The announcement, which included software vendor Tarantella, is additional proof of Linux's importance in the government sector. The State of Mississippi Automated System Project (ASP) will provide local officials with real-time access to public safety information including mug shots, arrest warrants, criminal intelligence, hazardous materials data and medical emergency protocols enhancing their ability to prevent and respond to incidents that pose a danger to the public. The project is expected to be fully deployed in October 2004.

The system includes consist of one IBM eServer iSeries 825 and two eServer xSeries 445 systems running Tarantella Secure Global Desktop Enterprise Edition remote access software, Novell's SUSE LINUX and IBM DB2 in a single data center. The datacenter will be replicated at an additional site to ensure reliability.

The system does have some provisions for security. "The data is protected by the Tarantella server, which authenticates every user before connecting them to the database. It also encrypts all data that it sent among the different agencies and provides firewalls," said Jay Bretzmann, director IBM eServer products. No information was provided on any data integrity procedures that would guard against data errors that would trigger false arrest warrants or misidentify "criminal intelligence."

Multi-device access is also planned for the system, using Tarantella software. "Tarantella Secure Global Desktop Enterprise Edition is the platform of choice for delivering highly secure remote access to Linux-based applications across any network to virtually any device," said Frank Wilde, CEO of Tarantella. "This combination of IBM eServer, Enterprise Edition and Novell's SUSE LINUX will offer law enforcement and safety personnel unmatched capabilities to secure the safety of our nation."

"It is critical that all of our first responders have instant access to the critical information that can save lives, speed arrests and ensure public safety," said Major Julian Allen, Ph.D., director of the Automated System Project. "IBM and Tarantella have delivered a secure and robust server/software solution that provides this secure remote access capability without any single point of failure."

It is unique that two high-ranking US politicians would associate themselves would associate themselves so closely with such a technical subject. The project was funded by $14 million of federal grants through the efforts of US Senators Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Trent Lott (R-MS). The grants were made to The University of Southern Mississippi, an area which has seen much federal largesse as a result of Lott's efforts. This includes a Northrup Grumman shipyard which builds and services US Navy ships in Lott's hometown of Pascagoula.

The communications and electronics business sector, of which both IBM and Tarantella are members, have been significant supporters of the senators from Mississippi. The industry has given a combined total of $259,532 to their fundraising organizations from 1999 to the latest reporting period, based on data obtained from the Center For Responsive Politics.

It is hoped that the project will become a national model for linking more states together using a centralized software applications model. The initial deployment of the Mississippi ASP will support all law enforcement, fire department, and emergency medical services within Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson counties. The participants hope that the system will be rolled out across all of Mississippi.