Mandating an XML messaging format, the integration allowed for the transfer of remote program and financial information from one database to another, where batch information is verified and balanced, said Negron. Even though these two divisions had already been sharing information . . .
Mandating an XML messaging format, the integration allowed for the transfer of remote program and financial information from one database to another, where batch information is verified and balanced, said Negron. Even though these two divisions had already been sharing information manually, Negron found the electronic integration more difficult than he expected. "We learned that something that people might consider simple, like security and encryption, took some work to get that working right," said Negron. "Some people would question if it is possible [to interface] effectively, with a minimum impact on the legacy system. ... We did very minor [code rewriting]."

Homeland Security's Cooper said he expects similar balking. "Let's get real. It's cultural, political, organizational; this is where turf comes into play," said Cooper. "We're human beings; we do quirky stuff. Not because anyone is doing the wrong thing, but people have succeeded and been rewarded for certain behaviors. And, guess what, someone just moved everyone's cheese. We have to change, and that's not easy."

The link for this article located at eWeek is no longer available.