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Newsletter Vol 2, Iss 9 - Nlets

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DIRECTOR’S CORNER<br />

UPDATES<br />

Web Site Re-Design<br />

Brodie Assistance<br />

Fund<br />

HIGHLIGHTS<br />

Strategic Partner<br />

Highliight<br />

2011 in Review<br />

Call for Success<br />

Stories<br />

ANNOUNCEMENTS &<br />

REMINDERS<br />

Internal Promotions<br />

Upcoming Meetings<br />

<strong>Nlets</strong> Wiki<br />

New Employee<br />

New <strong>Nlets</strong> Reps<br />

CONTACT US<br />

Ask Steve<br />

Feedback<br />

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 4<br />

in this<br />

ISSUE<br />

DIRECTOR’S CORNER<br />

by Steve Correll, <strong>Nlets</strong> Executive Director<br />

The start of a new year always brings with it<br />

a sense of excitement. As we refl ect on what<br />

we have accomplished and have left undone<br />

from the year before, we are encouraged by<br />

the time that we have ahead with renewed<br />

opportunity for success.<br />

I have always looked at my career in a<br />

manner possibly a bit different from the<br />

norm. Instead of counting down the years<br />

until I can retire, I have always counted up<br />

from where I was to determine “how much<br />

time I have left”; time to make a difference,<br />

to make meaningful change and to bring<br />

value to my life’s work. The lack of time and<br />

a solid plan has always been a great motivator for me.<br />

January 2012 ׀ <strong>Vol</strong>. 2 No. 9<br />

<strong>Nlets</strong> is very good at planning and measuring and achieving and remeasuring<br />

and then planning again. Through this discipline we are a lean,<br />

responsible and accountable organization with an achievable, measurable<br />

plan developed within a biennially renewed scope of work. This is a core<br />

tenet of our success.<br />

And the New Year is upon us, and the clock is ticking.<br />

This year, you will see <strong>Nlets</strong> continue to improve our systems and our<br />

availability as we extend the testing of our disaster recovery capability as<br />

our journey towards an active-active production environment. This will<br />

allow Phoenix and Louisville to share the daily load and act as online<br />

backups to each other. While the fi nal achievement is not scheduled in<br />

our plan for 2012, there are many milestones to be met this year in that<br />

planned course.<br />

<strong>Nlets</strong> will rollout phase one of our online training program to the<br />

membership this year. This rollout is the fi rst deliverable in our two-year<br />

effort to create meaningful content that all may use to assist in training<br />

your organization’s staff as well as your customers.<br />

Last year’s work on a new <strong>Nlets</strong> website is about to result in the unveiling<br />

PG. 1


DIRECTOR’S CORNER, CONTINUED<br />

of a new, more capable and user-friendly product that will meet the requirements of our membership as well<br />

as those who need to see a public face of <strong>Nlets</strong> to learn more. Creating and maintaining a website often makes<br />

running an international criminal justice system and network seem easy.<br />

We are well into the fi nal planning stages for the <strong>Nlets</strong> Annual Business Meeting, scheduled for June 26-28<br />

in Kona, HI, as well as planning another <strong>Nlets</strong> Implementers and Developers conference for September in<br />

Scottsdale, AZ. Our commitment to leading the way into new and important technologies continues and there<br />

are signifi cant new advancements to be discussed by both practitioners and the industry at this important<br />

gathering.<br />

And, fi nally, <strong>Nlets</strong> is budgeted to provide nearly $700,000 dollars in 2012 to the membership to improve<br />

information sharing. Our planning, our measuring and our discipline have positioned us to provide meaningful<br />

fi nancial assistance for the fourth year to our community, even while we have not raised service fees These<br />

dollars are prioritized to assist in the interstate/interagency exchange of images such as DL Photo’s, but all<br />

appropriate requests will be reviewed. The Brodie Assistance Fund is managed by a committee appointed by<br />

the President, and they will have their work cut out for them, but it is a rewarding kind of work and the type we<br />

enthusiastically embrace.<br />

So the clock is ticking. Time is already running out on 2012. We have promises to keep, and we have miles to<br />

go before we sleep.<br />

UPDATES<br />

WEB SITE RE-DESIGN<br />

In Fall 2011, a team of <strong>Nlets</strong> staff began working to restructure the existing Web site to streamline the navigation, as<br />

well as give it a more dynamic and less stagnant appearance and layout. The team convened a council of reps (the<br />

