National Defense University of Warsaw the symposium on: ‘Data 

communication systems in crisis management’ was held. It was organized by the Institute of Data 

Communication Systems of the Army Institute. During the seminar many interesting subjects were raised. 

The main subject matter was the integration of data communication solutions of individual uniformed 

services into one common, coherent platform allowing cooperation of the Police, State Fire Service, Life- 

Saving Service, Border Guard and Polish Army in order to fulfill crisis management requirements. It is of 

great importance as the international mass event – Euro 2012, organized for the first time on such a large 

scale in Poland is approaching fast. Among the issues discussed at the symposium there is one worth 

mentioning, namely, a very promising tool called HMS (Headquarters Management System) made last year 

as a WebPortal version based on Microsoft SharePoint Platform. 


OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES 1


(translation) 

Network Centric Data Communication Platform JASMINE 

JASMINE includes both software and equipment solutions. It assures equipment platform for the 

communication command systems exploitation, among others the C3IS JASMINE (Command Support 

System), which is one of the JASMINE’s main program components. It allows battlefield management and 

successful operations on an operational and tactical scale. It can be achieved through the troop’s increased 

situational awareness and improved effectiveness of their actions, the use of equipment as well as fast 

information collection and transmission of all the elements of the military unit. 

It ensures multiservice data, voice and picture exchange starting from the single soldier up to 

position and command points in local and extended networks. It is scalable and allows operating from 200 

to 600 (depending on equipment version) end terminals, for instance the computers on the command 

posts in the users’ workplace. It delivers data transmission service, VoiP telephones and IP videotransmission 

and the possibility of integration with field and stationary ISDN telephone systems. It 

ensures the development of a few separate data communication networks on a one single command post 

as well as data communication networks development through the use of modern technological solutions 

(among others, fiber-optic and twisted pair cables). It also simplifies and reduces wire system on field 

posts and command points. Moreover, by offering the possibility of carrying out greater number of high 

quality service and functions to the user it makes the infrastructure of data communication stations, 

command points, combat vehicles and the soldier himself more modern, lighter, mobile and less 

expensive. 

HMS WEB PORTAL – HUGE POSSIBILITIES 

AT THE MINIMAL POSSIBLE REQUIREMENTS 

HMS Web Portal is the element of Network Centric Data Communication Platform JASMINE and is 

its expanded version (for barely two years, since the author has had the possibility of working with the 

tool). The main feature of this solution is its capability to integrate various systems used by different kind 

of uniformed services. In order to use it one simply needs a browser and access to the Internet (or other 

Web that allows data transmission). Neither operational system nor available equipment constitutes 

a barrier to its usage. It is therefore an excellent tool that allows lowering the requirements and reducing 

costs of adjusting the operators’ work posts to operate in the system. At the same time it allows the 

operators to work in different situations and often use different technological means (for instance, PDA, 

smart phones, notebooks or stationary computers) as well as different means of data exchange (radio or 

wire). 

The Microsoft Share Point platform application in HMS Web Portal solution allows the particular 

operators to have access to information needed and carry out tasks resulting from their duties, regardless 

services they represent (whether it’s the Army, the Police, etc.). The tool is well known worldwide. It is 

gaining popularity in Poland and more and more national companies are using the platform in their 




(translation) 

activities, for example: the Polish Armed Forces use it in, among others: WAN net, ACN and WZiD as 

intranet). 

