Aging computers hobble Homeland Security

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IT must be a Core Competency of Government

All can assume that the holdups were not just Microsoft's problem. Microsoft's partner (likely Accenture) to which the job was outsourced to, is also to blame.

"The holdups can be attributed in part to the Homeland Security Department's antiquated computer systems. The agency's mainframes do not share data and are accessible only by some offices. An upgrade to Microsoft's Windows 2000 operating system failed because of application incompatibilities, which meant one division had to undertake a cumbersome reversion back to Windows 95. "

In Washington State there was a big push to "competively contract" IT functions. After way to many experiences with failures and dificulties in managing the contracts (It takes a highly paid professional to do so) Governor Lock declared IT to be one of the core competencies that should not be contracted out. This is the reason the State Department of Information Services was able to win awards for its e-government work. But alas, those awards stopped coming when the DIS director was hired away and Microsoft began its "marketing" on the new 30 year old Director. After failures Microsoft hired this friend of the Monopoly, in what appeared to many to be a pay back. No ones career is harmed when they select Microsoft products (even when the project fails). Thats that way of a criminal organization.

We are making huge advancements in e-government today by avoiding the Microsoft Way which really is the way of toys unsuitable for business or government and toys of war when you think of security. Homeland Security became a spoils ground of Microsoft owing to Ashcroft whoes political career was finance by the monopoly.

Ballmer's membership on the board of director's of Accenture (which I am assuming was also involved) has always been troubling. This is expecially so given the fact that Accenture is comprised of the former Arthur Andersen Cosultants whose parent company brought us The Enron pension looting and worse and the company of shreaders. Keeping the historical record is a core compentency of government as well.

Today penson funds are being addresssed by the Feds. Many a company will look poorly to shareholders if required to properly look after these assets. But then social security isn't going to hold up. Penson funding is a core compency of government as well.

Competency is lacking at the Federal Level. No doubt about it.

Posted by: mighetto   Posted on: 12/15/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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