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February 4, 2003
GovPro Newsletter
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Tuesday, February 4, 2003 Volume 2, Issue 3
Welcome to the GovPro Newsletter brought to you by the Penton Government Media Group. Look forward to news, resources, product and supplier information, and links relating to the government market. You have received this e-newsletter because you are a subscriber to Government Product News or Government PROcurement Journal. If this message was sent in error or you wish to unsubscribe, see the unsubscribe information below.
Sponsored by Safety Storage
----------CONTENTS----------
-Football Foils Worm -Workers Connect on Weekends -Healthy Eating Environment -Seniors Save on Meds -News of the Weird
----------FEATURES----------
SUPER BOWL SECURITY WITHSTANDS WORM ATTACK
Despite fears of everything from terrorism to rowdy football fans, San Diego's $2 million Super Bowl XXXVII security plan was declared a success-despite a global Internet worm attack that crippled systems around the world. In addition to a no-fly zone and military aircraft on patrol, the security plan included broadcast-quality surveillance video made possible through dial-up connections on standard phone lines.
"Even after the Internet crash, we worked through any problems and our surveillance was able to stay up and running throughout the entire event," said Dave Douglas of the San Diego Police Department.
The surveillance served as the backbone for the San Diego Emergency Operations Center (EOC). RoseTel's technology and applications, managed through the San Diego Data Processing Corp. (SDDPC), extended the presence of the San Diego Police Department and other law enforcement agencies through the use of a constant, 30-frames-per-sec. video. The Super Bowl surveillance was delivered without the limitations and expense of satellite and cable feeds, or the herky-jerky picture quality sometimes found with video-conferencing or Internet technologies.
The surveillance system, which operates on its own secure network separate from the Internet backbone, performed smoothly despite a computer worm that wreaked havoc on the Internet over Super Bowl weekend. The "SQL Slammer" bug, seen as the most damaging Internet attack in 18 months, spread through network connections rather than via e-mail.
Because the system employs standard NTSC video, it can integrate with a variety of equipment ranging from television monitors, computer screens and VCRs, to wireless and broadcast cameras, medical systems, switching equipment, mixing, editing and overlay imaging devices.
"One of the terrific tools that we were able to use was the manned portable FBI stick cameras," said Douglas. "These portable cameras use directional microwave feeds to take the video from the cameras to the EOC, and then from there to the commanding officers at the incident command centers so they can see what was happening in real-time at street level during the events." For more information visit http://www.rosetelsystem.com.
AGENCIES ROLL OUT SECURE TELEWORK PROGRAMS
Public-sector agencies of all sizes are rolling out secure telework programs that allow employees greater workplace flexibility. The State of Alaska, the Cities of Austin, TX; Rochester, NY and San Bernardino, CA; and Counties including Albany, NY and King County, WA are among those using a Web-based, remote-access service that provides secure access to computer desktop from any Internet connection.
Momentum for telework is driven by government mandates that require telework for compliance with EPA-sponsored environmental regulations, including the Clean Air Act, and a desire to increase employee quality of life. According to Wendy Frizzell, telework program manager for The City of Austin, GoToMyPC Corporate, by Expertcity-a telework solution provider, has helped make telework simple for hundreds of City of Austin workers who previously did not have an easy solution to access the city networks away from their offices. "We needed a highly secure solution that would be easy for all employees to use for accessing their desktop computers from home and that required very little training or administration on the part of plan managers," commented Frizzell. "The connection has helped make our telework program more viable to a greater number of workers and plan administrators tasked with managing the program."
Government entities have a telework solution that overcomes many of the barriers to large-scale implementation associated with cost, complexity, and security that can be associated with VPN systems. As a result, GoToMyPC is suitable for government agencies needing to augment their existing offering for many of their workers who need only occasional access to the networks while working from home one-to-two days a week and in the evenings and on weekends.
With GoToMyPC, government employees can easily access files and information systems on their computers from any location at any time, allowing for increased productivity and job flexibility. The service boasts easy user installation and operation. Through the GoToMyPC Administration Center, telework plan administrators can easily and efficiently manage accounts in real time, control users' feature-access rights, and run usage reports.
