Service Description

EAS offers a full service Blogging software service that can provide enhanced internal and external communication among management, operational and business staff, and the public. When this service is integrated into a web application, posted information is shared in a chronological fashion that delivers a high level of feedback and end-user interaction.

What's Included

• Apache Roller Weblog™ or Wordpress MU™ software
• Apache Roller Weblog
  - Multi-node, highly available architecture
  - Production and non-Production environment
  - USDA eAuthentication protection available
  - Customizable “theme” packs, including standard USDA templates
  - User Accounts for site administration / content authoring
• Wordpress MU™
  - Multi-node highly available solution
  - Production and non-Production environment
  - Optional “add-ons” to add additional functionality to blogs
  - Customizable CSS-based themes
  - RSS Feeds

How We Charge

Hosting charges are based on the following factors:

• Number of Blogging solutions
  - including HA Production and Staging environments
• Optional eAuthentication integration costs

Service Level Metrics

* - NITC reserves the option to schedule routine infrastructure maintenance activities on Sundays between 1800 to 2400 hours Central Time.

NOTE: NITC utilizes the USDA Universal Telecommunication Network (UTN) for Wide Area Network services. The UTN is contractually guaranteed to be 99.9% available but has historically delivered 99.997% availability.

Cost Saving Tips

• Engage EAS early in the scoping phase of a new project to identify all business and technical requirements
• Forecast response time and load expectations
• Utilize other EAS Software as a Service offerings to minimize application integrations efforts and reduce costs through economies of scale

USDA CONTACT

Chris North, Director

OCIO, Enterprise Applications Services (EAS)

Chris.North@ocio.usda.gov