SMART UPDATE - OVERSEAS PILOT POST

UNCLAS STATE 022253 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AADP ACOA AMGT AINF ASEC KRIM SUBJECT: SMART UPDATE - OVERSEAS PILOT POST DEPLOYMENT STATUS REF: A) 08 STATE 132223, B) 08 STATE 031117 C) 07 STATE 5962, D) 07 STATE 166357, E) 07 STATE 106047, F) 07 STATE 000228, G) 06STATE 188033, H) 06 STATE 086867, I) 06 STATE 028721, J) 05 STATE 219156, K)05 STATE 152885, L) 05 STATE 013048 SUMMARY: This telegram is part of an ongoing series that provides SMART program updates to the field. SMART is currently operational on ClassNet at four posts: Ft. Lauderdale, Tashkent, Muscat, and Djibouti. The SMART Program Management Office is carefully monitoring user feedback to fine-tune the product and efficiently manage the deployment process. ¶1. SMART - State Messaging and Archive Retrieval Toolset - consolidates cables and e-mail, provides search capabilities, and enables collaboration. It is a user- driven system designed to support the conduct of diplomacy by integrating commercial applications including Communicator (IM),SharePoint, Office 2007, and Google search. When fully deployed, it will provide more targeted messaging as well as greater access to internal information. SMART will inevitably affect the way the Department conducts its business, as its culture of need to know is supplanted by the evolving need to share. ¶2. SMART was installed in Muscat and Djibouti in January 2009 to evoke additional user feedback on functionality and usability. Several adjustments to the product had been made as a consequence of the earlier experience in Ft. Lauderdale and Tashkent. ¶3. Usability issues identified by ClassNet users in Muscat and Djibouti include procedures for message classification, nomenclature, search options, printing, and business processes. These issues have been addressed in the past few weeks and solutions are being coded for the next iteration of SMART. ¶4. Pilot 2 users in Athens and Mexico City, as well as the four ongoing pilot posts, will experience the changes when the next round of pilots is launched - scheduled for late March through April. ¶5. Pilot 3 - with full functionality on both OpenNet and ClassNet - will commence in May and conclude in June. The SMART PMO will continue to monitor user feedback during Pilot 3 - and will make any changes that may be necessary to ensure a positive user experience during worldwide deployment ¶6. SMART Deployment Teams will continue to work closely with pilot advocates to coordinate preparation requirements, including standardization of desktops. Details of these requirements, including desktop software, can be found on the SMART website. ¶7. The SMART website http://SMART.state.gov has been recently redesigned to provide additional information about SMART for advocates, IT specialists, and general users. In addition, Quick Guides (print and video) are being updated to reflect changes undertakes as a result of user feedback. ¶8. The piloting experience has been extraordinarily valuable in helping us fulfill our promise of a user-driven system. Although we have addressed practically all user-identified issues, it will not be a surprise if others emerge in the remaining pilots. We appreciate your patience and urge your continuing goodwill and candor in providing feedback. ¶9. Minimize considered. CLINTON