Advanced security features ensure that network resources and information are never compromised. GoToMyPC is pre-configured with user-activated security controls, including dual password requirements and 128-bit end-to-end user authentication, which provide additional security and privacy for users and administrators. For more information, visit: http://www.expertcity.com
----------Safety Storage----------
Safety Storage crafts hazardous storage buildings for a wide range of applications, like isolating a hazardous production process, containing a volatile material, enclosing an explosive operation, adding a test lab, or securing equipment or evidence. Only Safety Storage has the custom-engineering experience and range of pre-fabricated solutions that fully comply with governmental regulations, and meet pertinent building and fire codes. For details, go to http://www.safetystorage.com
----------NEWS----------
GSA BUILDS CAFETERIA FOR EPA
Government cafeteria openings do not usually warrant the attention of high-ranking agency officials, but the new eatery GSA built for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at Federal Triangle in Washington, DC is no ordinary cafeteria.
The facility boasts informational kiosks, green design components ranging from carpeting and furniture to forks and knives, and a video media wall that can carry news, videos, and emergency broadcasts. Also in the works is a massive fish tank designed to remind guests of EPA's commitment to marine ecosystems.
GSA Administrator Stephen A. Perry, speaking at the opening of the facility on January 13, noted that the cafeteria is part of a larger modernization project for the Ariel Rios, Customs, and connected buildings. "The modernization provides improvements, which enhance the health, safety, and general work environment for federal workers, while preserving the historic elements of these treasured properties," Mr. Perry said.
The Administrator and Morris Winn, EPA Assistant Administrator, Office of Administration and Resources Management, both said the project was a success in large measure because of stellar teamwork and cooperation between the two agencies. Winn said GSA's National Capital Region Federal Triangle Team "partnered and worked shoulder to shoulder with EPA staff to make this cafeteria a reality."
SENIORS SAVE WITH COUNTY'S DISCOUNT DRUG PROGRAM
A discount prescription drug program is available to seniors (55 and older) and citizens with disabilities who are paying full price out-of-pocket for prescriptions and reside in Middlesex County, NJ. Created by County Freeholders H. James Polos and Jane Brady, the Garden State Pharmacy Owned Prescription Services (GS-POPS) program allows eligible participants to purchase generic or name-brand drugs and medications at wholesale prices with an additional minimum discount of 13 percent.
More than 90 percent of the pharmacies in New Jersey are part of the GS-POPS program. The newly adopted program is cost-free to the taxpayers of Middlesex County and there is no limit on the purchase of prescription medications.
Officials estimate that there are 140,000 senior citizens living in Middlesex County and many of them, as well as all disabled, could be eligible for the program that began Jan. 1, 2003. Participants receive a photo-ID through local senior citizen organizations or centers or by contacting the Middlesex County Office of the Aging.
NEWS OF THE WEIRD
Bizarre but true stories about real people. http://www.govpro.com/GPRONewsletter/Article/28049/
----------Power Trac----------
Power Trac's PT-1850 is the World's Only 45 degree slope mower. Visit: http://www.power-trac.com/series1800.htm
----------LINKS----------
C & H Distributors provide a fast, efficient way to purchase shelving, cabinets, packaging and shipping products, or office furniture. Visit: http://www.chdist.com/govt
BENEFITS-DRIVEN PROCUREMENT, FEBRUARY 26, 27 World Research Group is pleased to announce its Benefits-Driven Procurement conference, scheduled for February 26-27, 2003 in Las Vegas. To register or for more information, please visit http://www.worldrg.com/fw316 or e-mail liz@worldrg.com.
----------PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT----------
Cemen Tech: Volumetric proportioning and continuous mixing machines. http://www.cementech.com Decatur Electronics: Radar for traffic, sports, and railroad applications. http://www.decaturradar.com Fargo Electronics: Facility ID cards and access control. http://www.fargo.com Halsey Taylor: Water coolers and drinking fountains. http://www.halseytaylor.com Polaris Industries: Off-road vehicles, snowmobiles, and watercraft. http://www.polarisindustries.com
Find information on advertising in the GovPro Newsletter on http://www.govpro.com or contact rhowlett@penton.com.
------You may qualify for a FREE Magazine Subscription------ Complimentary subscriptions to Government Product News, a product-driven resource, and Government PROcurement, editorial targeting the public sector purchasing professional are available to those who qualify. To subscribe to Government Product News visit: http://www.submag.com/sub/gn To subscribe to Government Procurement visit: http://www.submag.com/sub/gp
Copyright 2003 Penton Media, Inc.
