The Defense Reutilization Marketing Service, located in Battle Creek, Michigan, redistributes excess and surplus military property to other government agencies and eligible non-profit groups. In order to make these items available all over the world, DRMS gathers the property, but customers no longer have to travel to where it is stored. The military, other government agencies and eligible non-profit groups no longer match their needs solely against the inventory available in their area. As a result, more excess and surplus property is being reused, transferred or donated to customers who might otherwise have purchased new items. All excess and surplus items for redistribution are listed in one inventory that includes all of the physical sites where property is stored.
Users can view pictures of items and can search the database for specific items.
The Internet-based system saves both the DRMS and customers money. The new on-line inventory is less expensive to maintain, and customers no longer have to physically screen goods at a local warehouse. With a few clicks of the mouse, government agencies and eligible non-profit groups can quickly locate items that meet their needs, and some users can electronically place an order. A dramatic increase in Web page usage demonstrates the effectiveness and popularity of electronic searching and ordering of property on the DRMS home page. This was in large part due to the new Internet system.