Middleware

MNIT may provide support charged separately at hourly professional services rates when the work effort required is beyond the normal service support due to the size, scope, timing, or complexity of the requirements.

There are two types of Middleware Instances:

Tier 1 Middleware Instance

• A complex instance using products such as WebSphere, JBoss, Tomcat, MQSeries, and WebLogic. Attributes of a Tier 1 instance can include:
  • An application server to process complex business transactions.
  • Advanced message queue systems (MQS) for asynchronous message interchange between applications.
  • Enterprise service bus (ESB) to integrate services between multiple transaction systems to guarantee data consistency for business operation.

Tier 2 Middleware Instance

• A simple instance consisting of a standalone web server using tools such as Apache and IIS.

Both types of Middleware Instance service offerings include:

• Annual software maintenance.
  • Initial purchase of Middleware software is charged separately as a one-time actual cost passed through to the agency. 
  • The cost of annual software maintenance is part of the ongoing monthly rate for the Middleware Instance.
• Initial setup and configuration of middleware instances.
• Backups setup and execution.
• Setup for monitoring and alerting. 
• Required system and security patches and SPLs fixes.
• SSL Certificate maintenance and renewals.
• 24/7/365 response to production incidents.

Tier 1 Middleware Instance service offering includes everything listed above plus the following:

• Middleware software license and software installation.
• Implementation and design assistance.
• Middleware instance support: Administration and ongoing support for deployments, administration tools, monitoring, maintenance and patching, service coordination, role-based access security, upgrades, backup configuration and recovery procedures.
• Shared platforms for Apache Web Request services.

• New Middleware instances require a consultation meeting between the agency application team and the MNIT Middleware team to define requirements, determine the best solution, and plan the implementation.
• Software installation is included in Middleware Instance:  Tier 1 for installations where the MNIT team has the capability and capacity to perform the installation. If additional resources or time are needed for a software installation, it may be completed and charged separately under Professional Services. 

• Define Middleware requirements for the application.
• Submit related work requests.
• Test proposed Middleware solutions in a timely manner.