Implementation

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