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Parting the Clouds?

Don’t mean to rain on the parade, but what hasn’t been said about cloud computing?

How about are Federal agencies making any real progress in cloud and are we saving any money? That, and the new Cloud Computing Caucus, are on the menu as Fed cloud leaders and the Hill huddle at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. on January 16.

Cloud First Consumer Guide

So Cloud First made Feds move three apps to the cloud. But, what did they move and how’s it working? Well here’s the Cloud First list from OMB. MeriTalk decided to reach out to the Cloud First app owners at the agencies and find out what’s working. We’ll preview the Cloud First Consumer Guide at a government-only breakfast on January 16, and you’ll have to attend to get in the know. Government folks sign up here.

Cloud Computing Caucus

Congressmen Issa (R-Ca) and Connolly (D-Va) want to get to grips with Cloud in a more tangible way. That’s why they’re co-chairs for the soon-to-be Cloud Computing Caucus. The caucus will make the Hill geek chic – helping members and staff catch up on cloud cool. I’m not supposed to give away too many details before January 16. Want more information? Sign up here.

Cloud Computing Brainstorm

Oh, and I almost forgot, all of this is taking place at the MeriTalk Cloud Computing Brainstorm at the Newseum on January 16. You’ll hear from Dave McClure at GSA on the government-wide cloud forecast. Then Fed cloud experts on FedRAMP, cloud brokering, and public and private hosting options.

We’ve got 200+ Fed cloud experts registered. There are only 20 spots left. Register now or risk getting left out in the rain.

Big Data CliffsNotes?

I studied English and Economics in school – but I must confess, sometimes I didn’t do all the reading. Sometimes I’d skimp on Joyce and Friedman. Fast forward 25 years, and I’ve learned to do the homework – but aren’t we all looking for a shortcut? For those who want to get Big Smart on Big Data, I’d thoroughly recommend you read Ms. Jean Yan’s excellent “Big Data, Bigger Opportunities” whitepaper. It’s well researched, written, and sourced. But, for those of you that want your data by the cup, here are the CliffsNotes:

BD’s Daddy: BD ain’t new. Doug Laney with META Group – now part of Gartner – coined the BD term in 2001.

Five “V”s: A lot of folks define BD through the three “V”s – volume, velocity, and variety. Add in two more: veracity – integrity/provenance – and value – usefulness.

Data Explosion: TechAmerica tells us that 80-90 percent of all existing data was generated in the past two years. The New York Times has generated three billion words since inception – Twitter users generate eight billion words every day.

Search Surge: Google Trends show U.S. search interest in BD was up 90 percent between 2011 and March 2013.

Gartner Gauge: Gartner says government is the hot spot for BD. Gartner predicts worldwide IT spending associated with BD will hit $56 billion by 2016 – that’s not just government.

Prez Profile: The White House formed a BD Steering Committee in 2010 – it identified 17 Federal BD case studies.

No Cake Walk: Speed bumps on the BD highway. Challenges include: talent – accent on data scientists – leadership, capacities – that’s tech – and, not to be left out, our old friend, budget.

Risky Business: And, speaking of old friends, here comes cyber security to rain on the BD parade. Yes, security is, and should be, a significant concern. Riding shot gun, we’ve got the look-before-you-leap factor. We need to be cautious not to attribute cause-and-effect just because data trend in the same direction.

And, now for the big finish. A big thank you to Ms. Jean Yan for the whitepaper. A big hand for the teams at the White House – NITRD – GAO, GSA, and OPM for their respective BD projects. MeriTalk hosts our own Big Data Exchange to bring together BD leaders from across government. We welcome govies on November 6th. And, if you’re really interested in making your brain bigger, check out additional BD research reading.

Summer-Saults for Mobility?

That’s it for Summer. Bummer. Sure, Fall’s fun. But then it’s the big W – no, not that W. Even Republicans are relieved he’s not coming back to D.C. So, what do we have to look forward to this Fall? It’s a new Federal year – so farewell to furloughs. Let’s hope Obama and Boehner hug it out – and slay the sequestration serpent. Oh, and as we prep for the big chill, mobility’s warming up Federal productivity. Mark your calendar to join me at the Mobile Work Exchange Town Hall Meeting on September 12th. Despite the change of season, seems Feds are still doing Summer-saults for mobility.

Monetizing Mobility

A new MeriTalk study, “Feds on the Go,” puts mobility in a new light. First, it tells us that better mobile infrastructure could boost Fed productivity by $14,000 per year, per employee. Stay tuned for the how.

