Managing a Successful Managing a Successful UpgradeUpgrade

Jonathan Field

OrOr

“The Ten Upgrade “The Ten Upgrade Commandments”Commandments”

OrOr

“Sermon on the “Sermon on the Boat”Boat”

Why are you upgrading?Why are you upgrading?

Software Fix New Functionality Support for old

version is going

Unicorn VersionsUnicorn Versions

(98.x) 99.4 2000 2001 (2002) 2003

Fairly up to date!

Current Very Current! BETA Tester

Fantasy!!History!

Project PlanningProject Planning

Part of an overall SIRSI project (e.g.

migration, WebCat etc.) Customer Project

– Key action points– Who is actioned?

TimingTiming How frequently do

you want to upgrade?– bi-annually– annually

– never if I can help it! Convenience for all

– are SIRSI available?– down-time

ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities Who do you need?

– SIRSI?– Library staff?– IT staff?– End-users?– Contractors?

ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities Who’s managing it? Who’s organising

backups (and restores)?

Who’s doing the upgrade?

Who’s roling out new software?

ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities Who’s copying the live

to the test server? Who’s training/being

trained? Who’s getting the

documentation? Who’s getting the

software?

DocumentationDocumentation User Group letter (upgrade

notification)

Release Notes (for each version)

FAQs Multimedia

Tour/Seminars Known issues www.sirsi.com (you have got

your password haven’t you?)

TrainingTraining

Pre-upgrade training Post-upgrade training Staff/end-user

BackupsBackups

5 things to check

BackupsBackups

Who’s doing the backup

Who’s doing the restore!

Verified? Completed with

services down?

The Upgrade ProcessThe Upgrade Process Software Delivery

Service SIRSI vs DIY NT Upgrades Custom

reports/utilities

The Upgrade ProcessThe Upgrade Process SIRSI vs DIY

– SIRSI• need a consultant• need to book a time

– DIY• ensure someone will be around• think about getting the software• think about getting advice

The Upgrade ProcessThe Upgrade Process NT Upgrades

– Read the instructions completely prior to the upgrade

– Do not upgrade OS to Windows 2000– Services (including InetPub in

manual– re-boot server– Do NOT stop the upgrade– 5100 available in firewall?– Do NOT upgrade if you have been

having hardware problems– Disable any Anti-Virus

The Upgrade ProcessThe Upgrade Process Custom

Reports/Utilities– Test on test server first if

possible– Run it prior to the upgrade– Let SIRSI know beforehand if it

is critical to your operations

Post Upgrade ProcessPost Upgrade Process Who do you contact?

– Upgrade Consultant?– Helpdesk

Test ServersTest Servers Why do you want

one?– Test custom work– BETA test– Training

ConclusionConclusion No upgrade is ever

trouble-free (well - almost never!)

Can range from:- Few Problems

Disaster!

Questions?Questions?

Managing a Successful Managing a Successful UpgradeUpgrade

Jonathan Field