Mamram , abbreviation for Center of Computing and Information Systems ( Merkaz Mahshevim UMa'arahot Meida), originally Center of Computing and Mechanized Registration ( Merkaz Mahshevim VeRishum Memukhan) is the Israel Defense Forces

Israel Defense Forces

The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...

' central computing system unit, providing data processing services for all arms and the general staff of the IDF. As of April 2010, Mamram is under the command of Colonel Noam Rozenfeld.

History

Formed in 1959 under the name Maram (מר"ם), the unit bought its first computer, a US-made Philco

Philco

Philco, the Philadelphia Storage Battery Company , was a pioneer in early battery, radio, and television production as well as former employer of Philo Farnsworth, inventor of cathode ray tube television...

 machine. Mordechai Kikion was transferred from RAFAEL

RAFAEL Armament Development Authority

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. , known as RAFAEL or Rafael, is an Israeli defense technology company...

 (then part of the IDF) to be the unit's first commander. Mamram facilities soon started hosting several other independent data processing units, including the Inventory Processing Center (מענ"א) and the Manpower Computing Center (ממכ"א).

In 1994, the Mamram programming school, considered one of the best sources of high-quality software professionals in the world, was separated into a newly-formed unit called School for Computer Professions . However, the school's graduates, who were and still are highly sought after in the industry, are still referred to as Mamram graduates. Following graduation, Basmach students go on to serve in various IDF units. Some of the graduates are often offered a position in Mamram itself.

The unit has also been delegated with the responsibility of assigning Internet domain names under the idf.il second level domain.

Former commanders

• 2010-Now: Colonel Noam Rozenfeld
• 2006-2010: Colonel (now Bri. Gen.) Ayala Hakim
• 2002-2006: Colonel Avi Kochva
• 1999-2002: Colonel Zvi Gliechman
• 1994-1999: Colonel Miri Kadmiel
• 1991-1994: Colonel Giora Ulman

Closed intranet

Mamram has created the military's closed Intranet network. This network is a replication of the WWW, only in smaller dimensions for the use of all IDF's soldiers.

IDF's system network

MAMRAM is responsible for the management and development of the IDF's computer and network systems.

Computer abuse enforcement

Mamram is responsible for enforcing computer use integrity. The ability to monitor network vandalism and abuse is an outcome of Mamram's own technical development.

WWW integration

Mamram provides IDF's WWW websites. Those websites contain interactive information used by civilians and foreigners.

External links

• A Case Study of the Israeli Military's Impact on the Software Industry