Welcome to the GovPro Newsletter brought to you by the Penton Government Media Group. Look forward to news, resources, product and supplier information, and links relating to the government market. You have received this e-newsletter because you are a subscriber to Government Product News or Government PROcurement Journal. If this message was sent in error or you wish to unsubscribe, see the unsubscribe information below.
Sponsored by Safety Storage
----------CONTENTS----------
-Football Foils Worm -Workers Connect on Weekends -Healthy Eating Environment -Seniors Save on Meds -News of the Weird
----------FEATURES----------
SUPER BOWL SECURITY WITHSTANDS WORM ATTACK
Despite fears of everything from terrorism to rowdy football fans, San Diego's $2 million Super Bowl XXXVII security plan was declared a success-despite a global Internet worm attack that crippled systems around the world. In addition to a no-fly zone and military aircraft on patrol, the security plan included broadcast-quality surveillance video made possible through dial-up connections on standard phone lines.
"Even after the Internet crash, we worked through any problems and our surveillance was able to stay up and running throughout the entire event," said Dave Douglas of the San Diego Police Department.
The surveillance served as the backbone for the San Diego Emergency Operations Center (EOC). RoseTel's technology and applications, managed through the San Diego Data Processing Corp. (SDDPC), extended the presence of the San Diego Police Department and other law enforcement agencies through the use of a constant, 30-frames-per-sec. video. The Super Bowl surveillance was delivered without the limitations and expense of satellite and cable feeds, or the herky-jerky picture quality sometimes found with video-conferencing or Internet technologies.
The surveillance system, which operates on its own secure network separate from the Internet backbone, performed smoothly despite a computer worm that wreaked havoc on the Internet over Super Bowl weekend. The "SQL Slammer" bug, seen as the most damaging Internet attack in 18 months, spread through network connections rather than via e-mail.
Because the system employs standard NTSC video, it can integrate with a variety of equipment ranging from television monitors, computer screens and VCRs, to wireless and broadcast cameras, medical systems, switching equipment, mixing, editing and overlay imaging devices.
"One of the terrific tools that we were able to use was the manned portable FBI stick cameras," said Douglas. "These portable cameras use directional microwave feeds to take the video from the cameras to the EOC, and then from there to the commanding officers at the incident command centers so they can see what was happening in real-time at street level during the events." For more information visit http://www.rosetelsystem.com.
AGENCIES ROLL OUT SECURE TELEWORK PROGRAMS
Public-sector agencies of all sizes are rolling out secure telework programs that allow employees greater workplace flexibility. The State of Alaska, the Cities of Austin, TX; Rochester, NY and San Bernardino, CA; and Counties including Albany, NY and King County, WA are among those using a Web-based, remote-access service that provides secure access to computer desktop from any Internet connection.
Momentum for telework is driven by government mandates that require telework for compliance with EPA-sponsored environmental regulations, including the Clean Air Act, and a desire to increase employee quality of life. According to Wendy Frizzell, telework program manager for The City of Austin, GoToMyPC Corporate, by Expertcity-a telework solution provider, has helped make telework simple for hundreds of City of Austin workers who previously did not have an easy solution to access the city networks away from their offices. "We needed a highly secure solution that would be easy for all employees to use for accessing their desktop computers from home and that required very little training or administration on the part of plan managers," commented Frizzell. "The connection has helped make our telework program more viable to a greater number of workers and plan administrators tasked with managing the program."
Government entities have a telework solution that overcomes many of the barriers to large-scale implementation associated with cost, complexity, and security that can be associated with VPN systems. As a result, GoToMyPC is suitable for government agencies needing to augment their existing offering for many of their workers who need only occasional access to the networks while working from home one-to-two days a week and in the evenings and on weekends.
With GoToMyPC, government employees can easily access files and information systems on their computers from any location at any time, allowing for increased productivity and job flexibility. The service boasts easy user installation and operation. Through the GoToMyPC Administration Center, telework plan administrators can easily and efficiently manage accounts in real time, control users' feature-access rights, and run usage reports.
