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Category Capabilities

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Capabilities

Help Desk, Software Support, and Configuration Control

IT Help Desk

The Columbia Group provides Help Desk support for its applications. Our helpdesks operate Monday through Friday from 7am to 6pm and are operational 99% of the time.

Software Support

The Columbia Group develops applications such as COBRA using our proven iterative rapid prototype approach, involving users early on in the development process – letting them work with prototypes and participate in the design process. By using this approach and drawing from our varied software development experience, we are able to offer innovative and creative solutions to any requirements.

Configuration Control

We utilize a custom solution to track Linux system configuration in private git repositories. This allows us to both identify when configurations have been changed and track the history of changes in the project repository. We run scanners that compare running config to the latest configuration in the server to ensure changes are logged.

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Capabilities

Information Assurance Services

Information Assurance Services

The Columbia Group can take an unapproved application and bring it up to the standards required to gain the certification and accreditation (C&A) approval. The C&A application is a far reaching process that requires extensive documentation and preparation of the software and hardware of an IT system.

This process includes patching, configuring, logging, monitoring and maintaining an operating system (in our case Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.6) in an effort to make the system more secure. This effort is an ongoing process. We monitor systems in numerous ways on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. We have software and hardware in place for monitoring and prevention of unauthorized intrusions or access, as well as corruption due to virus infection. Our systems are backed up daily and weekly.

We develop Contingency Plans (CPs) for the systems that spell out the methods and efforts required to bring the system back on-line in the event of a major system failure. The CPs, along with numerous other security checks, are tested annually. The security checks include such items as reviewing the software and hardware baseline, user permissions, the incident response plan, backup viability checks, and support contracts. These efforts meet the FISMA requirement for an annual security review.

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Capabilities

Database Design

Database Design

The Columbia Group has a long history of creating customized database solutions to support unique customer requirements. What sets us apart is our ability to leverage our subject matter expertise with our knowledge of technical options available enabling us to re-engineer processes to maximize use of technology. 

Our successes come as a result of our proven Iterative Rapid Prototyping approach. We begin by assembling subject matter experts who truly understand the processes with technical experts who know what tools / technologies can be applied to the requirements. We assist with defining and documenting the requirements, we identify data sources, architect technical solutions and quickly stand up prototype applications for users to begin testing and providing feedback. This can often be done in 30-60 days. We find getting users actively involved early in the development process results in much more user-friendly applications that create a better user experience.

Capabilities

COBRA

COBRA

The Computer Optimized Batch Reconciliation Application (COBRA) has been in use since February 1994. COBRA is a mature application that continues to develop as a result of an ongoing refinement process. COBRA demonstrates TCG’s ability to adapt and build any applications to connect to any mainframe.

COBRA is hosted at DECC Mechanicsburg and requires DoD issued CAC / PKI for authentication. 

For the current system status, refer to the following page: Current COBRA Status

Modules

MOCAS Reconciliation by Exception (MORE)

  • Retrieves and compares information from MOCAS and accounting systems.
  • User friendly interface uses color coding to allow focusing on problem ACRNs and identification of detail transactions contributing to the problems.

Smart Tri-Annual Review Tool (STAT)

  • Email enabled tool to support FMR required tri-annual reviews.
  • Refreshed daily with accounting data.

Contract Closeout Tool (CLOUT)

  • A centralized “portal” for all information regarding Contract Closeout efforts.
  • Coordinate, facilitate, expedite, and track progress of closeout process.

Budget Object Class System (BOCS)

  • System to support management of allocation of budget cuts and creation of budget exhibits (e.g. OP-5).

Web-based Interactive STARS History (WISH)

  • Instant access to all STARS-HCM transactions from 1984 onward.

Defense Cash Accountability System (DCAS)

  • Instant access to all DCAS data including daily transactions and pre-1990 FMS transactions.

Features

Automated Document Gathering

By controlling STARS and MOCAS sessions, COBRA can quickly and easily retrieve everything needed to perform reconciliations. A simple menu interface gets both MOCAS and STARS histories in an instant.

Interactive Tool for Analysts

COBRA is an interactive tool for analysts to research and find problems by extracting single vouchers from the histories and grouping them together, reducing their research time. After the data has been retrieved kiwi gambling, the application allows on screen interaction with the files.

Easy to Use Menu Interface

MOCAS, VIEW-EC and STARS are mainframe-based applications. They have difficult user interfaces with complicated and time-consuming navigations. COBRA shelters the user from the difficult Mainframe Interface, and greatly reduces training time and access.

Exception Identification and Analysis

Not only does COBRA identify exceptions, it uses artificial intelligence to analyze those exceptions, eliminating human errors. COBRA is an expert system programmed to simulate an analyst’s action when reconciling a contract. Each exception, checked for a variety of types of common errors, is identified and categorized.

COBRA can be tailored to the mainframe it is connected to. For example, the application produces a report that shows exceptions between STARS and MOCAS. Specifically, it:

  • Uses the same familiar formats of STARS 777 and MOCAS history reports
  • Highlights records that matches between both systems
  • Integrates outputs of all reports and summarizes them in one place
  • Includes columns identifying exception items with numerical codes

COBRA reconciles entire contracts but allows individual ACRNS or SPIINS to be extracted and printed, saving paper and time.

Easily Extensible Modular Program

Additional expert system modules or add-ons can be easily incorporated to perform further data analysis. COBRA is an application that is constantly built upon, improved, and tailored to the customers’ needs.

CERPS/DCAS Data from October 1990 to Present Available

The Consolidated Expenditure and Reimbursement Processing System (CERPS) was the official reporting tool of the Department of Navy used to record Navy expenditures reported to Treasury, from October 1990 to March 2003. CERPS was replaced in April 2003 by the Defense Cash Accountability System (DCAS).

Thanks to its easy-to-use interface, COBRA accesses CERPS/DCAS data stored in its extensive database. Users can then create a customized query, display its results, and export them to excel.