By Captain Jeffrey S. Poulin, USA
The Army has launched an extensive effort to bring all of its computing assets into a unified framework. Readily accessible databases and a network predicated on a three-tier architecture will allow efficient access to a range of information serving both policy-level and user requirements.
The goal of the Department of the Army headquarters is an integrated
architecture of application software, data, hardware and communications
supporting the decision making process.
Users need faster processing of common computing functions and access to
Army databases from all Army computers, including personal computers.
In June1987, only 1 percent of the Army’s personal computer population was connected to a military network. The decision support plan underway includes a strategy for networking all command computers, and the plan supports the overall Army information architecture.
The three-tier hardware structure incorporates personal computers on local area networks in the lowest tier and large installation mainframe computers and regional computers in the upper tiers. Networking allows local production of unit level requirements, such as text processing, freeing the post main frame for larger, more computation-intensive jobs.
The software that comprises the Army decision support system is based on common software called installation support modules. These modules provide each Army post with a standardized automation capability. Proper distribution of the automation workload further optimizes these functions.
The architecture and composition of Army information resources is called the Army information mission area. This mission area is divided into automation, telecommunications, records management, visual information and printing/publication and covers the theater/tactical environment, the strategic environment and the sustaining base environment. The effort underway deals primarily with automation as it affects the sustaining base environment.
The Army Information Systems Command oversees the integration of Army computer resources; however, the Army Training and Doctrine Command is responsible for information systems and planning in the theater/tactical environment. Each branch of the military develops systems to support its specific battlefield mission, such as field artillery, but the Training and Doctrine Command coordinates the efforts and ensures that all systems support a unified framework.
Recognizing the need for a strong computing foundation from which to plan information systems for the field, in July 1987 former commander of the Training and Doctrine Command, Gen. M.R. Thurman, USA, called for a unified decision support framework for the command’s installations. The challenge was to make the lead in implementing automated systems for command and control and in connecting all end user terminals in the command to the decision support system network. Within a month of Gen. Thurman’s call, the command’s decision support system team publishes a prototype plan for a decision support system.
The three-tier grouping reflects the power of the machine and the
level of management it supports. On the
lowest level are user systems, such as personal computers and terminals, which
are found in administrative offices and at the unit level. To achieve optimal sharing of resources in
the office or unite and to support inter-office communications, these machines
can be networked using a local area network, such as Ethernet or a token-ring
protocol.
The second tier of the Army computer network, the organizational
or installation computer system, is typically serviced by a single mainframe
computer on each Army post. This
computer works closely with personal computers and terminals. The post main frame provides software for
users throughout the organization and houses a common database for post
requirements. The software installation
support modules are found at this level.
The final tier comprises the regional service centers and
collectively forms a worldwide decision support network. These centers ensure common access to
standard systems and provide maximum access to computing resources and data throughout
the Army.
The three tiers of the network architecture are designed to
provide full function interoperability.
The capabilities of any computer on the network, including data,
programs, electronic mail and military documents, will be available to any
connected user. The network will allow
more processing to be done locally, thereby reducing the workload on
higher-level machines. For example,
most office message traffic is between workers in the same office or unit. By connecting these workers with a local
area network, messages and files will not have to be transferred through the
post mainframe computer. Distributed
processing increases fault tolerance or resistance to system failure. If a machine on the network, including the
post mainframe, crashes, the problem has a minimal effect on the other
resources.
To aid this decision support system
network, the Army Training and Doctrine Command issued a workstation
strategy. The first part of this
strategy addresses the connection of currently owned computer terminals and
personal computers into the decision support system network backbone. This effort involves procuring the necessary
hardware (network interface cards, cable and so forth) and establishing local
area networks and connections to the post machines. Connections at this level now are virtually complete.
The second part details the kinds of
machines that will be procured in the future.
The decision support system will require faster machines, high-level
graphics and multitasking capabilities.
The workstation architecture dictates that
the current XT and AT classes of personal computers should no longer be
purchased. Instead, the architecture
calls for procurement of machines supporting high-level workstation graphics
and multitasking. To the casual user,
these machines will function in a manner similar to current personal computers,
except that they will be faster and will have better graphics. Internally, the micro channel architecture
and more powerful UNIX-based operating system they use will make them much more
efficient in a heterogeneous environment where hardware and software from
different vendors may be operating.
The premise
central to the Army information mission area is that information is a common,
shared resource. Installation support
modules are standardized software packages that perform tasks common to most
Army posts. These modules help to
automate installation activities and provide a common basis for post database
structure.
The software incorporates standard
automated procedures into functional modules that integrate day-to-day
processes on an installation. Module
routines share data with other modules through common databases and interface
with the standard Army management information system at installation
level. As such, they are the shared
software that supports the organizational or installation level of the Army
computing network.
The 29 modules currently available were
designed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. All
modules are installed at Fort Sill, and some have been in use for more than six
years. By design, the modules share
data. For example, in /out processing
stations use and update the military personnel database. This database also is used for medical
records tracking, the post locator, reassignments, records management and other
functions. The central military
personnel database eliminates redundant data, reduces errors caused by
inconsistent data and provides accurate and timely information to users
throughout the facility.
Currently available software includes
these modules: post locator, in-processing, out-processing, records management,
reassignments, orders, officer record brief, vehicle registration, employee
training, travel, disbursing, property book, reception, work order management,
audiovisual, security, manpower accounting and budget.
Fielding of the software modules is moving
rapidly. Programmers have rewritten and
enhanced the original Fort Sill modules, and evaluators are now completing
testing at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Fort
Gordon currently has 19 of a projected 28 modules running on the post,
including the modules for dental tracking, in-processing, officer records
brief, orders, out-processing, post locator, records inquiry, and personnel
reassignment. The personal computer and
mainframe level hardware installation for the software was completed in March
1989, and the software acceptance test was held in June of that year. The three-week software acceptance test
generated feedback on problem areas and on necessary improvements. The Training and Doctrine Command decision
support system team and installation module programmers then began evaluating
and improving the software based on user comments. Now most of the modules are fully functional and have been
fielded at Training and Doctrine Command installations worldwide.
Capt. Jeffrey S. Poulin, Ph.D., USA, is a decision support systems officer, Army Training and Doctrine Command integrated systems team, and is a member of the AFCEA Augusta-Fort Gordon Chapter.