A Baseline Description of DTIC Scientific and Technical Information Support System

Abstract : The Defense Technical Information Center's (DTIC's) operations are supported by automated and mechanical tools in many areas. The automated portions are extensive, but are generally 10 to 25 years old. Most of the computer systems are batch-process oriented. The mechanized portions include penalized equipment for microfiche processing, printing, and binding. With few exceptions, that equipment is reliable and effectively utilized. Still many of DTIC's operations, especially in the administrative area, are largely manual. Our recommendations for modernization include: DTIC should utilize an automated project management system to develop and control its System Modernization Plan. Such a system will help DTIC focus its limited resources on high-priority projects. It will also eliminate many manual reporting systems and be useful in the management of other project oriented work, particularly in the Directorate of Telecommunications and Automated Data Processing (ADP) Systems. Two major areas of DTIC operations require further analysis before detailed recommendations for modernization can be made. These are the processes of delivering copies of technical reports (TRs) to users and the automated systems themselves. While a specific action plan for these areas is not feasible at this time. Chapter 4 suggests some areas for consideration.