The Future of DPS: Separate, But Not Equal?

Note: This is the last in a series of posts looking at the concern over the DPS system performance during peak season.

Over the past couple of weeks, we have looked at various aspects of the DPS computer system, and the concerns over its performance and stability. Ironically, as the series was published, it seems that the reliability of DPS has improved, most likely due to some of the short-term solutions that have been implemented to get through the peak season.

Today, we want to take a look at one of the long-term solutions being discussed. We have heard that the government is considering segregating the DPS computer system, with separate environments being designated for government users and industry users. Logically, the only reason to have separate environments is to make sure the government side is shielded from any system performance problems caused by heavy usage by the TSPs. While I am sure that sounds attractive from the perspective of the PPSOs who have been frustrated by the system issues, it is a very short-sighted solution to the problem.

The heavy usage of the industry is only due to the government’s requirements. With the exception of the short fuse issue, which appears to be handled by the restrictive click counts, there is no business advantage to a TSP being in DPS more than absolutely necessary. TSPs would prefer not to have to be in DPS at all, but the DP3 business rules require a lot of TSP data entry and monitoring, which forces the heavy usage by TSPs. In essence, dual environments will punish the industry for following the rules put forth by the government.

Web bots have received a lot of the blame for the DPS system problems, and will likely be used as a justification for creating separate environments for government and industry users. The only reason TSPs use web bots is that the government failed to provide a two-way data interchange to their system. Also, web bots can actually be more efficient and reduce the server load compared to human users, if programmed correctly.

The overwhelming number of  TSPs use the EasyDPS appliance as a web bot, and I know that the company that makes EasyDPS has worked closely with the government to ensure its appliances are following the rules and not causing system degradation. If there are other web bots that are causing problems, the government should work with them to get them in compliance, and punish the ones that will not follow the rules. However, it should not use web bots as a scapegoat justification to create dual environments.

The  segregation of systems will also create a breakdown in the government/industry partnership. First of all, when the DPS system is currently having performance problems, both PPSOs and TSPs are aware of it. If they are in separate environments, performance problems may only show up on the industry side. (Obviously, that would be the goal of this move, otherwise there is no reason to separate the systems.) If that is the case, then PPSOs will not realize the reason that TSPs may not be meeting their requirements for system updates is system related, and will be more likely to take disciplinary actions against TSPs. Today, government and industry users are all in the same situation together, but if this change is carried out, it will create a sharp divide that will only hurt the long-term partnership.

System problems in DPS currently have a high degree of visibility on the government side. We know there are high-ranking individuals that regularly monitor system performance, probably due to the large number of complaints about system performance from government users. However, when problems are only affecting the industry side, it seems doubtful that there will be the same level of effort to get problems improved or fixes in a timely manner, if no government users are seeing the problem.

If the DPS system is segregated, it will create an inequality between the government and industry users, creating a system of haves and have-nots. The short-term gains seen by the government users will be offset by the long-term effects of this move, a breakdown in the partnership that is necessary to ensure that our service members receive the highest quality of service that they deserve. Let’s hope this idea to create dual environments is quickly dismissed, so that we do not see the negative long-term effects of a separate and unequal system.

Do you think that government will segregate the DPS system environment? What effect do you think this will have on you? Please use the comments below to share your opinion.

Related Posts

1. The Future of DPS Testing - October 9th, 2007
2. Get Your 'DPS Survivor' Souvenir - October 27th, 2009
3. New TSPs Join DPS Invoice Testing - September 16th, 2008