| Client: | US Agency for International Development (USAID) |
| Project | Training Results and Information Network (TraiNet) |
| Contract Type: | Blanket Purchase Authorization (BPA) built on GSA IT/70 Schedule |
Challenge
Each year USAID funds scores of training programs through its mission programs around the world. In 2002 alone, USAID funded training for more than 400,000 foreign nationals in more than 70 countries. Because USAID did not have a data management system to collect training information directly from its overseas missions, those considerable training accomplishments went underreported. USAID was in clear need of a training data management system that met the needs of foreign assistance offices throughout the world with varying levels of internet access: off-line, low bandwidth, and high-bandwidth.
Solution
USAID contracted with Devis to provide a solution for aggregating the agency's training data in an accurate and cost-effective manner. Devis responded with a new technical and business process infrastructure and corresponding software tools needed to collect the information. In support of this effort, Devis provided a wide range of strategic, technical, project and data management services.
The solution Devis developed is known as TraiNet (Training Results and Information Network) and is now the official OMB Paperwork Reduction Act approved GOTS (Government off-the shelf) package for USAID training management. Devis created an innovative user interface which uses task wizards, dashboards, and allows for user customizable reporting. TraiNet system consists of a managed Windows desktop client application installed at each training location. The software collects the data and then delivers it directly to a central data repository. Information sharing is implemented using Extensible Markup Language (XML). An intuitive, web-based user interface is provided to support a wide variety of customer support and reporting needs. An enterprise class messaging architecture was required and developed given the variable Internet connectivity around the globe. Currently, TraiNet is operational in nearly 80 countries with over 250 installations worldwide. TraiNet is unique in that the overall system utilizes a mix of standards-based architectures using XML messaging, secure and private HTTPS transactions for workflow approvals, and standard Web browser access for non-secure users and the general public.
Devis provides on-going technical support to end users via Devis TotalSupport help desk services, and generates reports on USAID training activities for a variety of uses, including Congressional reporting. In addition, Devis provides Web application hosting, a managed database server, and an Internet XML messaging server hosted in Devis' state-of-the-art hosting facilities. In effect, the USAID has outsourced all data management services related to monitoring their training programs to Devis.
Devis enjoys a long standing relationship with USAID. It began working with the Agency in the early 1990's, and in 1998 was awarded full operational control over the official training database for the Agency.
As a result of Devis' efforts, there has been a dramatic and measurable increase in the accuracy of reporting regarding USAID's training efforts.