Your mission – should you choose to accept it – is to unlock new markets, boost credibility and strengthen your operations.
If you’re in aerospace, defense or even operate adjacent to those industries, that mission starts with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) compliance. It governs how U.S. defense-related parts, services and data are handled and, while the rules are strict, the opportunity is wide open.
For some manufacturers, compliance is mandatory. But more and more companies are choosing this mission voluntarily. That’s because those who aren’t ITAR-compliant are increasingly missing out. They’re ineligible for defense contracts, can’t bid on sensitive projects and risk being seen as less secure or behind the times.
Whether compliance is mandatory or voluntary for your shop, ERP software can support your efforts to become compliant.
The Intel: ITAR Delivers Results
You don’t take on a mission unless there’s a good reward. And the data backs it up. Compared to their non-compliant peers, manufacturers that follow ITAR see real, measurable advantages across the board:
- 12% average revenue growth, versus just 7% for those without compliance
- 30% more government contracts awarded, thanks to broader eligibility
- 25% higher client retention rates, driven by stronger trust and security protocols
- 15% improvement in operational efficiency, thanks to upgraded processes and systems
Bottom line: the process of becoming compliant drives better business habits. From tighter documentation to more secure data handling, companies report faster workflows, fewer mistakes and a noticeable boost in performance. If you're trying to grow, protect your IP or just run a more efficient shop, ITAR compliance is a powerful upgrade.
Your Tactical Advantage: ERP
Getting compliant the old-school way with spreadsheets, folders and frantic email chains is a mess. It’s time-consuming, error-prone and stressful when audits hit.
That’s where your ERP system comes in. It’s your compliance command center. With the right ERP as your mission partner, you can:
- Track controlled components in the bill of materials, ensuring traceability from design to delivery
- Control access to technical files so only cleared personnel can view or edit
- Log every action on sensitive data to create a digital paper trail for audits
- Automate permissions to minimize risk during hiring, turnover or role changes
- Generate audit reports instantly with timestamps, version histories and user logs
- Scale as contracts grow more complex with multi-site support, export license integration and more
One mid-sized aerospace supplier we work with cut audit prep time in half and sped up contract approvals by 30% after folding ITAR workflows into their ERP. That’s what happens when compliance is built into your systems, not stapled on at the end.
Why Choose This Mission?
Defense work moves fast – and the door doesn’t stay open long. Regulatory pressure is only increasing, and ITAR-like requirements are expected to become standard over time.
Choosing ITAR now means you’re getting ahead of the curve before new rules take hold, gaining access to contracts your competitors can’t touch and reinforcing trust with customers who care about security and control.
And with ERP in place, the lift is lighter than you think. The system does the tracking, the documenting and the auditing so your team can stay focused on production, not paperwork.
Final Briefing
The defense world runs on precision, trust and readiness. ITAR compliance sends a strong signal to customers that you run your shop the same way.
So here’s your mission: Comply, compete and let ERP do the heavy lifting. The opportunity’s out there. Now’s the time to go get it. When you’re ready to accept the ITAR compliant mission, we’re here to help. See a demo of the software that can help you hit the target.