Hi All: This is my first message to you all through this vehicle. I hope I'm in the right place. However, here it is. I haven't introduced myself to most of you, but have had contact several times with Margit. I've been out of touch for awhile. I've was on leave for the month of August and I'm just now getting caught up with my backlog. My name is Diane Silva. I am the records manager for NAVFACENGCOM, Southwest Division in San Diego. I've been with the Navy for almost 2 years, however, a records officer for the federal gov't for 14 years. Anyway, on to the good stuff. I have been working on a team sponsored by NAVFAC HQ's CIO to review and evaluate document management (DM) and records management (RM) applications for corporate-wide implementation. We have been reviewing applications for several months now and have seen alot of good "stuff". One of the most helpful resources in sorting through all of the information out on the market is the information provided by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) - Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC). They are the folks that helped author the DoD 5015.2-STD. Their web site is loaded with helpful, "useful" information about the software they evaluate and certify. Their site lists the products currently certified. They also provide summary and detailed reports of the certified products (detailed reports are available to government agencies only with prior authorization). Their site address is: jitc-emh.army.mil/recmgt/. They will also provide assistance to agencies who want to purchase an application. Although they cannot recommend one product over another, they can help you with your decision by providing information relative to hardware upgrades, training and/or programming requirements, out-of-box functionality issues, etc. I have spoken with their evaluator/certifier, Bill Manago, several times and he is extremely helpful. Anyway, just thought I'd pass on the informtion. I'm available if you need any help or additional info. I hope I can be of help to your group. V/R Diane

-- Anonymous, October 01, 1998

Answers

Diane- Nice to hear from you. Thanks for your posting. The information about JITC will be valuable to our group. Has NAVFAC HQ or your office purchased any records mgmt software yet? Are you close? If you have not purchased yet you should hold on. The DoD has set up a enterprise IPT to look into and set up a contractual vehicle for records mgmt software. Our team leader, Dean Bundy can give you more information.

charley

-- Anonymous, October 02, 1998

Hi Charley:

Sorry I took so long to get back to you. Thanks for your feedback. NAVFAC has not purchased a product yet. However, NAVFAC HQ CIO is anxiously awaiting our report on the evaluations our team has completed of 6 COTS applications. It is my understanding that NAVFAC HQ wants to purchase a product ASAP. I've read the .ppt presentation and the information provided by Linda Goodwin on the subject. However, I didn't see any indication as to the time frame in which they plan complete the initiative. Is the goal also for DoD to ultimately select the product we are all to install and use? I would appreciate any additional information Dean or others may have. V/R Diane Silva

-- Anonymous, October 09, 1998

Hi Diane,

Since Charley mentioned my name I thought I'd say hello to you and welcome you to the group. We need input from more experienced records managers like you. If you saw the progress report on our discussion forum page yesterday I hope you took note of the six questions I suggested we use as a basis for looking at how our commands or activities use records. Input from end users about how they use records to work, and how they maintain, store, retrieve, and dispose of them will help us as we try to revise the SSIC file plan and the SECNAV records schedule. Any input you want to share with us will be most welcome.

Dean

-- Anonymous, October 14, 1998

Diane, It is my understanding that there is no timeframe from DoD yet. What are the six COTS vendors you have looked at for document mgmt? Who have you looked at for records mgmt? I think the goal of the DoD working group is to set up a contractual vehicle with all approved solutions. As you know, we can only use DoD approved products for electronic records mgmt. As far as I know, the only two vendors that have been approved as individuals are Foremost by Provenance and Trim by Tower software. I hope NAVFAC is looking at these two for its records mgmt solutions.

The DON CIO office is trying to stand up a Navy wide working group that will look at setting up Document mgmt standards. If NAVFAC purchases something soon, you wont be the first. NAVAIR, NAVSEA, SPAWAR, DON CIO, etc.. have already purchased different document management solutions and are using them. Please keep me posted on what NAVFAC is doing in regards to records mgmt and document mgmt. Thanks Diane.

CHARLEY

-- Anonymous, October 16, 1998