The SharePoint Platform key functions are, among others: 

• standardized access to information (the benefits are facilitated cooperation and increased decision 

making possibilities of the work groups); 

• automatic confirmations (the benefits are automatic confirmations that reach the users and inform 

them of the changes on pages and previously defined by them documents); 

• personalization of the users’ settings (the benefit is a range of information adjusted to the needs 

within the limitations established by IT and the way of its presenting, increasing comfort and work 

effectiveness); 

• personal and public view of documents, information and applications (the benefit is increased intranet 

usefulness); 

• integration with Microsoft applications (the benefit is common use of MS Office solutions allowing 

increasing intranet usefulness); 

• adjusting intranet function to the Web Parts without the need of programming (the benefit is that 

Web Parts make the adjusting possible – Share Point settings personalization by the user without any 

knowledge of programming); 

• integration of various data bases and applications, including other companies applications and 

specialist systems (the benefit is that every sort of the uniformed services can still benefit from the 

applied solution without bearing the costs of purchase of the new systems); 

• delivering content and making applications available, including the users’ roles, distribution lists, 

hierarchy and other criteria (the benefit is data security assurance by establishing rules of access to 

data on the program platform level). 

SharePoint Platform ensures, among others: 

• effective management and change of destination on information resources; 

• shorter course of internal and external business processes that require cooperation; 

• cooperation of information resources within organization and outside it; 

• using one integrated internet, intranet and extranet application management platform. 




(translation) 

C3SI JASMINE – REALIZING THE PRINCIPLES OF NNEC PROGRAMME 

The second element of HMS Web Portal is C3IS JASMINE System. According to the author it is the 

newest and the most advanced solution in support of commanders’ operations at war and during crises. 

The tool allows getting common image of operational situation (Common Operational Picture – COP) that 

has been widely discussed recently. In reality, however there are only few solutions possible to achieve it. 

The author’s research and direct observations prove the tool to allow automatization of the whole 

command process realized by the Polish Armed Forces. Moreover, it allows large savings during its 

individual phases. What needs to be emphasized is the automatization of determining the position phase, 

which can take place almost ‘automatically’ (without the operators) thanks to C3IS JASMINE. It can be 

done by using a wide range of standards in the system in accordance with NNEC program (NATO Network 

Enabled Capabilities) and the tool’s structure based on SOA (Service Oriented Architecture) as well as the 

system’s producer original solutions (the only program-equipment solution), which assure its work 

according to the rule that it is the command system supports the operator. Additionally, the control phase 

has been simplified and thanks to applied solutions it is more easier to be realized (all system users 

dispose of the same amount of information on their own and the enemy’s army; the enemy’s army location 

data and resources is transmitted in a real or near to real time automatically). 

The automatization of determining the position and control allows the troops information share 

of all the authorized users of the system. Data presentation can take place using various dedicated 

solutions, depending on the command level. Some further works concerning the development of system 

functionality arising from the planning phase are now in progress, though the systems’ current 

capabilities in this area allow its use up to the brigade level – 1.8 version (starting from dismounted 

soldier). The author states that in the year 2010 the battalion level was represented by 1.3 versions. Some 

specialist tools that allow carrying out the activities arising from the planning phase and its further stages 

are being added to the consecutive versions. At present, it is possible to analyze tasks and geographical 

conditions, such as the lie of the land, flood land or determining visibility. It is also possible to analyze the 

operation variants, formalized documents resulting from command process (such as plans and orders) 

and others, (not mentioned by the author on account of nature of this article). It should be emphasized 

that nowadays there is a chance of using JASMINE on levels higher than the brigade level, mainly in order 

to create common situational picture within coalition operations. One can use examples of NATO 

Combined Endeavour exercises (2009-2011 editions), where JASMINE combined 20 systems from 

different countries and was used on the corps and division levels. 

One surely needs to be aware of the task setting phase currently realized using C3IS JASMINE. The 

commander is not obliged to leave his post thanks to the possibility of setting the task to the subordinate 

units in many different ways, for instance, by the use of videoconference (based on JASMINE Platform, 

which requires neither additional program nor equipment solutions) or tactical chat (to find more about 

C3IS JASMINE go to ‘Nowa Technika Wojskowa’ 12/2011). 




(translation) 

The proposed solutions (common services that fulfill NATO standards described in NNEC and 

various end applications) allow the command support systems integration and are used in Polish Army 

and NATO countries. Numerous tests conducted during national and international exercises as well as 

high C3IS JASMINE system capabilities appraisal made by its operators and S/G6 communications and 

informatics specialists responsible for its preparation, starting, functioning and data archive confirm that. 