Advanced security features ensure that network resources and information are never compromised. GoToMyPC is pre-configured with user-activated security controls, including dual password requirements and 128-bit end-to-end user authentication, which provide additional security and privacy for users and administrators. For more information, visit: http://www.expertcity.com
----------Safety Storage----------
Safety Storage crafts hazardous storage buildings for a wide range of applications, like isolating a hazardous production process, containing a volatile material, enclosing an explosive operation, adding a test lab, or securing equipment or evidence. Only Safety Storage has the custom-engineering experience and range of pre-fabricated solutions that fully comply with governmental regulations, and meet pertinent building and fire codes. For details, go to http://www.safetystorage.com
----------NEWS----------
GSA BUILDS CAFETERIA FOR EPA
Government cafeteria openings do not usually warrant the attention of high-ranking agency officials, but the new eatery GSA built for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at Federal Triangle in Washington, DC is no ordinary cafeteria.
The facility boasts informational kiosks, green design components ranging from carpeting and furniture to forks and knives, and a video media wall that can carry news, videos, and emergency broadcasts. Also in the works is a massive fish tank designed to remind guests of EPA's commitment to marine ecosystems.
GSA Administrator Stephen A. Perry, speaking at the opening of the facility on January 13, noted that the cafeteria is part of a larger modernization project for the Ariel Rios, Customs, and connected buildings. "The modernization provides improvements, which enhance the health, safety, and general work environment for federal workers, while preserving the historic elements of these treasured properties," Mr. Perry said.
The Administrator and Morris Winn, EPA Assistant Administrator, Office of Administration and Resources Management, both said the project was a success in large measure because of stellar teamwork and cooperation between the two agencies. Winn said GSA's National Capital Region Federal Triangle Team "partnered and worked shoulder to shoulder with EPA staff to make this cafeteria a reality."
SENIORS SAVE WITH COUNTY'S DISCOUNT DRUG PROGRAM
A discount prescription drug program is available to seniors (55 and older) and citizens with disabilities who are paying full price out-of-pocket for prescriptions and reside in Middlesex County, NJ. Created by County Freeholders H. James Polos and Jane Brady, the Garden State Pharmacy Owned Prescription Services (GS-POPS) program allows eligible participants to purchase generic or name-brand drugs and medications at wholesale prices with an additional minimum discount of 13 percent.
More than 90 percent of the pharmacies in New Jersey are part of the GS-POPS program. The newly adopted program is cost-free to the taxpayers of Middlesex County and there is no limit on the purchase of prescription medications.
Officials estimate that there are 140,000 senior citizens living in Middlesex County and many of them, as well as all disabled, could be eligible for the program that began Jan. 1, 2003. Participants receive a photo-ID through local senior citizen organizations or centers or by contacting the Middlesex County Office of the Aging.
NEWS OF THE WEIRD
Bizarre but true stories about real people. http://www.govpro.com/GPRONewsletter/Article/28049/
----------Power Trac----------
Power Trac's PT-1850 is the World's Only 45 degree slope mower. Visit: http://www.power-trac.com/series1800.htm
----------LINKS----------
C & H Distributors provide a fast, efficient way to purchase shelving, cabinets, packaging and shipping products, or office furniture. Visit: http://www.chdist.com/govt
BENEFITS-DRIVEN PROCUREMENT, FEBRUARY 26, 27 World Research Group is pleased to announce its Benefits-Driven Procurement conference, scheduled for February 26-27, 2003 in Las Vegas. To register or for more information, please visit http://www.worldrg.com/fw316 or e-mail liz@worldrg.com.
----------PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT----------
Cemen Tech: Volumetric proportioning and continuous mixing machines. http://www.cementech.com Decatur Electronics: Radar for traffic, sports, and railroad applications. http://www.decaturradar.com Fargo Electronics: Facility ID cards and access control. http://www.fargo.com Halsey Taylor: Water coolers and drinking fountains. http://www.halseytaylor.com Polaris Industries: Off-road vehicles, snowmobiles, and watercraft. http://www.polarisindustries.com
Find information on advertising in the GovPro Newsletter on http://www.govpro.com or contact rhowlett@penton.com.
------You may qualify for a FREE Magazine Subscription------ Complimentary subscriptions to Government Product News, a product-driven resource, and Government PROcurement, editorial targeting the public sector purchasing professional are available to those who qualify. To subscribe to Government Product News visit: http://www.submag.com/sub/gn To subscribe to Government Procurement visit: http://www.submag.com/sub/gp
Copyright 2003 Penton Media, Inc.
