Training the Marines How to Use a Re-engineered System
Tactical Collaborative Work Suite (TCWS) is a Virtualized Mobile Datacenter. It is highly scalable and mobile with redundant network and information architecture designed to operate in tactical and austere conditions. A baseline TCWS is comprised of the operating systems and applications that allow Marines to communicate electronically and to share and exchange documents in a shared environment, all hosted within a VMware virtualized infrastructure.

Other critical applications can also be hosted or serviced via the TCWS. The components that comprise a TCWS are packaged within transport cases, which allows for rapid setup, transportability, rugged durability, and protection. With such a robust system, it is imperative that everyone who accesses it understands how to use it. The project called for training the Marines how to use a re-engineered system.

Dynamic, Flexible and Engaging Approach
MetroStar Systems developed the courseware to teach the Marines how to setup, manage, and maintain the system worldwide. All training materials are developed using the ADDIE (Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, Evaluate) methodology used in accordance with NAVMC 1553.1 Systems Approach to Training Users Guide (Short Title: SAT Users Guide). The Training and Education Command Systems Approach to Training (SAT) Manual (June 2004) is used as a guide for training materials development and the pending publication of MCO 1553.2B. MIL-HDK-29612-2A (Instructional Systems Development/Systems Approach to Training) guides our development process of Interactive Multimedia Instruction, Computer-Based Training, or other electronically supported training.

Saving Time, Saving Costs
MetroStar Systems training design leverages on the skills learned during prior USMC projects. Using the Analysis and Design phases of the ADDIE process, the training team quickly identified the training requirements. The courseware that was designed allows the users to integrate new TCWS information with their existing knowledge of the system. This provides an easy transfer of skills from the prior version of a system to the new version so students only learn what they need. This leads to time and costs savings.

A Skillful Rework of a Very Public Website as the World Watched
The Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) operated and maintained the U.S. Marine Corps public website, http://www.marines.mil. The website serves as the USMC’s face to the public, including news and sites representing units, bases, and stations throughout the Marine Corps. The site also provides interaction with the public through the Marine Corps Asset Request System, which allows the public to request Marine assets at events, such as speakers, Marine bands, or aircraft flyovers. The solution utilized SharePoint 2007 in both private and public farms. The Public Affairs and web content managers authenticate into the private farm using a Defense Department Common Access Card (CAC) to upload content that is then approved through a workflow process and published to the site that the public sees using the SharePoint Content Deployment functionality. At the time, the site was experiencing slow response times and frequent system outages, requiring an experienced team to review, asses, improve, and provide around-the-clock service support.

Stabilize. Redesign. Improve.
MetroStar Systems utilized its expertise in Microsoft SharePoint 2007 to stabilize the system and improve functionality. Stabilizing the system involved rewriting and replacing all the unstable custom code, ensuring the changes reflected SharePoint Best Practices, and were within Section 508 compliance. With the system stabilized, we moved on to enhancing user-experience. The look and feel of the website was updated and search experience was enhanced with a series of custom-search web-parts. Custom search was the basis for building a “shopping cart,” allowing administrators to select news stories and images from disparate unit sites to then be displayed on the home page. Custom web parts were developed and used to display content selected for publication, and included displaying images with captions—without the use of Flash or Silverlight. Functionality improved after the system was stabilized and the homepage redesigned.

Going Above and Beyond with Forward Thinking
The system redevelopment and updating occurred as the public site remained in use. The combination of SharePoint and expert custom coding resulted in a stable and easy to use system that effectively projects the USMC’s message around the world. We stabilized the system, redesigned the homepage, improved functionality and performance. Page load sizes were reduced more than 90 percent and response times improved significantly ensuring a satisfied user experience. A scalable, reliable, and extensible solution which included custom code improved performance. Smart caching was utilized with all custom development. Thinking ahead, MetroStar Systems also validated forward compatibility of these solutions through prototyping on SharePoint 2010. Lastly, the website is now compatible with mobile devices. The mobile solution includes a custom web part that sniffs device browsers and delivers a mobile version of the page. This functionality ensures a fulfilling mobile user experience while delivering the same quality content as the full version of the system.

Since Modernization in 2007:

Background

Marines.mil, a public facing website representing the United States Marine Corps, need to be stabilized, redesigned and improved all while still in use.

• Microsoft SharePoint 2007
• Microsoft SharePoint 2010
• Microsoft InfoPath 2007
• Custom Developed Web Parts

• Scalable, Reliable, Extensible
• Forward Compatible with SharePoint 2010
• Custom Design and Web Part Development
• Mobile Optimization Capabilities