1. COL Charles Wells PM, DCGS-A charles.wells@us.army.mil (443) 861-2442
Deploying the Cloud: Lessons Learned from Early Adopters of Secure Cloud
Welcome to the conference
I would like to take a few minutes to fill you in on the cloud computing solution we currently have deployed in Afghanistan
December 16, 2011
COL Charles Wells
PM, DCGS-A
(443)

2. Lessons Learned: Deployment of First Tactical Cloud in DoD
SIPR IOC: 6 Apr 2011
CXI IOC: 25 May 2011
Size, Weight, Power Considerations Critical
Pad space difficult to obtain – Move chiller into Pod to minimize footprint
Limited amperage on LSAs / FOBs
Maximum processing/storage with least power
High-efficiency / “green” components preferred
Transport – flexibility is key
Need the ability to fit Cloud pod on MIL Airlift (C-130/C-141)
Commodity Hardware works well:
Meet military needs without MILSPEC
Inexpensive and quick to procure and field
Leverage latest innovations from industry
Software:
Existing Government software solutions work
NSA Cloud work leveraged for Army tactical Cloud deployment
Huge savings – development costs and long-term O&M
Participate in software forums / committees
Intelligence Community (IC) Cloud, Ozone Widget Framework, Forge.mil
Ensure that project needs are reflected in future versions
“Open source is a two way street“ – Contribute back to the community
Cloud software development occurs rapidly
Diligent configuration management critical to success
Personnel:
Market for Cloud Experts - tight
Leverage dual-approach:
Temporary cloud experts focused on immediate / critical projects
Balance with long-term Cloud team for continuity
We deployed the DCGS-A Cloud on SIPRNET and CXI earlier this year (IOC on April 6th) this year and we are already applying enhancements in a service pack.
We learned many lessons including:
Hardware:
Use commoditized hardware – it is less expensive and can be purchased much more quickly.
Cloud software including hadoop make using commoditized hardware a much more resilient choice than previous hardware solutions.
Software:
Leverage existing Government software solutions – they are some of the best. The work done at NSA is a significant component of our solution set.
Engage in all related software committees (i.e. Intelligence Community (IC) cloud, Ozone Widget Framework, etc.) to make sure that project needs are reflected in future versions. Open source is a two way street so plan for contributing back to the community as you develop widgets and code.
Cloud software development occurs rapidly, configuration management is critical to success with the diversity of connected activities
Staffing:
The staffing market for cloud computing experts is very tight (competing with Google, Facebook, etc.). 
Use dual-path training bringing in some cloud experts for immediate impact, but also retrain existing high-performing staff in cloud technologies using available cloud classes, webinars, project-specific training materials, etc.

3. Lessons Learned: Deployment of First Tactical Cloud in DoD
Lessons from Soldiers:
Must support analysts’ workflows
Collaborative tools are critical to support Intel success and effectiveness
Build for simplicity: Tools wont be used if they don’t make the Soldier’s job easier
Soldier / Developer communication key
Plan for getting feedback from analysts throughout the development lifecycle.
Don’t dismiss small usability items What might be overlooked by a developer could be a an analyst’s “golden widget”
Communication is Two-way: Ensure Intel analysts fully understand new widget capabilities and application
SandStorm
Common Map Widget
Time Line
Lessons from users:
Remember that the users have workflows that you must support – if we are not making life easier for them then we need to rethink our approach.
Plan for getting feedback from users throughout the lifecycle.
Some feedback will be good and some not so good but act on all of it.
Don’t dismiss small usability items – out users reminded us that the developer’s screens were much larger that laptop screens in the field.
Communicate, communicate, communicate – remember that even the best commercial products use marketing to build awareness. Apple reminds us of this fact with each new version of the iPad or iPhone. We have to actively launch products so that users are aware of the capabilities the secure clouds bring to the fight.