Update: Defense Security Assistance Management System - DSAMS - software evaluation

DISAM Journal, Fall, 2000 by Nels E. Berdahl

The process of developing an LOI within DSAMS is similar to the process of developing and processing a normal case. The LOI will be linked with the corresponding LOA so that validations can occur between the two.

DSAMS can be used to create both the LOI and an amendment to the LOI. There are two versions of the LOI:

* If the LOI is offered to the customer prior to the LOA offer, the first page will indicate when the LOA is expected to be offered to the customer.

* If the LOI is offered to the customer after the LOA is offered to the customer, the first page will indicate when the LOA was offered to the customer.

Implementation

With Release 6 deployment, most implementation of documents is now performed in DSAMS using an overnight batch process, although the manual change case status process is still available.

Upon determining that financial requirements have been met, DFAS-DE sends a CG transaction to DSAMS. DSAMS posts a milestone (FINIMP) indicating that the initial deposit requirements for the case have been met and the case is subsequently implemented based on a set of implementation requirements, which vary by implementing agency.

Validations to ensure the case is ready for implementation are performed prior to implementing a case via the change case status window (manual method) or through the nightly batch processing. If the validations fail during the nightly batch processing, the case will not be automatically implemented.

Functionality has also been added to DSAMS to permit DSCA to direct emergency implementation, use one document to fund another (concurrent document funding), and to limit obligation authority.

Management Flags

Management flag is a new DSAMS feature designed to assist designated users in monitoring case progression or case events in DSAMS. Management flags are triggered based on the recording of certain milestones. Each night, a batch program is run to look for cases in certain conditions, e.g., the presence or absence of a specified milestone. A DSAMS-generated management flag is created to notify pre-defined sets of users about case conditions that may require intervention/action.

A generic e-mail notification is then sent to the appropriate recipient indicating they have management flags. When user logs into DSAMS, they are presented with a list of the specific cases that have management flags. One example of the use of the management flag functionality is to notify case managers when a case fails the batch implementation process.

Waivers and Suspensions

New waiver functionality has been added to DSAMS that provides the ability to waive initial deposit requirements of a document at country or case level. Waiver functionality is also used to approve no-cost leases at the case level and to approve concurrent document funding at country or case level.

DSAMS now provides the ability to hold or suspend a case. When a hold or suspend milestone is recorded, the case manger (or designated user) will be notified that the case is in hold status via a notification and a message on the case detail document tab.