Florida Department of Management Services
The network was up and running and it was secure and reliable, but the speed was slow and the interface clumsy. The applications around the database were old, out of date and were only in batch-mode with fixed-transaction access. The system were complex and when user tried to get something out of the ordinary, they had to wait for days or weeks for the mainframe programmers developing what was needed.
The system is equipped with a firewall to prevent unauthorized access, by analyzing and controlling the incoming and outgoing data network traffic, it is a software or hardware-based network security but it “blocks” all network traffic, slowing and causing inconvenience. DMV is intended to start doing e-commerce and this will take an extra care involving security because this applications takes a lot of work, and by adding more security features on the fly would prove problematic once it takes an extended amount of time to close exploits, and it involves more than one department.
The use of SSL certificates, HTTP and HTTPS must be utilized to protect and authenticate users and employees from packet sniffing hostiles and hacker’s attack. Transition process: The SNA network controller processors were connected to T-1 and T-3 lines in 10 cities. The controller for the communications was within the token ring local area network, computer are connected in a ring or star topology, to prevent collision from computers when they are trying to send messages at the same time.
The token rings could also support the terminals of personal computers and other computer equipment. The controllers were designed to handle SNA traffic out of and into the mainframe computers. In order to transform the infrastructure of SNA router network, all the Department of Management Services had to connect the boxes, and link them to the central site router of the data center. Critiques: The DMS provides numerous serivices and support for its employee’s and state agencies, allowing 6000 users to access the mainframe application in tallahassee.
The shared services gave support for human resources, aloowing users to access information anytime available on the Web servers and on the Web servers at vendor sites, such as reviewing informations about contracts and suppliers. There are specialized services, such agency administration, job-posting service and numerous other services available. The virtual enviroment for providing services is being used by the DMS. They utilize the internet and intranet through their Web portals.
To protect the DMS system from unauthorized access, the DMS employed several people on a full time basis to review information, format it, followed by entering them into the mainframe computers. Additional Services: The Florida Department of Management Service built a large information systems network, in the early 1990s, to connect 10 regional sites with the data center in Tallahassee serving the state government agencies.
The network was developed to use the proprietary Systems Network Architecture from IBM. The DMS was happy with their current set up however they felt the need to expand applications and services. The idea was to incorporate TCP/IP capabilities and Internet access, exploiting the Internet was the primary goal. It did not take long to implement and the DMS created a state wide TCP/IP network where they began offering Internet services to local and state agencies.
They also created a suite of applications that would assist in personnel, billing systems online and accounting. The DMS saved $4 million dollars for the state plus an increase in productivity. The DMS should add a feedback service box to its portfolio. The information gathered from its customers would provide users the oppruntunity to improve the service and the system what they may be lacking.