The main variants of C3IS JASMINE system are: 

1. DSS CLIENT (Dismounted Soldier System) – it’s T4 terminal application dedicated to soldier level; 

2. BMS CLIENT (Battlefield Management System) – dedicated client application adapted to be used 

in mobile command systems on a tactical level, taking into account radio communications; the 

user’s interface was adjusted to operate combat vehicles software; 

3. HMS CLIENT (Headquarters Management System) – dedicated client application in HMS system 

destined for tactical and operational levels to be used mainly on stationary command points; 

4. HMS Web Portal – dedicated Web application adapted to be used in WWW browsers. 

IS THE INTEGRATION OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES 

TECHNICALLY POSSIBLE 

Basing on the solutions described here above and according to the author there is a good chance 

of integrating, if need be different kinds of uniformed services, both the national ones as well as the allies. 

The HMS Portal can constitute a sort of family gate allowing access to information coming from various 

sources: military systems, the Police, the State Fire Service, the Border Guard and others necessary to 

carry out tasks arising from crisis management at its particular stages. Thanks to its structure the HMS 

System allows to operate the command support systems and their integration with the systems of combat 

centers management. The SharePoint Platform, on the other hand allows their access to the users, who are 

outside the system (other uniformed services) in a flexible and adjustable way, depending on the situation 

– (it is possible to form task groups composed of different uniformed services representatives to carry out 

particular tasks in case there is an attempt of preventing it or, once it has happened). 

The SharePoint functionality is enriched by C3IS JASMINE System offer and can constitute its 

‘entry’ for the outside users. It can operate the same way as it currently does in case of C3IS JASMINE 

Command Support System (in its DSS, BMS and HMS variants) during NATO and national military 

exercises. C3IS JASMINE can be a successful integrator of various other systems and allow their data 

exchange. In this way it becomes a decisive element when it comes to cooperation of other systems (in the 

area of possible data exchange of different data standards, for instance: MIP Baseline 2 and 1, that didn’t 

even cross the designers’ minds; primarily those standards were not to exchange data and in case of 

JASMINE it is possible and often used in practice). As far as NATO exercises are concerned these are the 

most often command support systems of particular allied countries. In the country, apart from integration 




(translation) 

of the command support systems (although in this case there aren’t many solutions for integration) C3IS 

JASMINE allows integration of combat centers management systems (Dunaj, Łowcza - Rega, Topaz). 

HMS WEB PORTAL FUNCTIONAL MODULES 

Apart from the above mentioned capabilities resulting from SharePoint Platform application the 

HMS Portal consists of a couple of functional modules in conformity with the staffs’ structure. 

The G/S1 personal issue module allows: 

• adding, editing and deleting the users; 

• keeping military records and troops condition; 

• keeping records of personal loss; 

• keeping records of the prisoners of war. 

The module is based on TELDAT’s data base: ‘TELDAT Battlefield Directory’, closely integrated 

with HMS C3IS JASMINE System. The base stores data on troops personal condition, equipment, weapon, 

(combat vehicles, ships, air craft, etc.) resulting from the command support system to meet the army’s 

needs. The experience gained from various exercises proves that, there is no technical obstacle as to 

additionally store information coming from other uniformed services or separate data bases of individual 

services (thanks to data exchange mechanisms implemented in SharePoint, for instance and in C3IS 

JASMINE data exchange standards). Therefore, there are no limitations for them to exchange data in the 

area necessary to carry out the tasks. This particular kind of cooperation using Web Portal would give 

access to various resources regardless of the base they are recorded in (be it the Police base, the Armed 

Forces base or any other one), given the necessary qualifications. 

