NT Implementation and Training

MARSHALL BREEDING reports that the process of converting library staff to our new computer environment has begun. The Walker Management Library was the first staff group to go through this process. Marshall and CAROL DICKERSON suggest that a summary of their experience might help other library staff know what to expect when their turn comes around.

File Server Conversion
One component of the change in the computer environment involves the conversion of the network servers from NetWare 3.11 to IntranetWare 4.11. The LIBRARY4 server, which supports the Management Library staff was converted Oct 26th, a Sunday evening. The process was begun around 9 PM. The circulation desk computer was re-routed to another server so that it could remain operational during the process. In order to upgrade the server, a CD-ROM drive was installed into the server and the disk configuration had to be changed to accommodate the new operating system. The software upgrade was complete by about 4 AM on Monday morning. As part of this conversion, Walker Library staff were converted to an updated version of Pegasus mail that operates in the new network environment.

Workstation Conversion
The Management Library staff were divided into two groups. One group had their computers converted on Tuesday, Oct 28 and the second group on Wednesday, Oct 29th. A total of 15 staff-use computers were converted. The public access stations for Management had been converted previously.

For each of the two groups, we followed a series of steps that included conversion, training, and testing. The library staff gathered for a training session while Jody installed and configured the new operating system on their computers. We had previously completed a checklist for each staff person which listed all the applications needed, and we performed a thorough check of each workstation's hardware and checked for the presence of any data or software stored on local hard drives. Marshall worked from this list to configure each account and to present the appropriate applications through the NetWare Application Launcher window. We also made an initial configuration of network printers.

As staff members returned from training, the conversion of their computers was basically complete, and staff were asked to go through their checklist and test each of their applications.

What worked and what didn't...
All but a few staff found that key applications--Word, Pegasus, Netscape and SIRSI--worked the day of their conversion. A few staff accounts needed further work. There were some problems in printing. Although most of the computers could print, it was not clear to which printer it was going. We then made a more refined effort at printer configuration. We asked each staff person to identify each printer that they use, and to specify which should be used as the default printer. Printing issues were generally resolved by the end of the day on Thursday, but some problems keep showing up..

We had a little more trouble with applications such as Lexis-Nexis, Dow Jones News Retrieval, and general access to the resources on the Walker Management Library public network. These applications were working for staff by the end of the day on Thursday also. The Business Information Service of the Walker Library uses a program called Timeslips to manage their billing process; we are working with the vendor of this program to make it operational in the new environment.

We did have some intermittent problems with Pegasus. Some mail to Management staff was backlogged, but it was all successfully delivered by Friday. Pegasus mail was generally functional throughout the process; the problems involved the receipt of mail from various sources and address book changes that resulted in error messages..

Management Library staff weathered the changes in the network well. As with any change like this, there was some disruption of normal work routines, and no one felt very productive for several days. Splitting into two groups helped. Some staff were able to keep using the old network until other staff were trained and working on the new network, so urgent and critical work got done somehow. Just testing and re-testing all the applications took a lot of time. Having some in-house assistance from our local trainer, Mike Martin, helped a lot, and Jody, Marshall, Susan, and Suellen were all available for trouble-shooting problems as they cropped up. Library Technology learned a lot from this initial group conversion that will help make it even easier for the groups that remain.