AT&T R&D Innovation
Forum
Trip Report
1st Quarter
Tom Cobianchi
I. Attendees:
Air Force Space Command (AFSC):
Col. John Collier, ASS/CC, Commander, AFSC
Communications Support Squadron
Dale Carlson, GS14, Chief, Networks Flights
AT&T Government Markets (Colorado):
Warren Hickey
Tom Cobianchi
II. Key Presentations (order of AFSC priority):
1. AT&T Labs Research: Broadband Initiatives, Dr. Larry Rabiner, VP, AT&T Labs – Research
2. AT&T Solutions, Michael Antieri, VP, AT&T Solutions
3. AT&T’s Next Generation Network: Transport & Switching, Dr. Hossein Eslambolchi, AT&T Fellow, VP, Network Operations Enterprise
4. AT&T Broadband & Internet Services, Anthony Werner, EVP, Engineering & Planning Operations, CTO
5. The Evolution to the 3rd Generation, Umesch Amin, Director, New Technology & Planning Technology Development Group, AT&T Wireless Services All presentations can be downloaded from the following web sitehttp://whatsup.attlabs.att.com/IF-Winter2000/agenda03xx.shtml
III. AT&T R&D Innovation Theme:
Discuss and demonstrate emerging telecommunications to the AT&T market environment.
IV. Sales Objective:
Continue to develop business/technical relationships with key AFSPC personnel and introduce our customer to AT&T technical initiatives. Look for opportunities to match AT&T technology with funded customer requirements.
V. Situation Analysis:
AFSPC is currently concerned about their communications requirements being met through the current DISA/DITCO environment employing the DISN system. AFSPC does not feel DISA/DITCO understands or is sensitive to AFSPC technical requirements. According to AFSPC, part of the problem may be limited technical staff and the fact that DISA is driven to joint force (purple) requirements rather than individual service requirements. Technology is available to solve current and future communication problems. However and, in addition, the current DISA/DITCO contracting and implementation process does not adequately support AFSPC objectives.
Furthermore, there is a significant level of difficulty in meeting new requirements when integrating these new requirements with legacy systems. Note, the communication architecture is an evolutionary rather than revolutionary process. Secondly, a portion of the AFSPC personnel, at the implementation level, through its experience model, is focused on point-to-point (dedicated circuit) architecture whereby technology has moved towards global networking (client/server).
Moving to a client/server approach, from the traditional Air Force viewpoint, no longer allows the customer to control the communication process. The customer is not comfortable once its communications disappears into the “cloud.” The customer (e.g., AFSPC and DISA) may need to be educated in terms of: (1) network (what’s in the cloud) and (2) requiring telcos to deliver performance and can not be held responsible for customer directed topology. It may also be pointed out that since the customer does not own the network (only rents access capability); it does not pay for any hardware or software enhancements and (3) AFSPC has a limited technical staff and funding profile to support future communication upgrades.
VI. Discussion Topics with AFSPC:
1. AT&T to deliver the R&D Forum presentations to AFSPC.
2. After AFSPC reviews presentations, AFSPC and AT&T to develop a technology briefing to Maj. Gen. Raduege. Note, there may be a question as to whether AFSPC or AT&T should be the presenter. Warren Hickey will review this subject with Dale Carlson.
3. AT&T and AFSPC to investigate the notion of developing a “tiger team” comprised of AT&T, AFSPC and DISA to discuss how to modify the current technical and contracting process to become more effective (everybody on the same page).
4. AT&T to develop an educational briefing that supports global network architecture. Col. Collier supports this notion. This tutorial should take into consideration comparing and contrasting the benefits and risks between global networks and point-to point architectures.
5. Discussion included the possibility of AT&T assuming the role as the system integrator for AFSPC requirements.
6. The AFSPC customer was pleased with the overall AT&T presentations, but would like to have been presented metrics on specific applications. It was pointed out, and agreed to, that these presentations were designed to deliver an overall technology thrust. It was discussed that, in the future, the forum should be two days, with the second day focused on breakout groups addressing specific applications along with supporting metrics.
VII. Sales and Business Development Positioning Strategy:
1. Convert the R&D Forum presentations into a technology briefing for Maj. Gen. Raduege that address current AFSPC communications issues (i.e., bandwidth and integration of technology with legacy systems),
2. Develop a briefing (PowerPoint presentation with supporting “white paper”) to educate AFSPC personnel on the concept and application of global networks.
