MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- In the world of acquisition, change is constant but organizations must embrace it in order to thrive in today’s highly competitive environment.
In January 2022, the Air Force announced that legacy Microsoft files (e.g., .doc, .xls, .ppt, .vsd) would no longer be supported on Air Force Windows desktops beginning February 2022. Manually converting legacy documents to the newer supported file types (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx, vsdx.) can be an enormous undertaking for large teams managing countless documents—unless that team uses a cutting-edge Agile software development program like the Defense Enterprise Accounting and Management System (DEAMS) Program Management Office (PMO).
Once the Air Force made the announcement, the DEAMS PMO immediately began taking steps to execute the Air Force’s file conversion process. The team modified a script to convert legacy files to the newer supported file types and then implemented the script across the program, and subsequently, across the DEAMS user community to minimize productivity loss. While implementing the script, DEAMS identified and rectified a process that impeded the file conversion script while being connected to Microsoft OneDrive; the fix was ultimately shared and put into action by several other Air Force organizations—minimizing disruptions to Airmen, Guardians, and civilian employees across the globe. Although users will not be able to open legacy files using locally installed Office apps, individuals may access the documents by going to https://www.ohome.apps.mil.
“Special thanks goes to our select members on the DEAMS Operations Team, Mr. Bob Leach and Mr. Tyler Chronaberry, for their efforts in helping in not only the DEAMS program, but the Air Force as a whole,” said Lt. Col. Emilio Talipan, the DEAMS Materiel Leader. “I’m proud to have such an amazing and professional team.”
The DEAMS PMO manages the control, execution, and reporting of the Air Force General Fund and the United States Transportation Command Working Capital Fund which support 17,000 users across 170 installations at all Air Force major commands, U.S. Space Force, and Unified Commands where the Air Force is the executive agent. DEAMS also supports Air Force customers who utilize Defense Finance and Accounting Service services.