Defense Department attempts to eliminate info-tech redundancies.

• Author: Insinna, Valerie
• Position: IT CONSOLIDATION

* In 2013, infrastructure consolidation and interoperability will drive how the Defense Department spends its information technology budget, but companies might find growth in the area of tactical communications, said an analyst.

The department's procurement strategy will likely be predicated on products that meet specifications at the lowest price possible, said Tim Larkins, immixGroup's defense market intelligence consultant.

"What they're trying to get here is functional, affordable technology," he said. "If you are not the lowest price, then you have to justify why the government should be purchasing your product or service."

But Larkins said there are still opportunities for IT-related growth. As the war in Afghanistan draws down, support for special operators' tactical communications devices will be increasingly important and likely spared from cuts.

The Defense Information Systems Agency's information technology budget rose about 2 percent. The agency posted a bid for proposals in October for a mobile device management platform to help keep its network secure.

Another possible area of growth is cloud computing. "Twenty percent of the IT budget is a target for cloud-related technology," Larkins said.

The department is also seeking to eliminate redundant networks and consolidate data centers. Since 2010, it has closed 380 of its 770 data centers, and it will eliminate another 315 in 2013, he said.

Consolidation is the trend across all branches. Two examples are the Navy's Consolidated Afloat Networks Enterprise Service...