MAXWELL AFB-GUNTER ANNEX, Ala. -- Even under ideal circumstances, the technical challenges a program encounters are not for the faint of heart.
In December 2022, the Business and Enterprise Systems Directorate’s Maintenance Scheduling Module (MSM) team successfully completed a forced migration from the sunsetting Capabilities Integration Environment (CIE) to Cloud One, utilizing only internal personnel. Soon after, the MSM team faced yet another formidable challenge.
MSM serves as an automated system tailored to furnish Aircraft Schedulers and Maintenance Managers with indispensable aircraft scheduled maintenance information, enabling them to make crucial decisions aligned with the demanding and mission-critical requirements confronting Air Force leaders.
During a cloud migration, programs must adhere to a "code freeze," meaning the implementation of new features or capabilities is off-limits until the transition is successfully completed. Amidst this migration, a significant hurdle emerged: MSM's utilization of Angular, an open-source framework, had reached a critical juncture as it became deprecated and unsupported. This presented a multitude of risks and obstacles for both the team and end-users. Without ongoing support, the application faced potential compatibility issues, security vulnerabilities, and the risk of obsolescence in the face of evolving operating systems and hardware requirements.
Fully cognizant of these risks, the MSM team promptly embarked on the task of upgrading Angular to a supported version. Over the course of 12 software releases since cloud migration, the team diligently progressed from the outdated version 8 to the cutting-edge version 17. This endeavor demanded over 200 hours of development, the execution of 5,000 test scripts, and a comprehensive series of security scans to ensure the system remained fortified against emerging threats.
The transition from Angular version 8 to 17 marked a significant milestone for the MSM team, ushering in a new era of user experience enhancement. Version 17 introduced a plethora of new features and enhancements for both the front and back end of the application. These included streamlined User Interface components for improved responsiveness, accelerated load times for application reports, and bolstered security measures to safeguard sensitive data.
The resounding success of this initiative has been reflected in overwhelmingly positive user feedback. This achievement not only underscores the team's unwavering dedication to excellence but also reaffirms the profound impact of embracing cutting-edge technologies in elevating the user experience.