Page 46 - FCW, May/June 2018
P. 46

                                   IT TRANSFORMATION
  C. MELONIE PARKER
Division Chief, Enterprise Operations Center, State Department
C. Melonie Parker shares
her insights into modernizing data centers
How has the State Department mod- ernized and optimized its data centers? We, Bureau of Information Resource Management, are a service provider for the Department of State’s IT community. To
be successful, it’s imperative that we know where customers are forecasting their next generation of IT services and needs. In most cases, we’ve cultivated an environment where we are at the table with the business owner from the planning stage all the way through development and ultimately the operations and maintenance stage, when possible.
It’s even more important that we stay in lockstep with high-profile service customers, like the Bureau of Consular Affairs and other organizations that offer services to the external community.
We’ve leveraged governmentwide mandates, such as the Data Center Optimization Initiative, as an incentive and opportunity for all of us to work together to achieve the goal.
standardization, streamlined processes and have other positive impacts.
However, if I say something can be virtualized based on our evaluation, and the bureau comes back and says, “We want to keep our physical device,” the service request is presented to our deputy CIO for final weigh-in and decision.
We are in the process of introducing a “Cloud First” policy, which will enhance and
further expand our service offerings.
How do you see government data centers evolving in the future?
The data centers of the future will be more scalable and efficient, with a smaller footprint. There will be more elasticity and automation. End-users will have more flexibility and self- service opportunities, e.g., to start up and shut down services based on mission workloads and usage requirements. In the immediate future, I think the data centers’ employees will be more
EXECUTIVE VIEWPOINT
A Conversation with
C. MELONIE PARKER
If done properly, modernization can influence cost savings, standardization, streamlined processes and have other positive impacts.
We’ve had a “Virtualization First” policy in place for many years. We work together with our acquisitions office and other offices at
the Department of State to first evaluate new hardware purchase requests prior to release, thus reducing the level of duplication and exercising enterprise-level offerings. Even in the most unique circumstances, oftentimes we are able to determine an appropriate in-house solution or provide a foundational starting point. Given an opportunity to present best-fit service offerings based on
the customer’s need usually results in a win-win for the department. If done properly, modernization can influence cost savings,
business-tech driven versus engineer techie individuals. I see that now with the evolution of the cloud. Cybersecurity-focused individuals will continue to be essential.
We cannot leave out the legacy environments. Right or wrong, there may always be a need for a “special legacy system.” Government organizations will have to find a way to maintain and operate those and other legacy systems until we’re able to modernize, transition or decommission.
This interview continues at Carahsoft.com/Parker-DOS
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