In order to make TLETS a telecommunications infrastructure capable of responding to the future needs of law enforcement agencies in Texas, as well as to conform to the requirements placed on The Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) by NCIC, TxDPS is in the midst of re-engineering and upgrading TLETS. The Department's goal is to make TLETS a telecommunications system for the future by building a TCP/IP network, changing all terminal agencies to a browser-based environment, and fully implementing the functionality of NCIC 2000.

The project was initiated in May 2002. It is the third phase of the NCIC/TCIC 2000 project. In determining requirements and recommendations, the project team has performed significant amounts of analysis on the current system, researched potential solutions, and sought advice from a few member agencies. Any recommendations may be directed to tlets@txdps.state.tx.us. The project team is in the midst of developing a Request for Proposal (RFP). Once an award is made, TxDPS will provide all users with a project update, including equipment requirements and specifications.

TLETS is seeking solutions that are reliable, easy to use, provide scalability, allow for the use of commercial-off-the-shelf hardware throughout the network, and ultimately minimize cost to TxDPS and the member agencies. Most importantly, TxDPS does not intend to continue to support the SNA environment. This means that CAD, RMS, and MDT systems that currently communicate with TxDPS through LU6.2 will be required to change their interface to TxDPS. At this time, it is believed that other systems will be required to purchase a Network Interface Card (NIC) to replace their current Synchronous Data Link Control (SDLC) card. Multi-terminal agencies may be required to re-engineer their connectivity with TxDPS. In order to allow agencies adequate time to plan for procurement of any possible system upgrades, TxDPS will provide TLETS users with the earliest possible notification regarding known changes. TxDPS anticipates that equipment requirements and specifications for this effort will be available in the 2^nd Quarter of 2003.

TxDPS will continue to cover the maintenance and upkeep of the satellite dish, the Personal Earth Station (PES), and any other equipment installed during the satellite rollout. This is an enormous task and will take significant effort. TxDPS intends to migrate to the new system gradually, to minimize impact on the user.

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