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News from Information Systems |
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Client/Server Systems ImplementationFor most of you this probably means nothing, or is really greek. The bottom line is that DART made the strategic decision to move all of its core business and operations software applications that are operating on the old mainframe to newer technology. This new technology is called client/server. The official definition to this term is "distributed computing". So what does that mean? Well, it basically means that users, with the proper access privileges, will be able to access agency data in an environment that will allow analysis of the data with their desktop applications much, much easier and faster than ever before. This project represents the implementation of over 40 new major systems that will touch every department and also represents a $15 million investment. The current schedule calls for all of our major systems to be converted by late summer 1999. The new organizational structure is designed to focus on information technology (IT) solutions and IT delivery issues. Below is a brief description of each sections responsibilities. |
Our current e-mail system is approximately six years old and has evolved from a DOS based system to its current Windows based package. It has been a good system, but will no longer support certain functions we need for current computing demands. We can no longer get certain software licenses to perform much needed functions in the current e-mail system, and as a result we are forced to implement newer technology that will provide DART with the required functionality. The new e-mail system is called GroupWise. There are several groups in DART already using GroupWise (GW). Implementation of this new package will not only provide improved e-mail capabilities, but also automated workflow, document management, document and file sharing, improved individual and group calendaring functions, imaging capabilities, document version control when sharing with others, task tracking, the ability to set up "rules" that will perform automatic functions on your e-mail or documents when you receive or send them, and many other new features. The official roll out of GroupWise will be by December 1998. To assist you in this change, the complete GW user's guide is now available on the GroupWise 5.2 Product Sheet. Additionally on the same web page you will find links to Cool Solutions GroupWise e-zine and Novell's GroupWise home page. We will soon be contacting your departments to provide you with more details. |
Software UpgradesThis is also a major leap and the hardest to implement because we all have to adapt to the changes. The desktop applications that we all use, Lotus123, AmiPro, Freelance, Approach are all two full versions behind. Now that we have completed the Window95 upgrades, we need to get everyone using the LotusSuite97. This is a lot easier said than done. Our current goal is to make this change happen by December 1998. We are still researching installation issues due to the fact that running both the older version and the newer LotusSuite97 at the same time causes some problems with certain applications. Those of you who have the LotusSuite97 already loaded on your machine are encouraged to use it, with the understanding that if you share any documents, spreadsheets, or presentation graphics with others they must know in advance that the files are in the newer version, or you must save them as the older version before sharing. I realize this sounds awkward, but there is no getting around it until everyone has migrated to the newer version. So please make every effort to start using the newer versions for all of your work. If you do not have the LotusSuite97 loaded on your PC, call the Help Desk at x3500 to schedule a time to have it installed. |
