Management of Defense Finance and Accounting Service Mid-Tier Systems.

Abstract

This report is based on an allegation to the DoD Hotline that Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) did not adequately manage its Mid-Tier computing assets. Mid-Tier systems are client/server systems that offer more processing flexibility than mainframe systems by allowing computer applications to operate on multiple databases at multiple locations in a seamless manner transparent to the end user. The management of DFAS Mid-tier systems is governed by two documents. DFAS Regulation 8000. 1-R, "Concept of Operations for Maintaining DFAS Mid-Tier Computing Platforms" Sep 14, 1994, initiated the Mid-Tier policy and the "Mid-Tier Policy and Procedures" Sep 4, 1996, was meant to ensure close cooperation between the Directorate for Technical Infrastructure (DTI), the Financial Systems Activities (FSAs), and other organizations in managing and maintaining the UNIX Mid-Tier computers and the Oracle relational database environments. The Mid-Tier policies affect all DFAS Centers as well as the Infrastructure Services Organization (ISO) in Indianapolis, Indiana. The FY 1998 cost to operate and maintain the Mid-Tier systems was $16.7 million. DFAS underwent a reorganization in March 1998. Prior to the reorganization, the DFAS Financial System Organization (FSO), headquartered at Indianapolis, IN, was responsible for the management and maintenance of DFAS Mid-Tier systems. The FSO reported directly to the DFAS Deputy Director, Information Management (who also served as the Director, FSO). The FSO's Mid-Tier Management Organization also located in Indianapolis was responsible for Mid-Tier systems policies and procedures. The seven FSAs were directly subordinate and reported to the Mid-Tier Management Organization. In the reorganization, the FSO was renamed the ISO and retained responsibility for the management and maintenance of Mid-Tier systems.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 18, 1998
Accession Number
ADA367551

Entities

People

  • Eric L. Lewis
  • Kimberley A. Caprio

Organizations

  • Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Defense

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Application Software
  • Computer Programming
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Databases
  • Department Of Defense
  • Governments
  • Information Systems
  • Infrastructure
  • Mainframe Computers
  • Military Personnel
  • National Security
  • Operating Systems
  • Relational Databases
  • Software Development
  • Standards
  • Systems Management

Readers

  • Database Systems and Applications
  • Government Contracting/Procurement.