Situation: In 2017, the Department of State assigned Matlock & Associates the critical task of building a multi-agency software platform to manage high-tempo Explosive Detection Canine (EDC) operations around the world. The global EDC mission supported State Department personnel and VIPs in locations ranging from highly developed countries to the conflict zones of Afghanistan and Iraq. The U.S. Government needed an integrated software solution that could simultaneously manage all aspects of the training, validation, rapid deployment, and health and wellness of EDC teams supporting interagency operations in all parts of the world.

Challenge: Matlock assumed control from a preceding contractor who, despite months of dedicated effort, had been unable to deliver a solution that met the complex requirements of the worldwide EDC mission. The task was to engineer a robust and innovative software solution that would satisfy the diverse needs of multiple agencies and ensure the flawless execution of critical missions while optimizing operational efficiency.

Solution: Matlock’s software team embraced Agile methodology, facilitating the creation of flexible and rapid solutions. They collaborated closely with multiple agencies, navigating diverse needs and objectives to create a bespoke software solution that leveraged Artificial Intelligence to incorporate medical, training, travel, and operational performance data into a single platform.

Impact: The success of Matlock’s mission transformed the global EDC mission from one managed through multiple stand-alone databases with little to no interoperability to one in which key participants, from senior decision makers to essential support personnel to operational teams in the field, were able to access the precise data they needed and carry out critical functions through a single, centrally maintained platform. The team’s efforts demonstrated the immense value of custom-built software systems to high-importance missions.