The G/S3 operational module ensures, among others: 

• work coordination process support of all the staffs’ organizational units; 

• drawing up documents connected with ensuring permanent military readiness; 

• access to data on current situation – situational map; 

• preparation of tactical and operational calculations; 

• drawing up military orders and directives; 

• organizing post and command points, operational data change – planning; 

• reporting current situation; 

• data collection and reporting meteorological and hydrological conditions; 




(translation) 

• data collection and reporting contamination and poisoning; 

• delivering maps and other topographical documents; 

• keeping military action diary, including oral commands recording (apart from automatic entries, 

the entries coming from other sources are possible); 

• quick search of objects according to given criteria and performing the: ‘find on the map’ or 

‘display detailed features’ function on a chosen object. 

Within the operational module it is possible to have access to JCOP Client (Joint Common 

Operational Picture) application. The application itself is the embedded element of HMS Web Portal, 

allowing integration of the two products. Thanks to the HMS Web Portal it is possible to move directly to 

chosen location and start JCOP Client within the portal or in the separate window. The JCOP Client allows 

an insight into the Common Operational Picture of the situation. The JCOP additionally gives an image of 

data coming from other sources (other systems) according to JASMINE Platform data exchange standards 

(among others: ADatP-3 in different versions, NFFI, MIP MEM, MIP DEM B.2 and 3, and others). 

The next is the G/S5 planning module. Its main functions are the support of the operation 

planning process, tactical operations and crisis management. The planning module allows creating 

documents resulting from the tasks carried out by the particular uniformed services (assigning realization 

of its particular parts to selected units and operators). The drawing up of documents starts with choosing 

the stencil and its edition. In case there is no appropriate stencil it is possible to draw it from the scratch. 

In this way there is no need of specialists, such as system administrators, tool producers or computer 

specialists to prepare the necessary documents. 

Moreover, it should be emphasized that thanks to Web browser it is possible to have access to the 

drawn up documents (for instance MS Word) without installing appropriate applications in the operator’s 

computer (not until their edition). 

SUMMARY 

The HMS Web Portal is the first possible step to technically integrate different uniformed services. 

It is strongly believed that thanks to the C3IS JASMINE System quick development and the entire JASMINE 

Platform there are soon going to be developed client applications versions dedicated to particular 

uniformed services (military symbols can be easily replaced by the Medical Corps, the Police, the Border 

Guard symbols, etc). Additionally, the mechanisms allowing automatization of information collection on 

current situation, action planning, tasks assignment and their control (position, resources and alarms) are 

easy to be adapted by the uniformed services. Let us hope that by investing in a wide range of native 

solutions and promoting our domestic technical ideas the government bodies and decision makers will 

regard more favorably the proposed current army solutions and be able to vision them as a common 

platform dedicated to uniformed services. The producer of C3IS JASMINE software needs to be supported 

before he decides to reply to the foreign clients’ demands. 



epresentatives: 


(translation) 

The HMS Web Portal structure creates environment allowing users – the uniformed services 

• common interface allowing cooperation conforming to their expectations; 

• access to current information irrespective of its source (whether it’s data coming from the Police data 

bases, the State Fire Service or other uniformed services) – the aim is to ‘separate’ the information 

from the system so that one makes use of it regardless of the system it was generated in; 

• operating on current data with the documents’ accurate version; 

• integration of different data sources. 

The main problem as far as the integration of the uniformed services is concerned, apart from 

technical solutions is the legal barrier. The issue was equally addressed during the seminar. At present, 

there are no statutory powers that would allow information exchange of different uniformed services, 

although it is technically possible. Therefore, it will be appropriate if the legislator gives it priority. It will 

be beneficial not only from the army’s point of view but also from the point of view of the units 

subordinate to the Ministry of the Interior. It is all the more important as, in the near future there are 

plans of further C3IS JASMINE use in its developed and highly advanced versions during the undertakings 

realized by the Army. 

Pictures: TELDAT, AON, author.

Nowa Technika Wojskowa Nr 2/2012 - TELDAT

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?