Users have continued to question me regarding the
relationship of the FMS and the WMU. This memo will attempt to update you on the
current situation as I understand it. The opinions given are mine and the
information contained in this memo has not been approved by NHQ..
The WMU is a fully integrated package within itself (but is only partially integrated with the NHQ database through daily downloads from the MIMS for membership, achievements, and organizational information and uploads of achievements.) It is designed to significantly reduce the paperwork and the man hours that our membership must spend in conforming to the processes and paperwork imposed by the regulations published by National Headquarters. It currently supports over 60 functions (including all in the FMS). I have been assured that NHQ will work with all field developers so that field developed systems will interact with the NHQ database for both upload and download of all data. They have delivered an interface that will allows the WMU to update MIMS achievement tables. With this feature available, all achievement information entered into the WMU is moved to the MIMS database. They provide a daily download of some MIMS information but have not generated a plan for allowing selective database information downloads. An interface that will allow the WMU to upload task data (pilot information and training tasks) has been promised but they have not provided a time frame for delivery of the module.
Many experts other
than myself have studied the FMS (MIMS) and have concluded that the NHQ system was based
on meeting the perceived needs of the NHQ staff members. The
database and its user interfaces were not designed to meet the needs of the field to reduce
our paperwork requirements. National Headquarters has been working with the MIMS committee to
improve the user interfaces and to make the system more usable.
It appears that NHQ has never created an internal or external specification to control
their program management needs. As a result, although the FMS provides the ability to input
and maintain ES and pilot information, many of the user screens are not
friendly to the general CAP user and maintenance of the information by our
membership and staff is time consuming and difficult to perform. NHQ continues
to indicate that they are changing the way we interact with NHQ by simplifying
the modules. However, none of the regulations that require our paperwork have
ever been changed to reflect this mentality.
Most
of the wings using the WMU depend on the WMU for ES, pilot, and
aircraft functions and both WMU and FMS each has its own focus and
functionality. For example, I have no current intention of automating the CAPF 7
cadet orientation ride forms in the WMU, and the FMS will offer an alternate
method of inputting and reviewing data.
NHQ recently provided a daily download of
certain MIMS tables to the WMU. I have updated the WMU to import this
information when the information timestamp is later than the information in the
WMU database. Thus wings that had not been using the WMU can have access in
the WMU for this information. However, much of the information that wings need
on their member qualifications is contained in the NHQ tasks table and is
not available to the wings using CAPWATCH or the download and is thus not available
to include in the WMU databases.
I
have recently added sections in the WMU to support cadet encampments and several
encampments have been planned and run using this tool set. There is also a new
module to support archiving and documenting safety meetings. Other modules (such
as the CAPF 108 module) have been updated to reflect the current CAP forms.
I
believe that the future of the CAP automation into field usable databases lies
in the hands of our Wing and Region Commanders. I believe that many of them have
never used the FMS (or the WMU) when they make decisions based on a one-sided
input from their NHQ staff. We all need to insure that we provide our commanders
with the information that they need to make the correct decisions that will
impact our future ability to support our members and customers.
Please
feel free to contact me if you have additional questions. You can call me at
(503) 985-0446 or email me at pla@starband.net.
Pete
Andersen
23 July 2004