Information Technology Standards

MEMORANDUM FOR:   All HUD Employees and Contractors

FROM:   Carolyn Cockrell, Director, Office of Information Technology

SUBJECT:   Information Technology Standards

         Maintaining information technology standards for all components of our computing platform helps to assure trouble-free systems operation, and good customer service.

         For nearly 18 years, the Office of Information Technology (IT) has established Department-wide standards for hardware and software configurations that have supported HUD's mission-critical operations. Standards are the vital element of planning and control that lead to: (a) a national, "enterprise- wide" computing capability; (b) e-mail and Internet access Department-wide; (c) applications that work consistently on networks installed in all HUD offices; (d) greater technical support for hardware and software products; (e) smoother implementation of upgrades; and (f) open-ended capability to share information with business partners and customers. Supporting strong IT standards is both a good business and a good technical decision; it is what makes our technology work as designed and intended.

         As the HUD workforce becomes ever more computer and technology literate, we increasingly hear complaints from employees that the Department does not have the most current technology. An organization of HUD's size, and with its complex systems and network requirements, cannot have all of the newest hardware and software that is on the shelves of computer stores or in the trade publications. In addition to budget limitations, all hardware and software that we deploy must be fully tested to assure that it supports our programs' operations and production systems. The unilateral efforts of well-intentioned individuals to "upgrade" elements of HUD's computing platform often result in application malfunctions or degraded system performance.

         Users should not attempt to modify or add software or hardware on HUD's system without the approval and assistance of IT staff, and IT staff should be conscientious in their support of IT standards. Each year HUD invests millions of dollars upgrading its workstations and local area networks. Each year also sees upgrades and additions to at least some portion of the Departmental software platform; whether it is a new version of a standard development tool or the periodic updating of the desktop software suite. Because the successful installation and functioning of these changes in the computing platform is dependent on a high level of standardization, compliance with established standards is of great importance. In addition, technological innovations and improvements continue to be a vital part of Departmental Management Reform Plans, and timely implementation of these will likewise demand strict adherence to our standards.

         Occasionally, there will be a need for providing non-standard hardware or software to accomplish a specific business requirement that our standard products cannot satisfy. This can and will be done, but it is important that non-standard hardware or software be introduced into the HUD computing environment only after consulting with IT staff and after the non-standard product has been tested to assure its compatibility.

         All employees are responsible for adhering to HUD's IT standards. In IT, we do our part to ensure that applications work across our nationwide network, and we are continually reviewing and improving our standards. Remember: IT standards "empower" rather than restrict. We all will benefit from the improved technology and communications that IT standards support Department-wide.