Water Resources Discipline ITAC Activities

Paul, Kevin, and ITAC,

Attached is the memo that ITAC prepared and sent last March about cost increases. Your action to detail out the costs will supersede our info below. Perhaps the memo below can lend context to your cost awareness memo.

--sm

To: GS-W A, GS-W DC, GS-W SA
cc: GS-W ITAC
From: Chair, Information Technology Advisory Committee (ITAC)
Subject: Possible IT Cost increases in FY 2005/06

Three major information technology (IT) transitions in all Department of Interior (DOI) bureaus over the next one to three years will impact the Water Resources Programs: standardizing on Windows 2000 and XP, deployment of Microsoft Active Directory, and deployment of Microsoft Exchange. These transitions will directly affect USGS/WRD staff and necessitate IT resource planning. The Water Resources Information Technology Advisory Committee (ITAC) is providing the following information so that WRD District managers and IT staff can prepare accordingly.

Standardizing on Windows 2000 and XP
All Windows computers (i.e. all Windows desktops and all Windows laptops connected to any USGS local area network) must be running either the Windows 2000 Professional or Windows XP Professional operating system by 12-31-2004. Office of Management and Budget is actively monitoring and enforcing this requirement through the IT Security Certification and Accreditation (C & A) process and Federal budget appropriation process, respectively. Computers not presently running Windows 2000 or Windows XP and not meeting minimum hardware requirements will have to be upgraded, replaced or removed from the LAN. For minimum Windows 2000 hardware specifications, minimum Windows XP hardware specifications, and DOI hardware contract information, see, respectively:
http://nttac.usgs.gov/os/win2000/w2kpro/overview/overview.html#Hardware
http://nttac.usgs.gov/os/xp/overview.html#Introduction
http://internal.usgs.gov/gio/ito/hardware/

Microsoft Active Directory (AD) Deployment, DOI/USGS-Wide
DOI has mandated that all DOI bureaus deploy Microsoft Active Directory. DOI intends to use AD to improve DOI bureaus' low IT security "grades" that are impacting the Administration's funding of DOI activities. Microsoft explains that their AD product "allows organizations to centrally manage and share information on network resources and users while acting as the central authority for network security." ITAC recognizes that AD will authenticate user login to Windows computers; control access to files, printers, and other Windows resources; and, maintain security and software updates centrally and/or locally.

As a by-product of Active Directory’s more accurate, automated tracking of Microsoft licenses used in USGS, the Geographic Information Office may have to increase charges to all science centers by as much as $200 per additional license to cover the actual number of licenses. Districts might consider consolidating multiple Windows computers per person to a single Windows computer per person - to reduce the number of licenses and the associated licensing costs.

Replacement of Lotus Domino/Notes with Microsoft Exchange, DOI/USGS-Wide
DOI recently decided that all DOI bureaus must standardize on the Microsoft Exchange electronic messaging (e-mail and calendar) system. In accordance with this mandate, USGS can be expected to replace Lotus Notes with Microsoft Exchange in FY 05 or FY 06. Replacing Lotus Domino/Notes with Microsoft Exchange will result in additional start-up costs possibly in FY 05 and probably in FY 06. ITAC predicts that these costs will include possible increases in license fees, mail administrator training, user training, and other unknown transition costs.

ITAC offers these predictions based on best available information to date about additional fiscal/resource impacts to each USGS District office. There may be other costs of which ITAC is not aware. Please note that this e-mail does not include a prediction of changes to telecommunications costs, applications licensing, and other IT costs; ITAC is unable, at this time, to predict the total net change in all IT costs. Additionally, it is important to consider that budget restructuring in FY 05 providing the GIO with its own line item will eliminate the need for some cost recovery at the district level.

ITAC suggests that district managers discuss these matters with local IT staff. Please feel free to contact your Regional Computer Specialist or any member of ITAC.

Sonya Jones
ITAC Chair

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Sonya A. Jones
Assistant Program Officer, SR
US Geological Survey
3850 Holcomb Bridge Rd, Ste. 160
Norcross, GA 30092

Work (770) 409-7705
Cell (678) 524-1544
Fax (770) 409-7725
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