3. Position AT&T through the educational briefing to assume the leadership role in developing the AT&T, AFSPC and DISA “tiger team.”
4. Further investigate AFSPC interest in broadband, voice over IP and wireless office technologies.
The aforementioned strategies are designed to position AT&T as the AFSPC system integration, telecommunications partner and technical liaison with DISA. Therefore, as requirements develop, AT&T would be in a position to influence technical specifications that favor AT&T product and service offerings. Furthermore, AT&T would have advance notice (e.g., prior CBD) regarding sales opportunities and product/service forecasting for AT&T resources. The strategy includes working with AT&T product houses in an effort to match future funded requirements with AT&T core technology. This may help AT&T RD invest in technology that supports and influences future customer requirements (feature/function/benefit process).
Maj. Gen. Raduege may be going to DISA in the Spring, therefore it is in AFSPC’s interest to groom him for his next assignment. It is in AT&T’s interest to support AFSPC’s effort (global network architecture education and AT&T in the potential system integrator role).
We discussed with AFSPC, the need to find a champion(s) to support the communication mission, both technically and from a funding profile viewpoint. Currently the Air Force spends approximately $3.4Billion on all communications mission requirements. Telecommunications represents about 3% of the overall budget ($102Million). In reference to champions, we discussed the possibility of engaging Maj. Gen. Raduege and Lt. Gen. Norm Woods (USAF-Retired) President, AFCEA International. On this note, encourage AFCEA, as the industry/military trade organization, to sponsor technology forum to promote telecommunications (standards and budget support). Lt. Gen. Woods has expanded the traditional C4I platform into Virtual Government.
VIII. Investment Consideration:
Investigate the possibility of directing R&D funds towards addressing potential technical telecommunications’ future requirements. Invite the military (including AFSPC representation) and DISA to work with AT&T labs to define requirements. Col. Collier indicated that, in his opinion, it would take $500k to $700k of R&D investment to support this effort. According to Dr. Rabiner, VP, AT&T labs-Research, AT&T invests in the range of $2Billion. In order for this investment strategy to have merit, there would have to be an investment (cost sharing) and commitment from the military. In addition, the research would have to address joint service issues to gain support and to avoid service partiality.
IX. Action Items:
1. Provide R&D presentations to AFSPC (Cobianchi/Hickey)
2. Work with AFSPC to develop technology briefing for Maj. Gen. Raduege (Cobianchi/Hickey with support from Beiermschmitt)
3. Meet with AFSPC to discuss communications “tiger team” concept (Cobianchi/Hickey)
4. Discuss AFSPC specific communications budget and upcoming requirements (Cobianchi)
5. Work with AFSPC to investigate AFCEA study group sponsorship, possibly have Col. Collier approach Maj. Gen. Raduege to entertain discussion with Lt. Gen. Woods. Consider discussing issues of legacy systems, current DISA, standards, funding profiles, AT&T R&D role. (Cobianchi et.al.)
6. Keep Ken Love, DISA AFSPC liaison, Sean Donahoe, and Bob Gillen abreast of all developments. (Cobianchi)
7. Since AFSPC is a “purple” environment, include Dave Trautman in development discussions. Dave attended the AT&T R&D Forum with one of his ARMY customers. They indicated our approach may have merit providing our focus is joint service oriented. (Cobianchi)
8. Contact Barry Morgan, per Col. Collier and Doug Lovero, USAF, System Program Director, NAVSTAR GPS Joint Program Office, Los Angeles AFB, regarding network systems architecture for AFSPC. (Cobianchi/Hickey)
9. Suggest to Col. Collier the possibility, and if appropriate, to bring up some of our mutual ideas with Lt. Gen. Woorward, Joint Staff, J6 and Col. Klooster, HQ NORAD-USSOACECOM/J6V during the AT&T GNOC visit on March 22nd. (Cobianchi)
10. Dr. Eslambolchi, AT&T Fellow, VP Network Operations Enterprise, indicated during the R&D Forum he may be available to join us during the GNOC visit. Follow up with Dr. Eslambolchi regarding his availability. (Cobianchi)
11. Engage AT&T senior management to support our efforts (customer contact stratification process) with its customer management counterparts (e.g., Lt. Gen. Woodward)( Armour, Tempel, Stulga, Gillen).
