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Return to Article: Marine Corps general criticizes Intranet project

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  Was hoping to find more blogs on the infamous NMCI......A system and concept where the tail truly wags the dog. I don't know if I'd ever be able to capture the lost productivity and manhours due to the array of problems since NMCI was first Beta'd at NAVAIR, but I'd love to know, then take those "Metrics" and shove them in the face of the elected lawmaker, staffer and corporate weenie. Oh, and don't you advocates of NMCI bothering telling me that these shortfalls are justified as the cost of doing business. Any Fortune 100 company with results that NMCI produces would have terminated their CIO long ago. Do you hear that ADM Godwin and Susan Keene? Shame on you for not holding the feet of EDS to the contractual fire and listening to your end users on the pointy end of the spear!

  GovExec.com reader Posted May 4, 2005 11:01 AM
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  Apparently, Capt Madsen is disconnected and perhaps has something to gain from this whole crazy venture. I interviewed with a subcontractor who need many ISSMs and ISSOs. I was not selected and now I thank my lucky stars. Because of cost overuns, this same subcontractor had to lay-off the majority of their workforce. Lots of former Marines and Sailors out of work now.

  Umm, ??? Texas - EDS - President Bush, ex-gov of Texas.

  GovExec.com reader Posted August 20, 2004 6:53 PM
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  Wouldn't ya just know it's be a United States Marine to tell the Navy where the bear goes in the woods?! Outstanding! You stand tall and proud there Marine. The rest of them have been neutered. Say. Wasn't this outfit supplying the NMCI system owned by some little fellar down Texas way? Kindda looked like a starving jack rabbit with a big mouth if I remember correctly. Had a funny name to. Something like Pee'Rot I think. And no, I didn't spell that wrong. Yup! He's still screwing things up.

  Art Doss Posted June 24, 2004 7:26 PM
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  As an NMCI user I am in that 20% that is very dissatisfied. Capt Madsen doesn't care because he has no competition--in an open market he and NMCI would be out of business in a flash.

  NMCI User

  GovExec.com reader Posted June 24, 2004 1:14 PM
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  The Intranet Project is a joke! The updates available from Microsoft are not pushed to the users in a timely manner. As far as productivity in my work place I find it too restrictive to provide quality work products. The process for getting software is too regulated and constrictive. It is without a doubt a "Pig in A Poke"!

  GovExec.com reader Posted June 24, 2004 9:27 AM
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  I was appalled by Capt. Madsen's remarks. First of all as a Program Manager he should not say he has heard of problems. He should know. Secondly, he sounds like he is saying 80% is okay. I work for the Navy and was quite embarrassed at such a statement. I run a small IT shop and 80% satisfaction on the part of the customers I support is not okay. If my people got an 80% satisfaction rating I would be furious and so would my boss. Would the Capt. of a naval vessel accept 80% from his crew or equipment? Would someone in combat accept 80% satisfaction rate on his weapon firing? I know of many users who now have 2 desktop PCs on their crowded desks due to NMCI. I know of one building with less than 75 personnel who have had 6 of their NMCI notebooks go belly up. NMCI recommendations was to make frequent backups. My boss travels extensively. It took NMCI in excess of 3 weeks to set him up to check his email while TDY. He is still having problems. I, as an IT professional, have not heard anyone praise NMCI. I can only surmise that the word is not getting up the chain or it is being censored or it is being ignored. Perhaps the people filling out customer satisfaction surveys are not the end users or the end users are so frustrated that they do not fill out customer surveys. I wonder when someone will stop trying to save face and accept responsibility for a bad decision. I hear NAVSUP is granting leave without pay leave. I'm guessing this is to try to keep from furloughing people. Perhaps if they cancelled the contract they could save some money. Maybe GAO should take a look at this situation. As usual the Marines have gotten it right. Hats off to Lt. Gen. Hanlon.

  GovExec.com reader Posted June 23, 2004 6:49 PM
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  Bravo Zulu! Finally, someone that speaks the truth. The Navy is acting way too cozy with EDS. EDS is a producer, the Navy is a customer. The Navy should act like a consumer and demand a product that addresses the requirements that the users have.

  GovExec.com reader Posted June 23, 2004 2:26 PM
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  It's about time someone of rank tells the truth. No one in the Navy wants to rock the boat about the NMIC (AKA Titanic). If this system is so good how come most users have two computers on their desk and they still have to use their old system to get their work done? I hope that when this system takes over Navy Medicine it does not cost anyone their life or if it does it is someone up the chain at least that way someone will look at it with open eyes. The system is driven by the philosophy that money can fix anything. Let's hope that this system is not another Sgt. York weapon.

  LEA Posted June 23, 2004 12:04 PM
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  Another boondaggle for the private sector. At least you have heard the truth once about this hunk of junk they are giving us. It does not work and will have many problems forever. Delay after delay, that is what is happening because they (EDS) can't get it to work.

  More money wasted, again.

  GovExec.com reader Posted June 23, 2004 6:57 AM