NMCI test center delayed

The Navy Marine Corps Intranet Product Evaluation Center may not be up and running until the end of this year, according to NMCI executives. The center will be a clearinghouse for vendors to submit software applications to determine their compatibility with the enterprisewide network.

Navy Capt. Chris Christopher, NMCI staff director, said officials had hoped the center would be operational this month, but it most likely will be delayed for several more months. Legal and financial concerns almost derailed the program, Christopher said.

He cautioned that approval from the center will not automatically lead to including software on the network. The Navy's functional area managers — subject experts who approve what software eventually makes it on to the system — still have the final say.

The target for the center's initial operational capability is still set for sometime later this year. Christopher said application standards also will be published this year.