Outreach Committee and the site’s top fi ve users) to research what changes should be made with the reconstruction. This<br />

month, the fi rst phase of the reconstruction is ready to launch! Here are some major changes to expect:<br />

• A new color scheme now continues with the <strong>Nlets</strong> branding from presentations and publications.<br />

• A new home page has an accordion style layout giving users updates on newsfeeds, resources and events<br />

immediately upon entering the site.<br />

• A simplifi ed navigation system<br />

eliminates the previous layers to fi nd<br />

anything on subsequent pages.<br />

• A username and log in will only be<br />

required to access rep direct contact<br />

information, <strong>Nlets</strong> meeting minutes and<br />

meeting presentations.<br />

• The Annual Report and monthly<br />

newsletter are now dynamic pages that<br />

will no longer require downloading a<br />

fi le to the desktop to view.<br />

• Files and links 6 months and older will<br />

be stored in an archive—with the new<br />

site, fi les will be automatically moved to<br />

the archive once they have been posted<br />

for 2 months.<br />

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this<br />

effort! More changes will be coming soon,<br />

so visit the new Web site often!<br />

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 4<br />

PG. 2


UPDATES<br />

BRODIE ASSISTANCE FUND<br />

In 2011, 33 states utilized the Brodie Assistance Fund (BAF) resource that <strong>Nlets</strong> offers to the states—4 for<br />

Driver’s License and Corrections Image Sharing, and 29 for <strong>Nlets</strong>’ STARS conference, held in May of last<br />

year. <strong>Nlets</strong> encourages its reps to utilize this resource for any needs their states may have to support as many<br />

<strong>Nlets</strong> message keys and initiatives as possible While the BAF serves as a resource to states in a multitude of<br />

capacities, the Board of Directors have allocated nearly $700K to the BAF with the intent to make the goal<br />

of supporting Image Sharing in every state a priority, using the BAF to assist the states as they take strides<br />

toward this goal.<br />

Reps who have served on the BAF committee, as well as some whose states have benefi ted from this<br />

fund discuss the value of the resource. “The Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center (ACJIC) has<br />

used funds from the BAF to send staff to the Annual Implementers Training Workshop and the STARS<br />

Conference. The vital information provided at these training events equipped ACJIC staff members with<br />

the knowledge and tools necessary to enhance our agency’s information sharing applications, and improve<br />

our auditing and training programs,” says Jeff Matthews (AL). “Only through the assistance of the BAF has<br />

ACJIC been able to positively affect the state’s criminal justice community to the level it has.”<br />

Rep Leon Frederick (IA) utilized this resource to benefi t his state in recent critical information sharing<br />

endeavors as well. “Iowa could not have moved forward with providing correctional information, including<br />

photos, to our in-state criminal justice community and the <strong>Nlets</strong> community without the funding made<br />

available to us by the Brodie Assistance Fund. The BAF is a vital way that <strong>Nlets</strong> can give back to the<br />

membership,” says Frederick.<br />

Jillian Watts (MD), current Finance and Management Chair, as well as the members of the F&M Committee<br />

have approved additional resources allocated to the BAF to serve as a greater resource to all states in 2012.<br />

“The fund has been very successful assisting states with training dollars. The F&M recommended to the<br />

Board that funds be allocated to the BAF to support implementing and enhancing DL photo sharing, and<br />

the Board unanimously adopted the recommendation. These funds provided by <strong>Nlets</strong> will enable states to<br />

participate that have been unable to obtain the resources within their own state budgets,” states Chair of the<br />

F&M committee, Jillian Watts (MD). “The benefi ts will be seen not only by the requesting agency sharing<br />

the photos but other criminal justice users nationwide. This additional application of the fund will make it<br />

even more advantageous and successful.”<br />

<strong>Nlets</strong> encourages all states to take full advantage this resource for their state, especially with the new 2012<br />

emphasis of the goal for Image Sharing with every state. For more information about the BAF, or to apply<br />

on behalf of your state, please contact Bonnie Locke at blocke@nlets.org.<br />

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 4<br />

PG. 3


HIGHLIGHTS<br />

STRATEGIC PARTNER HIGHLIGHT:<br />

Starting in 2012, the <strong>Nlets</strong> <strong>Newsletter</strong> will feature a new section highlighting our strategic partners. Each<br />

month, we will feature a different strategic partner within the section. For the fi rst issue, we asked <strong>Nlets</strong>’s fi rst<br />

strategic partner, Datamaxx, to pilot the section and share some information about one of their latest initiatives<br />

to be included in our newsletter. We invite all of our strategic partners to take this opportunity to share<br />

important news and updates with the <strong>Nlets</strong> membership.<br />

To submit an article or press release for the Strategic Partner Highlight, please email submissions to Kayelyn<br />

