upgrading to banner 8

TJ Rains, PMPAssociate CIO, Enterprise SystemsEmporia State University

Banner Environment ReviewEnterprise Systems Team OrganizationBanner 8.1 Upgrade Project Scope/Risks/Resource RequirementsSchedule ReviewSystem Testing Lessons LearnedQ&A

Core Systems Luminis Portal (Buzz In)

Banner Channels, SSB IntegrationBanner AdvancementBanner FinanceBanner Financial AidBanner StudentOperational Data Store/Enterprise Data WarehouseCognos BIRMS Housing

Supporting SoftwareEvisions Form Fusion and IntellicheckE~PrintTouchnet Payment GatewayUC4 (Appworx)Runner Technologies Clean Address

PlatformsHardware – Sun v490 Based Architecture w/ StorageTek SANPrimary OS - Sun Solaris 10Oracle

Enterprise Systems TeamEnterprise Infrastructure Team

Oracle DBA/Team LeadBanner Application Administrator/DBALuminis System AdministratorWeb Tailor/SSB Administrator/DeveloperSystems Integrator/EM SpecialistBanner Security Administrator/UC4 AdministratorODS/EDW/Cognos AdministratorSystems Administrator/Sun Hardware Support

Banner Student, Financial Aid Technical TeamApplication Development SupervisorPrimary Student Application SupportPrimary Financial Aid Support

Banner Finance, HR, Payroll, Advancement Technical TeamApplication Development SupervisorPrimary HR/Payroll/Finance SupportPrimary Advancement Support

Functional Team Lead(s)Test Plan Development Test Plan Execution ManagementProduction Readiness Sign Off

Subject Matter ExpertsTest Plan Execution

Evaluate, procure and install new server and storage hardware to support the Banner 8 systemUpgrade Oracle to 10g UTF8Upgrade All Banner Systems (INB/SSB) to latest releases (8.1x)Upgrade ODS and EDW to latest release 8Upgrade Luminis to version 4.2Upgrade Cognos 8 BI to version 8.3 SP2Upgrade UC4 (Appworx)

8 Months of Bliss!Hardware and Software Installation – September 2008 – March 2009Functional and Technical Test Plan Development – September 2008 – October 2009Test Plan Execution – January 2009 – April 2009Cutover to Banner 8.1 – April 26, 2009

Functional and Technical Test PlansFunctional and Technical Teams Defined the critical tasks and activities that must be tested to verify system function and production readiness.Test Plan Development Process began in September 2008Student System Specific Issues.

Lack of functional documentation and understanding on system usage.Business Process Analysis required

Luminis Middle Tier – ID/PIN/LDAP SynchLDI Role Assignment for Targeted Content ODS Changes in Fields and Data Types caused significant issues in existing reportsForm Changes and Additions – Testing and TrainingLack of thorough understanding of business processes supported by the Student System caused test plan development issues.

Touchnet Payment Gateway Configuration. Active Directory Printer Functions (AD Project Related)Pro-C Compiler Support Change

Functional and Technical Collaboration is necessary for a successful launch.

Scheduling, Test Plan Development and Issue Resolution.

Remain open and honest about the issues that are present and attack each issue in a pragmatic and deliberate manner. Plan for the worst and hope for the bestBe open to change in schedule if required