The Cloud Migration project includes transitioning the System from operating on hardware stored on-premise to a cloud-based environment to ensure all aspects of the System are available to users during periods of high demand for continuous claims processing, including both web-based and call center services.

• The Department is migrating various components of the System into a cloud-hosted environment, including files, databases, applications, and environment infrastructure. In this reporting period, testing revealed the reporting software that is used to provide business intelligence, such as workload across the Reemployment Assistance program, is not upgraded to a version that is compatible with the cloud. These reports meet a critical business need that, if not resolved, would impact business operations and timely processing of Reemployment Assistance claims and benefits. The anticipated timeline to deploy the System in the cloud is still January 2023.

• The Digital Appeals Recording Solution (DARS) vendor has begun application development to deploy this technology in a cloud-hosted environment. Development work is anticipated to complete in the next reporting period. DARS enables the Department to record appeals hearings, which provides due process to employers, third-party administrators, and claimants who have filed an appeal on a Reemployment Assistance claim.

• The Visual Interactive Voice Response technology vendor continues to develop business and technology requirements that will be used to enhance the Department’s existing Customer Call Center technology and provide additional self-service options for Reemployment Assistance claimants.

• The Department confirmed it will utilize both ChatBot and WebChat technologies this reporting period. ChatBot development work is anticipated to commence following the implementation of DARS.

The Cloud Application Performance Management project includes utilizing a software tool that provides visibility into key System performance indicators, such as numbers of concurrent users, for System monitoring. The tool also allows the Department to set defined thresholds for performance and receive notification if remedial actions are needed to maintain System performance and prevent System downtime.

• The Department installed the cloud version of the existing application performance management tool and testing has been initiated. Testing will be conducted for several months, and the tool is anticipated to be in production by February 2023.

The SDLC DevOps project includes improving documentation for the System, including application design documentation, artifacts, and dataflow diagrams. This helps establish a process that sets a standard for maintaining System documentation and planning the deployment of System enhancements that align and prioritize Reemployment Assistance program requirements with the System’s functionality.

• The project was originally forecast to be complete in November 2022; however, the timeline is anticipated to be extended to January 2023 after the project closeout checklist identified System enhancement data in the current ticketing system was not completely migrated to the new ticketing system.

The Rules Engine project includes utilizing a software tool that serves as a separate infrastructure environment for managing and executing business rules that govern how Reemployment Assistance claims are processed. Business rules that are currently operating within the System will be moved to the rules engine. By using a rules engine to manage and operate business rules, specifically those rules that are updated periodically to accommodate changes in state or federal law, the Department gains staff efficiency and helps support System performance. A rules engine is more user-friendly and does not require System code changes, which means information technology staff can be repurposed for larger, more complex System enhancements and business rule changes can be deployed faster. Additionally, because the rules engine operates in a separate infrastructure environment, it allows for increased System performance. 

• The Department is evaluating responses to a Request for Quote for a business rules engine (Rules Engine project), integration platform (SOA and API Layer project), and mobile-responsive user interface (CX/UX project), including services to ensure interoperability. Contract execution is anticipated in January 2023.

• The Department continues working to develop an initial catalog of business rules that will be used to develop a continuous modernization plan for the business rules engine. The catalog will identify all business rules that govern the administration of the Reemployment Assistance program, the number of times each rule has changed, the date(s) each rule has changed, the relative complexity of each rule, and determine if there is need for a business rules engine. This is a labor-intensive process that is anticipated to be complete in May 2023.

SOA and API Layer project will help promote a more efficient System by creating a layer between various components of the System that serves as the messenger for all data exchanges. This layer helps prevent a downturn in System performance by offloading demand on the System.

• The Department is evaluating responses to a Request for Quote for a business rules engine (Rules Engine project), integration platform (SOA and API Layer project), and mobile-responsive user interface (CX/UX project), including services to ensure interoperability. Contract execution is anticipated in January 2023.

The Strategic Planning Office (SPO) project equips the Department with standards, governance, and project management services for the Reemployment Assistance Modernization Program, and oversees the Program’s scope, schedule, and budget to promote accountability and alignment with Department priorities.

• The SPO continues to provide overall Program and project management support.

The Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) project includes leveraging an independent third-party consultant to provide objective and proactive risk identification and assessment to the Department. Observations and risks identified by the consultant are used by the Department to implement the Reemployment Assistance Modernization Program and any necessary mitigating strategies.

• IV&V continues to attend various Department meetings to support Program and project oversight.

The System and Software Integration project includes leveraging the expertise of a third-party services provider with experience in strategic planning, System design, System development, and System integration for large multi-component system modernization efforts to ensure the Department’s various modernization projects work as intended to deliver an enhanced user experience.

• The Department is evaluating responses to a Request for Quote for a business rules engine (Rules Engine project), integration platform (SOA and API Layer project), and mobile-responsive user interface (CX/UX project), including services to ensure interoperability. Contract execution is anticipated in January 2023.

The Incremental CX/UX Mobile Responsive Software Transformation project includes optimizing the existing System and developing a user-friendly front-end for Reemployment Assistance claimants that is also mobile-friendly. The transformation will occur incrementally to ensure all System users benefit from System optimization, with a focus on enhancing the claimant experience first.

• The Department is evaluating responses to a Request for Quote for a business rules engine (Rules Engine project), integration platform (SOA and API Layer project), and mobile-responsive user interface (CX/UX project), including services to ensure interoperability. Contract execution is anticipated in January 2023.

The Reporting project includes migrating all System reports from the System to the Data Warehouse and developing and validating all federally mandated Reemployment Assistance reports. The data warehouse provides the Department with standardized data and reduces the need for staff intervention for future reporting activities.

• Of the 39 reports in-scope for this project, 38 are complete and one is being corrected after testing revealed errors. To correct these errors, the Department is extending the project timeline to be complete in January 2023.

The Archival and Purge project establishes a process for archiving and purging appropriate Reemployment Assistance data. These activities will reduce the Department’s data storage costs and greatly impact the efficiency and stability of the System, because it will purge any data that is no longer required to be maintained by the Department and allow for the secure storage in a separate environment of any data that the Department must maintain for a period of time.

• Work sessions with various Reemployment Assistance business units were completed this reporting period to develop project requirements and nearing completion.

• The Department's Records Management Policy is undergoing final review and is anticipated to be finalized by the next reporting period. This policy will provide the latest guidance to the project team about data to be archived or purged.

• A Request for Information is being developed to help inform the Department if a suitable technology tool for archiving and purging data exists in the marketplace.

The Master Data Management and Interoperability project focuses on creating a data catalog and data dictionary for the Department. These efforts promote data standardization and data sharing among information technology systems that exchange information with the Reemployment Assistance program.

• A draft Data Dictionary and Data Catalog have been prepared and is undergoing analysis and review with the Bureau of Workforce Statistics and Economic Research.

The Identity and Access Management project includes updating all Departmental identity management and access control policies and implementing enhanced front-end security measures to authenticate System users. These efforts ensure the individuals who have access to the System are provided the appropriate amount of access for their need.

• A request for Quote was issued this reporting period for IAM services to achieve the goals and objectives identified in the iSF Report for the IAM project.

The Security Architecture Audit project includes a technical audit that will be provided by an independent third-party to review and test all technical aspects of the System for improved System security.

• This project has been deferred to post-modernization.