Means, Communications Specialist, at kmeans@nlets.org.<br />

STRATEGIC PARTNER HIGHLIGHT:<br />

The Cloud – The New Vision for Public Safety<br />

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 4<br />

by Brad Long, Director of Business Development – Datamaxx Group<br />

Cloud Computing at a Glance<br />

The cloud solution enables users to run applications through a virtual data center instead of<br />

from installed software. But, for law enforcement agencies handling sensitive and critical data,<br />

it is imperative to choose a secure data center that understands the unique needs of the public<br />

safety industry.<br />

Omnixx Fusion Core Secure Cloud Solution, available this month, is an extension of the Fusion Core.<br />

“Cloud” is a new buzzword attached to an old practice, but the idea has become more relevant to the public<br />

safety industry, as we are no longer immune to the budget pressures that abound in this economy. Using a<br />

cloud-based environment for your data management saves time and money. But public safety agencies and<br />

organizations have a legal responsibility to ensure their data is secure. Some of the most forward-thinking<br />

industry leaders today are already reaping the benefi ts of the cloud, but keeping their information secure, by<br />

utilizing the Datamaxx Secure Cloud – the only <strong>Nlets</strong>- and FBI CJIS-audited cloud offering CJIS solutions,<br />

data access and analytics.<br />

Why go to the cloud?<br />

Reduced Cost<br />

Using a cloud-based environment removes the need for expensive up-front capital expenditures and the<br />

typical costs associated with on-premise solutions such as storage and staffi ng. And cloud technology is<br />

subscription-based taking the load off of capital budgets…saving money and allowing funds to be shifted to<br />

mission-critical services.<br />

Highly Automated<br />

Agencies and organizations do not need to be concerned with keeping software up-to-date. Required updates<br />

are automated and handled through the secure cloud.<br />

Flexible and Mobile<br />

Cloud computing offers much more fl exibility than past models; it can be easily scaled up or down according<br />

to demand. Additionally, the mobility of the environment means that staff can securely access data they need<br />

PG. 4


HIGHLIGHTS<br />

from anywhere at any time, whether it’s through a desktop computer, a<br />

laptop or a handheld device.<br />

Easily Deployed<br />

Instead of having to manage and deploy complicated on-premise<br />

applications, agencies need only connect to the secure cloud, which<br />

hosts all the solutions the user needs to get the job done. Plus, Datamaxx<br />

continually adds valued services, so organizations can easily take<br />

advantage of new solutions.<br />

But not just any cloud will do...<br />

For agencies and organizations handling sensitive and critical data, it<br />

is imperative to choose a secure cloud center run by a provider that<br />

understands your unique needs. The Datamaxx Secure Cloud is located<br />

within the only privately held facility that meets <strong>Nlets</strong> and FBI CJIS<br />

Security Policy requirements and is audited by <strong>Nlets</strong> and FBI CJIS<br />

on a routine basis no different than a CJIS System Agency. And Datamaxx is a premier solution provider<br />

exclusively to the law enforcement, criminal justice, public safety, and homeland security markets for more<br />

than 20 years. The Datamaxx Secure Cloud is based in our state-of-the-art Network Operations Center<br />

(NOC). The Datamaxx NOC has been carefully designed to meet stringent <strong>Nlets</strong> and FBI CJIS Security<br />

