Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
:: looks at Falor walks into the room behind her ::
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  Good Day Ensign.
Ens_Rodos_Falor says:
::nods:: Serok: Captain.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
:: walks to the replicator to get a glass of water :: Computer:  Water 10 degrees Celsius.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  Would you care for a refreshment?
Ens_Rodos_Falor says:
Serok: I'm fine thanks, I've got my coffee.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
:: takes the glass after it materializes and heads for the Lectern ::
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  We will begin shortly.
Ens_Rodos_Falor says:
::finds a seat a few rows back from the front and turns on his PADD while sipping his coffee::
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
:: takes a sip of her water then clears her throat ::
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  This seminar regards the often unappreciated area known as operations.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  Weather it is ship operations or station operations, you as an operations officer have the unenviable task of coordinating ships resources.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  This will be a question and answer session.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  Are there any particular questions you have that you would like answered?
Ens_Rodos_Falor says:
Serok: Well I'm a Chief Engineer, but I've always been curious to know how resources are allocated and coordinated, in general.. I can't think of any specific questions.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  Very well, we will discuss how engineering works hand in hand with OPS everyday.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  As CEO on a ship, your area is engineering.  More specifically, the warp core.  Although, your department does handle all repairs to the ship.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  Your department creates the power used all over the ship, OPS makes sure it is distributed where it is needed most.  After all, there is a finite amount of energy that a warp engine can create.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  Therefore, you can see where Engineering and OPS work together every single day.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  You said you were interested in how resources were allocated and coordinated, correct?
Ens_Rodos_Falor says:
Serok: That's correct.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  Let me ask you this, what do you consider a resource?
Ens_Rodos_Falor says:
Serok: Power from the warp core, equipment, people.. things like that.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  That is correct.  I am impressed Ensign.  Most people think only in the form of material and power.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  Let's start with what would effect your department most, power.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  As I stated before and I am certain  you know, the warp core can produce only a finite amount of power.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  That power must be distributed to all areas of the ship.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  For the most part, that task is preformed by the AI in the computer.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  The OPS officer makes certain that the AI programs run correctly and to suit the needs of the different modes a ship runs at.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  Each department lets OPS know what functions need to be preformed at which time so that power is available for those functions to be preformed.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  Once those request are entered by the OPS officer, the AI once again handles the execution of the requests.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  Please feel free to ask questions at anytime.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  Do you have any questions about what has been discussed so far?
Ens_Rodos_Falor says:
Serok: Not yet.. it seems pretty straightforward
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  Very well, we will move to equipment, which also affects your department prominently.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  Equipment procurement and allocation is a very delicate operation.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  For the most part, all department heads make lists of equipment and material they need and submit it to OPS.  OPS then submits the request to StarFleet.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  :  Every Starbase and station has a supply depot. Plus there are supply runs continuously throughout the quadrant. Anything that is Starfleet issued and not replicatable can be obtained from these supply depots and supply drops.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  Many times extra parts can be found on a sister ship. Every OPS officer should be aware of who is in the area and where they are. Disasters can often be prevented by the quick procurement of parts.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  But, there are instances when you need materials and are unable to receive them from the proper channels.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  There are several resources available.  Civilian shops along the promenades of most stations and starbases. Even on various planets. But the biggest resource is the independent trader.
Ens_Rodos_Falor says:
::smiles and sips his coffee, listening attentively::
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  A good OPS will build a network of traders within their territory. Although latinum is the currency most used in the quadrant….there is a large bartering system in place.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  Older OPS often mentor newer OPS in the ways and means of bartering, although Starfleet 'unofficially' looks for those qualities in their OPS candidates.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  A good OPS officer will be aware of what system of bartering is used in which system.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  Are there any questions thus far?
Ens_Rodos_Falor says:
Serok: None yet.. you're making it quite clear.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  Very well, then we will now move on to personnel.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  How personnel are procured is of course through StarFleet Command.  They assign either newly graduated cadets of those who have been requested because of their specialty in certain areas.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  I am certain that most people know this.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  As for allocation of personnel, All department heads enter their rosters into LCARS .
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  Once the information is in the system, OPS can then coordinate with the departments on the allocation of personnel.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  It must be noted that OPS is not in control of shift or department rosters.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  OPS does not CONTROL personnel, OPS allocates the information stored in LCARS.
Ens_Rodos_Falor says:
Serok: What about access to facilities? What factors are considered when determining who gets access to a certain facility, say a science lab, at a certain time?
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  Access to facilities under normal conditions are on a first come first serve basis.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  In the event of an emergency, that would change.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  It would depend on what is needed most critically as to access.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  If the emergency involves a bio hazard, then the medical lab would receive the power.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  If it involved a spatial anomaly, then science would gain priority.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  Does that answer your question?
Ens_Rodos_Falor says:
::nods:: Serok: Yes it does.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  Is there anything else you wish to discuss?
Ens_Rodos_Falor says:
::tries to think:: Serok: There aren't any other questions that come to mind.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  Would it surprise you to know that the OPS officer can override anyone’s computer access?
Ens_Rodos_Falor says:
Serok: Actually, it does surprise me.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  When you left SF Academy, you were given security clearance by SF Command.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  When you got to your assignment, you received computer access codes from your OPS officer.  If he or she could not override the system, you could not receive computer access at all.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  The OPS officer sets your access and can deny it on authority of the CO or XO and in certain extreme situations, can even override the CO and XO.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  But, only as far as computer access is concerned.
Ens_Rodos_Falor says:
Serok: I'd assume that in the event that security access was compromised, the OPS officer would need that ability to lock out the threat.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  Exactly.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  The common misconception is that OPS has control of everything.  That is not the case.  Your department is your department, OPS has no control on your department, just the by product of your department.
Ens_Rodos_Falor says:
::nods:: Serok: As you said earlier, the department heads make the rosters, the OPS officer just implements them.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  Of all the departments on a ship or station, OPS and Engineering work more closely than any.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  Alot of duties overlap between Engineering and OPS.  For that matter, on a ship, many duties overlap in may departments.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  A ship is many parts of a whole.  It is imperative that a ship works as a team, for without one, the others are useless.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  That being said, do you have any other questions?
Ens_Rodos_Falor says:
Serok: None at all.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  Very well then, this concludes this seminar.  If you ever have any questions, please feel free to contact me.  Dismissed.
Ens_Rodos_Falor says:
::stands up and nods:: Serok: Thank you Captain.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  By the way Ensign, thank you for attending.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
Falor:  You are most welcome.
Ens_Rodos_Falor says:
::smiles:: Serok: It was my pleasure.
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
:: nods ::
Ens_Rodos_Falor says:
::leaves the room and heads back to the cafeteria::
Host Captain_Suvok_Serok says:
:: picks up her now empty glass and puts it back in the replicator for recycling and leaves the conference room ::