Phase III: Implementation
Below is a chronology of the implementation of the ImageNow production system (software & hardware),
plus current imaging configuration:
July 1998
- downloaded current user and system guides from ImageNow website as we waited for delivery of the hardware and software. I did a cut/paste in Adobe to create a leaner version of these guides and delivered user guides to FA
- tested CD-R technology for future archiving of images (Adaptec Easy CD Creator)
- ImageNow 5.0 software arrived
- server hardware, IBM RS6000, arrived; cabinet assembled; OS installed and system booted
- arranged for network connection for imaging software install at server and client stations in FA
- installed ImageNow server software; reloaded Win-NT on scan station and loaded ImageNow client software
August 1998
- Kofax scanning software installed; scanner specs defined; scanner tested
- installed Seagate backup software and did full backup of scan station
- FA clients defined to server; client software loaded on stations and tested
- production dockeys defined & tested; scanning profiles defined & tested; SAM application template defined & tested; patch code processing defined & tested
- refined client help guides, printed & delivered to FA
September 1998
- redefined dockeys per FA & tested
- tested scan settings on various colored documents to lessen speckling
- another 16 FA clients defined to server and software loaded to their stations; created group accounts for system administrator use; FA staff trained on client interface and scan station
- attended Octel presentation on Visual Messenger as a possible solution for fax server interface to imaging system
- started production scan and linking to object database!
- have encountered a few minor bugs: getting error trying to attach annontations; getting orientation realignment saved; plus FA would like enhancement to show line numbering in database - PerceptiveVision support is working on these
October 1998
- set up separate scan profile to enhance quality of dot matrix printouts encountered (a small percentage)
- defined 2 more users; resolved multi-tile issue (only occurs at scan station)
- encountered 'mistake' which lead us to discover a true saving feature of software: approximately 200 folders were scanned in under a test applet (which I have since deleted), but instead of rescanning discovered one could simply 'move' incorrect folder into folder with correct dockeys with a mouse click and typing out true folder keys
- scan process enhanced for speed and less labor-intensive, to date have scanned in almost 2,000 folders with over 10,000 documents!
November 1998
- continue to make great progress linking 1997-98 files
- Matt and I ghosted scan station hard drive for disaster recovery purposes
- workflow: FA staff mapping out requirements, while I attempt to get Qman workflow components running. Am working with PVI support to get Qman functions running on my station.
December 1998
- over half done getting past year's documents linked
- FA finalized workflow requirements
- encountered difficulties getting Qman workflow components to function properly; it was discovered the workflow aspect of our current release is not supported for Unix. PVI shipped most current release (v5.0, rel.4) on 12/9. Week of 12/21 Matt upgraded server, and I upgraded my station as well as scan station. There was a minor problem on scan station, and PVI had me update the client.ini file. Tested okay. Will get with FA support staff to upgrade all client stations after holiday break.
January-March 1999
- Upgraded client workstations to latest release (v5.0, rel.4)
- Ghosted scan station for disaster recovery
- Workflow development station built and placed in my work area. Developed and tested several iterations before client agreed on a working model. This was built, tested and ported onto production server in March.
- Testing begun on Octel Messenger, possible Fax server solution
April-June 1999
- Rebuilt corrupted FA scan station
- Further changes to workflow requested. Developed, tested and ported into production.
- Octel Fax solution on hold. Imagenow cannot display multi-page faxes easily, but will be enhanced in new release due out later this year.
- Registration imaging project. (See Phase IV, Expansion, on project page)
July-September 1999
- Purchase order out to vendor for second scan station
- revisiting workflow configuration, possible total revamp to better serve client needs
October-December 1999
- serveral user accounts created and added
- workflow discussions continue, and new model drawn up in Visio and to FA staff for approval changes; visited bar code capabilities and did some testing, but was decided to put this option on hold
January-March 2000
- new workflow approved and put into production
- upgrade to new release of software, 5.06, and reapplied scanning profiles on scan station, reloaded client software on workstations
- second scan station added, capture profiles and user accounts defined
Future updates
- Please see Phase IV, Expansion, for updates to imaging system in the Financial Aid area, as well as our newer client offices
Copyright © 1999 WMU