Policy requirements by housing sensitive hardware and software in a biometrically access controlled area,<br />

powered by redundant uninterruptible power supplies and protected by state-of-the-art fi re prevention<br />

systems. All Datamaxx personnel must pass <strong>Nlets</strong> and FBI CJIS Security requirements and attend and<br />

maintain a security awareness training certifi cation.<br />

Agencies such as the South Dakota Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (SDLETS) are ahead<br />

of the curve and already taking advantage of<br />

the Datamaxx Secure Cloud. “The affordability<br />

and fl exibility of the cloud environment<br />

paired with the security and law enforcement<br />

knowledge offered from Datamaxx made this<br />

an easy decision for us.” said Delton Tipton,<br />

SDLETS Manager. “Utilizing the cloud to host<br />

our Datamaxx solution suite saves our state<br />

valuable resources that can now be focused on<br />

accomplishing our mission.”<br />

All of the Datamaxx solutions, which are<br />

currently being used by 70 percent of the law<br />

enforcement communications market in North<br />

America, are available in the cloud, including our<br />

fl agship solution suite, Omnixx Enterprise. For more information on the Datamaxx Secure Cloud and our<br />

solutions, visit www.Datamaxx.com or email at marketing@datamaxx.com.<br />

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 4<br />

STRATEGIC PARTNER HIGHLIGHT (CONTINUED)<br />

THE DATAMAXX CLOUD<br />

Specifi cally designed<br />

with the public safety and<br />

homeland security market<br />

in mind<br />

Real-time access to the data<br />

you need<br />

Secure – the only <strong>Nlets</strong>and<br />

FBI-audited cloud<br />

Cost-effective<br />

Flexible and accessible<br />

from anywhere<br />

Easily deployed and<br />

updated<br />

24x7 support<br />

PG. 5


HIGHLIGHTS<br />

2011 IN REVIEW<br />

NEW REPS:<br />

1. AI—James Hill<br />

2. AZ—Jeff Raynor<br />

3. CG—Charles Fehrman<br />

4. DC—Ted Zalewski<br />

5. DS—Frank Dubiel<br />

6. FB—Jim Gerst<br />

7. GA—Terri Fisher<br />

8. MT—Jennifer Viets<br />

9. NJ—James Sherrard<br />

10. NM—Tim Struck<br />

11. OH—Jeremy Hansford<br />

12. OP—Paul Heppner<br />

13. PA—John Dougherty<br />

14. PS—Jeff Johnson<br />

15. SA—Ronald Jesz<br />

16. SS—Mary Meyers<br />

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 4<br />

STRATEGIC PARTNER HIGHLIGHT (CONTINUED)<br />

NEW PARTNERS:<br />

1. Gatso USA<br />

2. Transcore<br />

3. Central Station Alarm Association<br />

4. Elliott Investments<br />

5. Federal Signal/PIPS Technology<br />

6. Brekford<br />

7. iNet<br />

AWARDS & RECOGNITION:<br />

1. ICE Director’s Award<br />

2. Governor’s Celebration of<br />

Innovation Finalist<br />

BRODIE ASSISTANCE FUND:<br />

1. Renamed from NAF to BAF in honor of Russ<br />

2. DL & Corrections Photos: 4<br />

3. STARS Conference: 29<br />

NEW EMPLOYEES:<br />

1. Tony Abate<br />

2. Matt Butler<br />

3. Jay Cruse<br />

4. Randy DeForest<br />

5. Kayelyn Means<br />

6. Joel Miranda<br />

GRANT 7 PROJECT SUCCESS:<br />

1. CHIEF: (28 in 2010) 29<br />

2. Phase IV approved<br />

3. NISP/NCIEN: (24 in 2010) 26<br />

CONFERENCE & MEETING HIGHLIGHTS:<br />

1. New offi cers<br />

2. New Board of Directors<br />

3. Training Committee established by BOD<br />

4. Board of Directors approved $250 donation to<br />

offi cers killed on duty<br />

5. President’s Award: Charles Schaeffer, FL<br />

6. Hall of Fame Award: Frank Minice, Sr.<br />

PG. 6


ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS<br />

INTERNAL STAFF CHANGES<br />

from Steve Correll, <strong>Nlets</strong> Executive Director<br />

KYLE DARNELL, SR. PROJECT MANAGER<br />

As many of you know, Kyle stepped up last year and earlier this year to support our project management<br />

efforts both before and after Russ’s passing. He self initiated his PM coursework and training and passed<br />

the PMI Certifi cation test earlier this year which was a goal that <strong>Nlets</strong> had set for Kyle to achieve – all while<br />

driving forward with the growing PM needs of the corporation. He has met the requirements necessary to be<br />

successful in the Senior position and he has worked hard for this deserved promotion.<br />