Trip Report
1st Quarter
Tom Cobianchi
I. Attendees:
Air Force Space Command (AFSC):
Col. John Collier, ASS/CC, Commander, AFSC
Communications Support Squadron
Dale Carlson, GS14, Chief, Networks Flights
AT&T Government Markets (Colorado):
Warren Hickey
Tom Cobianchi
II. Key Presentations (order of AFSC priority):
1. AT&T Labs Research: Broadband Initiatives, Dr. Larry Rabiner, VP, AT&T Labs – Research
2. AT&T Solutions, Michael Antieri, VP, AT&T Solutions
3. AT&T’s Next Generation Network: Transport & Switching, Dr. Hossein Eslambolchi, AT&T Fellow, VP, Network Operations Enterprise
4. AT&T Broadband & Internet Services, Anthony Werner, EVP, Engineering & Planning Operations, CTO
5. The Evolution to the 3rd Generation, Umesch Amin, Director, New Technology & Planning Technology Development Group, AT&T Wireless Services All presentations can be downloaded from the following web sitehttp://whatsup.attlabs.att.com/IF-Winter2000/agenda03xx.shtml
III. AT&T R&D Innovation Theme:
Discuss and demonstrate emerging telecommunications to the AT&T market environment.
IV. Sales Objective:
Continue to develop business/technical relationships with key AFSPC personnel and introduce our customer to AT&T technical initiatives. Look for opportunities to match AT&T technology with funded customer requirements.
V. Situation Analysis:
AFSPC is currently concerned about their communications requirements being met through the current DISA/DITCO environment employing the DISN system. AFSPC does not feel DISA/DITCO understands or is sensitive to AFSPC technical requirements. According to AFSPC, part of the problem may be limited technical staff and the fact that DISA is driven to joint force (purple) requirements rather than individual service requirements. Technology is available to solve current and future communication problems. However and, in addition, the current DISA/DITCO contracting and implementation process does not adequately support AFSPC objectives.
Furthermore, there is a significant level of difficulty in meeting new requirements when integrating these new requirements with legacy systems. Note, the communication architecture is an evolutionary rather than revolutionary process. Secondly, a portion of the AFSPC personnel, at the implementation level, through its experience model, is focused on point-to-point (dedicated circuit) architecture whereby technology has moved towards global networking (client/server).
Moving to a client/server approach, from the traditional Air Force viewpoint, no longer allows the customer to control the communication process. The customer is not comfortable once its communications disappears into the “cloud.” The customer (e.g., AFSPC and DISA) may need to be educated in terms of: (1) network (what’s in the cloud) and (2) requiring telcos to deliver performance and can not be held responsible for customer directed topology. It may also be pointed out that since the customer does not own the network (only rents access capability); it does not pay for any hardware or software enhancements and (3) AFSPC has a limited technical staff and funding profile to support future communication upgrades.
VI. Discussion Topics with AFSPC:
1. AT&T to deliver the R&D Forum presentations to AFSPC.
2. After AFSPC reviews presentations, AFSPC and AT&T to develop a technology briefing to Maj. Gen. Raduege. Note, there may be a question as to whether AFSPC or AT&T should be the presenter. Warren Hickey will review this subject with Dale Carlson.
3. AT&T and AFSPC to investigate the notion of developing a “tiger team” comprised of AT&T, AFSPC and DISA to discuss how to modify the current technical and contracting process to become more effective (everybody on the same page).
4. AT&T to develop an educational briefing that supports global network architecture. Col. Collier supports this notion. This tutorial should take into consideration comparing and contrasting the benefits and risks between global networks and point-to point architectures.
5. Discussion included the possibility of AT&T assuming the role as the system integrator for AFSPC requirements.
6. The AFSPC customer was pleased with the overall AT&T presentations, but would like to have been presented metrics on specific applications. It was pointed out, and agreed to, that these presentations were designed to deliver an overall technology thrust. It was discussed that, in the future, the forum should be two days, with the second day focused on breakout groups addressing specific applications along with supporting metrics.
VII. Sales and Business Development Positioning Strategy:
1. Convert the R&D Forum presentations into a technology briefing for Maj. Gen. Raduege that address current AFSPC communications issues (i.e., bandwidth and integration of technology with legacy systems),
2. Develop a briefing (PowerPoint presentation with supporting “white paper”) to educate AFSPC personnel on the concept and application of global networks.