Mapping Mobility

The study puts new sunshine on Feds’ remote work behaviors. Eighty-one percent of Feds “remote in” weekly, 54 percent daily, and 45 percent connect several times a day. The average Fed puts in nine hours overtime per week – checking their email from outside. And, the laptop’s still the remote work go-to pony – 88 percent fat finger it. Other popular steeds, smartphones and tablets – 53 and 19 percent, respectively. However, while most Feds use laptops, the volume’s certainly much higher on smart devices – that’s a walk versus a gallop.

Maximizing Mobility

Okay, now back to how to unlock $14,000 mobile productivity gains per person. And, this dips beneath the BYOD buzz. It’s about the network nexus. Eighty-two percent dial down on frustration with current connectivity and mobile access – 65 percent are inhibited by slow connections and 57 percent are strangled by security. Seventy percent say they can’t access all of the information they need remotely. Download the full study to get all the stats for success.

Okay, now for the dismount. Figure many of you are reading on the go. Don’t want the cup to clog your connectivity conduit – so I’ll keep it short. Stop by the Mobile Work Exchange Town Hall Meeting to connect with over 1,000 Fed mobility leaders – including keynote from ATF CIO Rick Holgate, Marine Corps, NRC, USDA, Coast Guard, DHS, and more.

And, don’t shed a tear for Summer. The heat’s on in mobility this Fall – see you on September 12th at the D.C. Convention Center.

End of the Year as We Know IT


End of the Year as We Know IT

Crazy times. Furloughs froze contracting shops and requiring organizations. Last year’s playbook for year-end opportunities is no good. Everybody – inside and outside of government – trying to work out what September will bring. Here’s a take on how the Army will close ranks – from a fella who’s spent some time in the foxhole.

 

What’s the Net Upfront?
The Army’s never turned money back to the Treasury in any significant amount – and it’s not going to start this year. That said, there will be no new contracts awarded this fiscal year that haven’t already been in the contracting office pipeline. The Army is obligating funds to existing vehicles to the utmost extent, with the exception of those new contracts/TOs/POs that were already in the pipeline. If you’ve got contracts in place, or contracts/POs/TOs in the queue at a contracting office, you’re in good shape. If not – and you can’t find a prime to work with – don’t expect any year-end windfalls.

 

Mobile Work Exchange Town Hall Meeting

 

How’d We Get Here?
Like a hard March frost, sequestration froze everything and dammed up the normal steady contracting and subsequent cash flows from the government to industry. Agencies throttled back on obligating money pending analysis of where to take cuts – up to 50 percent was held back once sequestration hit. And funds stayed locked up until agencies figured out how and where to cut, and how to manage the money that remained. One way to do this was to furlough civilian employees. Agencies did – and this choked off funds obligation further through a reduced work week at both contracting offices and requiring organizations that feed contracting offices. That drove a lot of uncertainty, pent-up demand, and frustration.

 

Where’s the Money?
If organizations cannot spend their money, it’ll roll up the chain of command to their higher headquarters, until what’s left reaches Agency headquarters. It’s the opposite process of what happens at the beginning of a new fiscal year, where money flows down from Agency HQs to subordinate organizations until it reaches the lowest levels. Look up the chain to higher-level organizations in the Agency for end-of-year spending. Primes with existing contracts with HQ organizations are well-positioned to accept this year’s money as it flows back up at year end. Look for the Army to apply any large amount of remaining funds that come up to HQs on infrastructure and omnibus contracts – long-haul communications, professional services, and the like.

 

Cloud Computing Brainstorm

 

How to Make IT Happen?
In closing, this year-end’s opportunity is all about leveraging existing contracts, with HQs the place to focus – and yes, the money will come that way. I’d like everyone to give a shout out to all hard-working and embattled contracting pros – you’ve been furloughed and now you’re in the firing line and on the critical path to completing miracles at Fiscal Year End. The community recognizes that morale is at a new low, and we appreciate everything you do. We all hope next year will be better, at least from a process perspective, as we know the funding and fiscal challenges will continue for the foreseeable future. Thank you for your service and keep up the superb work for our nation.

 

Gary Winkler is the President of Cyber Solutions & Services, Inc.; former Army PEO for Enterprise Information Systems and Principal Director in Army CIO/G-6.

 

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Eulogy for Mr. Kundra

There was a CIO called Vivek;
Who said Fed IT was a wreck;
His cloud vision was true;
His dashboard was new;
Now he’s moving to Harvard – what the heck.

Does Vivek’s departure move you to verse? Care to pen your own limerick or even a sonnet? Lost your poetic license? Just let us know how you feel about our first Federal CIO.

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