The Postal Service has the third largest information technology (IT) infrastructure in the world, and all functions depend on this infrastructure. Further, customers depend on numerous Web-based products, such as Click-N-Ship, change-of-address and hold mail services, as well as Post Office Box payments.
To protect its IT infrastructure from the thousands of network attacks it faces daily, significant controls have been implemented, including full disk encryption on end-user mobile devices and the installation of personal firewall capability on all systems. IT has also increased its data monitoring capability to ensure that proper controls exist over use and storage of sensitive data, and to limit access to an as-needed basis. Continuous security awareness activities and training were increased to enable all users to identify security risks and policy violations.
Enterprise Physical Access Control System (ePACS) is used to link all computerized access control systems through local area network. When actions are taken in one system, it reflects system-wide. Since deployment, ePACS has significantly enhanced the security of employees, facilities, and assets.
IT network upgrades have been completed so that more than 34,000 facilities have direct connections to the postal network. Network capacity is closely monitored and sites are upgraded or transitioned every four years based on need and cost. The wide area network is being leveraged for several new applications. Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) is in early pilot stages, with plans for hardware migration scheduled for 2011. High-definition video conferencing has been deployed in several locations to enhance collaboration and reduces travel costs. Live and prerecorded video are also becoming a more common medium for communications, as the postal intranet allows the deployment of these new applications with a minimal increase in cost.
The Advanced Computing Environment (ACE) is a comprehensive lifecycle management system of standardized end-user hardware and software that allows for more efficient, centralized user support. The second generation upgrades are gradually replacing older ACE units with enhanced hardware and data restore features. At the end of 2010, over 140,000 ACE II workstations were installed. The aging CRT monitors that utilize more power will be replaced by 110,000 energy-efficient monitors.
The Smartphone Mobility program continues to provide remote communications capability to employees, including Continuity of Operations team members, when operations are without power or are shut down. In 2010, over 11,000 employees utilized smartphones for voice and data communications to improve efficiency, increase mobility, and reduce communication costs by leveraging pooled cell phone minutes.
The Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW) is the integrated source of information, for business intelligence reporting, with data from more than 136 separate source systems. It provides access to a wide range of data, including retail, financial, logistics, facilities, and human resources. The EDW serves over 40,000 users who generate 12 million reports annually. As the EDW continues to evolve, the major focus will be on ensuring broad availability, maintaining data integrity, improving data presentation, and providing greater cross-functional capability.
The Postal Service’s online translation tool helps retail associates bridge the language gap and communicate more effectively with non-English-speaking customers. Postal Products and Services Translators now support 12 languages through usps.com.
