[468] in I/T Delivery
4/8/2001 Enterprise Print Delivery Project Status Report
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (David F Lambert)
Sun Apr 8 19:11:33 2001
Message-Id: <200104082311.TAA03278@pacific-carrier-annex.mit.edu>
Date: Sun, 08 Apr 01 19:10:39 EDT
From: David F Lambert <LAMBERT@MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
To: Roger A Roach <RAR@MIT.EDU>, delivery@MIT.EDU
cc: Enterprise Printing Delivery Project Team <printdel@MIT.EDU>
Project Name: Enterprise Printing Delivery Project
Team Members: Mary Ellen Bushnell, Rocklyn Clarke, Lynne Durland,
Dave Lambert & Cecilia Talamantes
Report Date: 04/08/2001
Project Notebook: http://web.mit.edu/is/delivery/enterprint/
Accomplishments for the past period:
- core Web server development (https://pillage.mit.edu): significant
general improvements were implemented; running with MIT Apache now;
consulting development work was very active this month
- Business & Financial Models: due to limited availability of the
FBC, the remaining team members will complete the BM & FM work;
the FBC will act as an outside resource for the team
- continued work on AFP forms for MITSIS: compiled and moved forms,
moved, updated and compiled pagedef and formdef files, ran test prints;
successfully printed one form & will continue testing with test data
- closed problem report with IBM, upgraded the servers to the latest
software
- worked with IBM to develop PCR3 for webified IPM Operator functions
- worked with Dan to spec out PCR4 for webified IPM Admin functions
- worked with Jody to debug SSL problem
- produced draft VM Newsflash re implications of network printing
- met with Suzana and Steve Turner (Data Warehouse) to scope out work
on redesign of IPM Web interface (usability)
- successfully negotiated a significant price reduction for the
development consulting work; both Service & Delivery will share
the costs
file to address GL statement printing requirements
- completed service overview documentation for operations and final edit
to the overview diagram
- met with IBM VP for North Americas Sales to discuss our project and
its progress; hosted IBM consultant visit and discussed MIT environment
- evaluated options for handling header pages with SAP output; decided
to use IPM header pages for all jobs
- began investigating options to jog output within a Postscript
- wrapped up initial Postscript testing and returned loaner printer
thanks to OCP
Goals for the coming period:
- finish Beta version of the basic Web interface (desktop & BLT type use)
- complete Business & Financial Models final draft and make available
for general review & comment
- continue moving MITSIS printing resources from the mainframe to IPM;
resolve legacy font issues with IPM; continue testing
- review operator Web interface and provide feedback to consultants
- review initial IPM accounting interface and provide feedback
- work with ASST to get KLPR running on Plunder and Pillage (carryover)
- begin redesign of Web interface to fit it into MIT Web page design
and to make it more usable
- present IPM technical details to VM-SST
- begin mainframe customer discussions wrt print file exposure
- finalize authentication solution for application servers
- resolve intra file Postscript output jogging issue
- get IBM to submit weekly progress reports
- test the newly installed mainframe AFP APAR for network printing
(carryover - needs VM-SST resource)
- submit PCR3 (webified ops function) to Procurement
- get PCR4 (webified admin function) from IBM & submit it to Procurement
- continue documenting how to do things in IPM (logical/actual
dest setup, afp procedures etc, list gotchas)
- work on operations how-to instructions and troubleshooting guide
- review updated WBS (continue to update as needed)
Issues:
none
Key learnings:
When a team member is clearly overloaded and is unable to deliver
assignments on time don't wait to really resolve the issue. Find
an alternative option for getting the work completed - it'll help keep
the project on track and eliminate a lot of stress all around.
Team dynamics:
Cecilia has left the core team but will remain as an external
resource for the business & financial modeling work. She's
completed the lion's share of work and the team wishes to acknowledge
her involvement and expertise.
Additional comments:
none
