AFPC works to keep people connected

  • Published
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  For those having problems with computer connections, technicians at the Air Force Personnel Center here have some words of advice.

Instead of assuming what is tripping up the computer connection, report it.

"We've had cases where customers trying to take care of personnel business on the Web assume our computer system here at AFPC is down, but in fact the problem may be on the customer's end," said Bob Bushnell of the directorate of personnel data systems at AFPC. "And the unfortunate thing is that not reporting the problem may delay getting it fixed."

In some cases, the problem resides on local servers or even on an individual's desktop computer, he said.

"The only way to know is to call it in so the appropriate computer folks can diagnose the cause(s)," Mr. Bushnell said. "If it can't be remedied locally, they'll give us a call, and we can usually get things running again fairly quickly."

There are many variables between AFPC and the end user, officials said. New automated processes across the military have increased hardware and software incompatibility, network bottlenecks and bandwidth problems.

Officials recommend the following steps when reporting a personnel-related computer system or connection problem:

-- Contact the local personnel flight system manager to determine if the AFPC system is down. Ask if AFPC has sent out a notice to airmen.

-- Contact the local network control center to ask about base-level network outages.

-- If neither of the previous suggestions resolves the problem, call the personnel system operations control center at AFPC to report the problem. The center provides around-the-clock support at DSN 665-3995 or commercial (210) 565-3995. (Courtesy of AFPC News Service)