KEITH MEYERS, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE<br />

After careful consideration and in consultation with the F&M, <strong>Nlets</strong> Board, <strong>Nlets</strong> has promoted Keith to<br />

the position of Director of Finance and Administration beginning January 1, 2012. Keith has been Acting<br />

Director of Finance and Administration since July and has led us through the last round of F&M and Board<br />

meetings with exemplary results. With two internal promotions, will be back-fi lling Keith’s department early<br />

in 2012 with an accounting expert to assist in the day to day needs of the corporation.<br />

BARBARA GRABER, SR. ACCOUNTANT<br />

This is a new position where Barbara will take over the duties previously completed by Keith, without the<br />

managerial component. Barbara has continuously demonstrated the skills and experience necessary to be<br />

successful in this role during her tenure with <strong>Nlets</strong> and has worked diligently to reach this level of success.<br />

FRANK MINICE, DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR<br />

The Board of Directors has approved a new position within <strong>Nlets</strong> – Deputy Executive Director. After careful<br />

consideration and in consultation with the F&M and the Board, beginning January 1, 2012 Frank Minice<br />

will fi ll this role. In support of our internal goal to have depth in position and with our continued growth here<br />

at <strong>Nlets</strong>, it was important that <strong>Nlets</strong> have a clearly defi ned second in command. We will not be fi lling the<br />

vacated CITO Position. As a component of the Deputy Executive Director, Frank will continue to serve <strong>Nlets</strong><br />

technology needs as he did in his role of CITO.<br />

KATE SILHOL, LEAD SOFTWARE ENGINEER<br />

In this new role, Kate will be responsible for leading the organization’s application development and analysis<br />

functions within the <strong>Nlets</strong> suite of services. She will be overseeing activities performed by our employed and<br />

contracted application workforce in order to drive the quality of application solutions. Included in her new<br />

responsibilities, Kate will assist with capital/expense planning as it pertains to application development.<br />

Joe Wagner, Information Security Analyst, has taken a position with another company. We wish him<br />

luck in his future endeavors.<br />

<strong>Vol</strong>ume VOLUME 2, ISSUE <strong>Iss</strong>ue 41<br />

PG. Pg. 7₇


ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS<br />

UPCOMING MEETINGS<br />

Mark your calendars!<br />

2012 Spring TOC:<br />

March 27th-28th, 2012<br />

Charleston, SC<br />

2012 F&M:<br />

April 10th-11th, 2012<br />

Phoenix, AZ<br />

2012 Board of Directors:<br />

May 9th-10th, 2012<br />

Deadwood, SD<br />

2012 Annual Conference:<br />

June 26th-28th, 2012<br />

Waikoloa, HI<br />

CONTACT US<br />

ASK STEVE<br />

Steve Correll, <strong>Nlets</strong> Executive Director, is always available to answer your questions.<br />

FEEDBACK<br />

We welcome your feedback on:<br />

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 4<br />

WIKI USER GUIDE<br />

You must be logged into the member site<br />

to access the Wiki.<br />

The Wiki User Guide is a<br />

resource for <strong>Nlets</strong> reps and State<br />

resources (as approved by the<br />

rep) seeking further explanations<br />

or assistance regarding <strong>Nlets</strong><br />

systems and services.<br />

In addition to email alerting,<br />

subscription to an RSS feed of<br />

any page is available to track any<br />

changes or updates.<br />

To view the Wiki, visit:<br />

https://www.nlets.org/member/userguide<br />

To register for <strong>Nlets</strong>.org and Wiki<br />

access, visit:<br />

https://nlets.org/request-an-account<br />

Please send your questions to asksteve@nlets.org.<br />

• Questions or comments regarding the current issue;<br />

• Ideas for future newsletter content; or,<br />

• Corrections.<br />

Contact us at info@nlets.org.<br />

NEW EMPLOYEE<br />

<strong>Nlets</strong> is pleased to announce Joel<br />

Miranda as the newest <strong>Nlets</strong><br />

employee! Joel will serve as a<br />

part-time employee at the <strong>Nlets</strong><br />

24/7Operations Center.<br />

NEW NLETS REPS<br />

<strong>Nlets</strong> is pleased to announce<br />

Mary Meyers as the new <strong>Nlets</strong><br />

rep for the Secret Service!<br />

<strong>Nlets</strong> is pleased to announce Dr.<br />

Natalie Chrastil as the new <strong>Nlets</strong><br />

rep for the state of Wyoming!<br />

PG. 8

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