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National Police Commission
NAPOLCOM migrates to more powerful Fujitsu systems for quality assurance and changing needs of users
With the fast-changing world of technology, another government agency realized the criticality of migrating to more powerful computing systems that are deemed more efficient to serve the needs of the expansive demands of its users.
Since 1988, the information needs of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) have been provided by Fujitsu's FACOM K-280N minicomputer, which runs the three mission-critical systems, namely: the PNP Examinations System, Pensioners Payroll System, and the Employees Payroll System. These COBOL-based application systems were considered to be residing on a non-compliant platform to which FPI has certified to have no remediation options available except migration.
The PNP Examination System processes files and records of examinees to the PNP Examinations conducted biannually by the Commission. The system allows users to generate Room Assignment lists, Examinee Master List, and statistical reports such as passed/failed, item analysis, frequency distribution, and certified list of eligibles.
The Pensioner Payroll System, on the other hand, aids the users in the automatic computation of payroll for the pensioners. This system allows the users to generate reports such as master file Update Error List, List of Pensioners with Last Pensions, List of Expired Pensioners, Pensioners Check, Per Thousand Series Report, Pensioners Payroll MT File, and Loan Remittance List.
The Personnel Payroll System consists of three (3) main modules, which process the monthly salaries of employees and other payroll reports. These modules consist of the monthly payroll processing, other payroll processes, and year-end reports processing data.
The Commission wanted to migrate these three mission-critical systems from the 12-year old non-Y2K compliant minicomputer system to a new, top-of-the-line and Y2K-compliant system for faster processing and retrieval of data, as well as faster generation of exam results and other required reports.
Exclusive domain of FPI
The proprietary nature of all the databases resident in the Fujitsu FACOM K-280N minicomputer system makes "porting" or transferring of data from the present platform the exclusive domain of FPI. In addition, FPI's track record as a premier company in providing IT-based solutions with quality service and product excellence has been one of the factors in choosing the company to serve the Commission's information needs.
Moreover, NAPOLCOM Vice-Chairman and CEO, Leo Magahum, commented: "FPI has concern for its customers' information needs. Interviews, in-depth systems investigation and presentations were regularly conducted during the initial stages of systems development to ensure the quality of its products. FPI really aims for quality assurance."
The Commission expects FPI to continue delivering and installing the required hardware and software on time with complete documentation of the new systems and provision for technical assistance and support, Magahum added.
He further said that FPI has helped the Commission in reaching the goal it has envisioned by providing the latest state-of-the-art computer equipment and the necessary software needed for the migration of the three mission critical systems. "The Commission's computerization projects will surely improve its administrative and operational processes and systems, hence the efficient and effective delivery of services to the public, especially to its "clientele", the PNP," he stressed.
The fast-paced trend in information technology will always increase users' expectations. Magahum continued that to meet the challenge, users in the NAPOLCOM would be undergoing continuous training to deal with the latest IT developments to ensure better service and quality.
E-commerce/Internet Plans
The NAPOLCOM Vice-Chairman also pointed out that the government recognizes the vital role of information and communications technology in nation building. This provision is embodied in Republic Act No. 8790, otherwise known as the "Electronic Commerce Act of 2000" and in Administrative Order No. 332 dated June 14, 2000 and November 7, 1997, respectively.
To support the government in its effort of promoting e-commerce, Magahum said the NAPOLCOM has just recently approved the project proposal on the establishment of a NAPOLCOM Web Page. This would provide up-to-date and accurate information relating to the NAPOLCOM's organization and operations, Peace and Order Councils, People's Law Enforcement Boards, and the like.
"Technical personnel from the Electronic Data Processing Services (EDPS) Division will be trained on Web Page Design and Development on January 2001 and hopefully by first quarter of CY 2001, the NAPOLCOM will be joining the e-commerce world," he claimed.
Future Directions
As part of its expansion plans, NAPOLCOM targets the computerization of all the proposed NAPOLCOM systems as enumerated in the approved six-year NAPOLCOM Information Strategic Systems Plan (ISSP) from 1999 to 2004. The Commission is in the initial implementation of the plan, which is geared to transform the Commission into a highly dynamic, flexible, and responsive organization through maximized application of IT in the entire gamut of its operations.
The migration of the three critical systems to a new computing system are included under NAPOLCOM's ISSP, which is the blueprint of computerization, containing the technical conceptual framework, systems link-up/networking, and system developments/enhancements that would require special solutions. Under the plan, the enhancements to the PNP Examinations System shall be made to include the decentralization of processing of the examination applications to the regional offices. Distributed applicants database will be established in the regional offices, while processing will take place at the Central Office. A statistical system will also be incorporated in the system for the validation of the questionnaires as well as evaluation of results.
The plan also contains the proposed integration of the present NAPOLCOM Personnel Payroll System with that of the Integrated Human Resource Information System (IHRIS). The IHRIS shall keep track of the training, education, eligibilities, attendance, and leave credits monitoring of NAPOLCOM personnel.
The major challenge for the Commission now is to complete the current project with FPI on time and making the newly migrated systems flexible to accommodate all the requirements of the users.
The Vice-Chairman claimed that NAPOLCOM envisions fully automated systems to generate all user requirements and to have a special function that accommodates changes in the systems. With the new systems in place, the Commission looks forward to achieving its goals and facilitating efficiency and productivity to serve the police force that protects and secures peace for the entire population of the country.
