DLA-OKC will join agency’s computer network Published Sept. 18, 2009 By Debra R. Bingham DSCR Public Affairs Richmond, Va -- More than 350 Defense Logistics Agency employees at Tinker Air Force Base will soon have direct access to agency information technology tools. The employees are part of DLA's aviation demand and supply chain, Defense Supply Center Richmond, based in Richmond, Va. The extension of the DLA enclave is part of the Agency's focus on enhancing support of America's warfighters. This initiative includes providing DLA supply, storage and distribution, forward presence and depot level repairable personnel working at service industrial sites with the tools and support they need to be responsive, effective and efficient. In his 2009 Intent Message, DLA Director Navy Vice Adm. Alan Thompson stated, "DLA has people forward positioned with warfighters and maintainers in many locations in the U.S. and overseas. They are increasingly going beyond a liaison role to actually execute DLA's full capabilities on a remote basis." DLA Warner Robins, Ga., was the first forward site to migrate to the DLA network in June 2009. DLA Oklahoma City is the second to transition under the DLA Enterprise Migration plan, said Sandy Hill, a DSCR information technology specialist and implementation lead for forward presence sites. The migration will move DLA Oklahoma City users off the base's local area network onto the DLA network; giving them improved performance, better connectivity, enhanced security and direct access to DLA systems. "Lessons learned at DLA Warner Robins have helped us improve efficiency and will help us reduce customer frustration at Tinker and subsequent sites," Ms. Hill said. "We expect to complete the hardware migration by October 15. Each site presents its own unique considerations that will be taken into account by J6 Enterprise Migration Team." Before the migration, DSCR's forward-based computer systems for employees were hosted on an Air Force LAN. Employees had Air Force e-mail addresses and could only get to DLA and DSCR tools through Citrix, an application that offered slower connectivity and less functionality. Once the migration is complete, employees will have new personal computers, distribution workstations, network printers, servers, DLA e-mail addresses, and direct DLA access, along with continued access to the Air Force systems needed to perform their jobs. As soon as the new computers are in place, employees will be able to use the Fusion Center and shared drives in Richmond, and will have access to DSCR news and command information products on the DSCR intranet, such as DLA Today news and Elknet. They will also be able to connect to the Enterprise Business System, Distribution Standard System, and the Wholesale and Retail and Shipping System by Nov. 15. Ms. Hill said the migration process is a team effort that requires many hours of careful planning, coordination and collaboration before execution. "DLA Information Operations New Cumberland, Pa., owns and is responsible for the USE5 domain, which is their piece of the DLA Enterprise wide area network. Users at DLA Oklahoma City are still DSCR personnel and receive IT administrative support and front-line Help Desk support from DSCR personnel," Ms. Hill said. Ms. Hill said the DSCR Help Desk will contact site manager Gary Selph, who will run DLA Oklahoma City's IT support. Mr. Selph and his team will troubleshoot issues such as internet connectivity, software updates and additions, and other on-site support issues requiring a technician to visit employee workstations or printers. DLA and Air Force Enterprise IT specialists and systems administrators also worked with Tinker Air Force Base's IT, safety and security personnel during the planning and execution phases of the project. Preparation for the DLA Oklahoma City move started more than 18 months ago, Ms. Hill said, with a network site survey in June, followed by many hours of conference calls before on-site implementation in late July. A team of 38 network engineers, technicians and electricians are at Oklahoma City now, installing the physical network before the workstation migration team begins to place computers and printers. A team of six government IT specialists and 12 contractors are also working with DLA Oklahoma City management to determine individual personal computer requirements and to schedule users to receive new computers. "The workstation technicians will also complete common access card authentication, test email connectivity, and insure the functionality of each migrated user," Ms. Hill said. Ms. Hill said that the DLA Migration team on site will work any issues employees may encounter with their computer systems. The next site to be brought online with the Agency's network is DLA Ogden at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The target completion date there is Dec. 15.