Digital record-keeping of military personnel: What is the ‘Impulse’ system and why is it needed
The Armed Forces of Ukraine have begun operating the ‘Impulse’ digital system, developed by their IT specialists to make personnel record-keeping more convenient and reliable. The system replaces paper logs and cumbersome procedures with a digital solution that allows for quick data processing and the efficient generation of required documents.
The Ministry of Defence provides a detailed explanation of what the ‘Impulse’ system is and why it is needed.
What is the ‘Impulse’ system?
‘Impulse’ serves as the digital system for personnel record-keeping within the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It streamlines the work of personnel services and provides rapid access to up-to-date information on military units' personnel. The system enables decision-making grounded in accurate data, thereby enhancing command efficiency.
It is the first tactical-level digital system to be deployed across all military units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Who developed the ‘Impulse’ system?
The system was developed by the Center for Scaling Technological Solutions (CSTR) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which brings together IT specialists with extensive civilian experience in digital product development who are now serving in the military. Most of them also have combat experience.
Deployment of the system in the military is ensured by units of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
‘Impulse’ system allows for:
- Generating orders and other documents faster and more accurately.
- Maintaining accurate, up-to-date records on each service member, reflecting changes in service such as promotions, change of duty station, or discharges.
- Analyzing data to verify personnel strength, positions, and rotations.
- Quickly generating various types of reports for the command.
- Establishing the foundation for reducing paperwork further through integration with other digital systems.
The ‘Impulse’ system is used by:
- Personnel services: responsible for staffing positions, evaluating and developing personnel, and managing promotions and decorations.
- Personnel offices: maintaining records of who is serving, their positions and ranks, and the dates of their arrival or departure.
- Unit commanders requiring reliable information on service members in their units for operational planning.
What opportunities does the system open for the military?
- Transparent and structured personnel record-keeping: comprehensive data on service members and their service are maintained consistently and coherently.
- Reduced routine manual workload: the system automates processes that were formerly performed manually.
- Reduced risk of errors: achieved through electronic document templates and the reuse of previously entered data.
- Rapid preparation of reports and statistical summaries: based on already entered data.
Is the ‘Impulse’ system secure?
The ‘Impulse’ system has passed verification for compliance with international cybersecurity standards applied by NATO member states. All data circulate in a secure environment, with service member access determined by their assigned authorization level in the system.
System advancement
In the future, the system will be integrated with other digital solutions for the military, including the Army+ app, the Electronic Document Management System (EDMS, known in Ukrainian as СЕДО), and the Medical Information System.