Defence

Chief Information Officer

Fewer applications improve service

In a move to rationalise the more than 4000 computer applications currently running on the Defence Restricted Network (DRN) and the Defence Secret Network (DSN), the Chief Information Officer has established the Applications Rationalisation Initiative. John Sheridan explains.

The initiative will improve the management of applications on Defence networks and recommend action to consolidate applications in the Defence Information Environment (DIE). This improved management will lead to a reduction in support and maintenance costs as well as provide better network performance and better customer service.

The initiative was introduced because many of the applications currently in use are duplicating functionality already provided by other applications. Others are obsolete or superfluous to Defence business functions.

In seeking a solution to the problem, Defence stakeholders were widely consulted, with the initiative team conducting both research and validation consultation meetings, workshops and interviews.

The discovery phase is complete and recommendations are now being implemented that will see an increasingly positive impact on Chief Information Officer Group (CIOG) operations over the next few months.

Better network performance and customer service

As old and obsolete applications are removed from the network, network performance will improve and overheads will be reduced. The degree of improvement is likely to vary depending on the type and size of the application.

As a result of the rationalisation, it will be much easier to request access to an approved application to meet users' business requirements. Users can consult the Interim Defence Software List (IDSL)—which lists all applications that are approved for use on the DIE—and can quickly find out if there is already an application available. By requesting an application from this list, gaining access will be as simple as placing a call to the Service Desk (0-133 272) or logging a request online at http://csc.defence.gov.au/logjobonline/Logjobform.cfm.

The interim list is a work in progress that over time will become the single definitive list of approved applications available for use on the DRN and DSN.

Adding and removing applications

All applications that have not yet been approved will undergo a thorough architectural review prior to their procurement. This will ensure that they will function correctly on the network without interfering with any existing applications and without compromising security.

Applications that have not been approved for use on the DIE will be removed. They will not be re-installed unless they have received CIOG approval. Areas that are currently using a business application that are not listed on the IDSL will be required to seek exemptions.

Reduced expenditure and increased agility

As obsolete, inappropriate and duplicate functionality applications are removed from the network, the overheads associated with their storage, support and maintenance will be reduced. Encouraging customers to use corporately licensed applications rather than their alternatives will enable a reduction in costs associated with acquisition, testing and deployment.

A reduced number of applications in use in the DIE will also mean greater flexibility when upgrading the environment and in managing Defence's interoperability with other government organisations and allies.

Most importantly those applications authorised for use will be properly supported so that future evolutions of the Defence standard operating environment (SOE) will not be plagued by the frustrations that have afflicted the current SOE125 rollout. This rollout has been delayed several times as undeclared and untested (to the new environment) business-critical applications are being discovered constantly.

Better licence management

Applying better controls to the acquisition, installation and removal of applications will make more efficient licence management possible. Improved monitoring of usage will also mean that commercial arrangements for licences will better reflect the numbers of people using each application and the frequency of their access.

All round the initiative means a better, cheaper, more efficient way to use the Defence restricted and secret networks.

For further information, contact Helen Cooper, Director Application Design, tel. (02) 6265 2082, or Adam Threlfall, Project Manager KI 2.1, tel. (02) 6266 7312.

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