3. Position AT&T through the educational briefing to assume the leadership role in developing the AT&T, AFSPC and DISA “tiger team.”
4. Further investigate AFSPC interest in broadband, voice over IP and wireless office technologies.
The aforementioned strategies are designed to position AT&T as the AFSPC system integration, telecommunications partner and technical liaison with DISA. Therefore, as requirements develop, AT&T would be in a position to influence technical specifications that favor AT&T product and service offerings. Furthermore, AT&T would have advance notice (e.g., prior CBD) regarding sales opportunities and product/service forecasting for AT&T resources. The strategy includes working with AT&T product houses in an effort to match future funded requirements with AT&T core technology. This may help AT&T RD invest in technology that supports and influences future customer requirements (feature/function/benefit process).
Maj. Gen. Raduege may be going to DISA in the Spring, therefore it is in AFSPC’s interest to groom him for his next assignment. It is in AT&T’s interest to support AFSPC’s effort (global network architecture education and AT&T in the potential system integrator role).
We discussed with AFSPC, the need to find a champion(s) to support the communication mission, both technically and from a funding profile viewpoint. Currently the Air Force spends approximately $3.4Billion on all communications mission requirements. Telecommunications represents about 3% of the overall budget ($102Million). In reference to champions, we discussed the possibility of engaging Maj. Gen. Raduege and Lt. Gen. Norm Woods (USAF-Retired) President, AFCEA International. On this note, encourage AFCEA, as the industry/military trade organization, to sponsor technology forum to promote telecommunications (standards and budget support). Lt. Gen. Woods has expanded the traditional C4I platform into Virtual Government.
VIII. Investment Consideration:
Investigate the possibility of directing R&D funds towards addressing potential technical telecommunications’ future requirements. Invite the military (including AFSPC representation) and DISA to work with AT&T labs to define requirements. Col. Collier indicated that, in his opinion, it would take $500k to $700k of R&D investment to support this effort. According to Dr. Rabiner, VP, AT&T labs-Research, AT&T invests in the range of $2Billion. In order for this investment strategy to have merit, there would have to be an investment (cost sharing) and commitment from the military. In addition, the research would have to address joint service issues to gain support and to avoid service partiality.
IX. Action Items:
1. Provide R&D presentations to AFSPC (Cobianchi/Hickey)
2. Work with AFSPC to develop technology briefing for Maj. Gen. Raduege (Cobianchi/Hickey with support from Beiermschmitt)
3. Meet with AFSPC to discuss communications “tiger team” concept (Cobianchi/Hickey)
4. Discuss AFSPC specific communications budget and upcoming requirements (Cobianchi)
5. Work with AFSPC to investigate AFCEA study group sponsorship, possibly have Col. Collier approach Maj. Gen. Raduege to entertain discussion with Lt. Gen. Woods. Consider discussing issues of legacy systems, current DISA, standards, funding profiles, AT&T R&D role. (Cobianchi et.al.)
6. Keep Ken Love, DISA AFSPC liaison, Sean Donahoe, and Bob Gillen abreast of all developments. (Cobianchi)
7. Since AFSPC is a “purple” environment, include Dave Trautman in development discussions. Dave attended the AT&T R&D Forum with one of his ARMY customers. They indicated our approach may have merit providing our focus is joint service oriented. (Cobianchi)
8. Contact Barry Morgan, per Col. Collier and Doug Lovero, USAF, System Program Director, NAVSTAR GPS Joint Program Office, Los Angeles AFB, regarding network systems architecture for AFSPC. (Cobianchi/Hickey)
9. Suggest to Col. Collier the possibility, and if appropriate, to bring up some of our mutual ideas with Lt. Gen. Woorward, Joint Staff, J6 and Col. Klooster, HQ NORAD-USSOACECOM/J6V during the AT&T GNOC visit on March 22nd. (Cobianchi)
10. Dr. Eslambolchi, AT&T Fellow, VP Network Operations Enterprise, indicated during the R&D Forum he may be available to join us during the GNOC visit. Follow up with Dr. Eslambolchi regarding his availability. (Cobianchi)
11. Engage AT&T senior management to support our efforts (customer contact stratification process) with its customer management counterparts (e.g., Lt. Gen. Woodward)( Armour, Tempel, Stulga, Gillen).