Building your software upgrade toolshed
My grandfather was a carpenter. From an early age, he taught me the names of – and how to use – a variety of tools for the purpose of construction and home improvement. I was eager to imitate him, and loved days spent as his helper, fetching whatever he needed from the toolshed.
As I grew older, I took an interest in IT, and although my home improvement skills remain woefully low – yes, I admit to having recently paid someone to install new window blinds – I’ve always remembered and cherished the steadfast usefulness of a humble toolshed.
Often an overlooked part of software upgrades, OnBase has a “toolshed” of its own. Our toolshed, which is really your toolshed, includes a number of tools to assist an admin or project manager as they make their upgrade choices. Using these tools can save a lot of potential headaches when you’re renovating your IT home during an upgrade!
Upgrades are important. They introduce many fixes for security vulnerabilities. They keep you current with cutting-edge technology – possibly even ahead of the competition. They also keep software integrations with your important systems running smoothly, whether they’re electronic signatures, ERPs, claims solutions, EMRs or CRMs.
You can find many of these tools on OnBase Community or simply ask your first line of support. Here are some of my favorite tools, grouped by functionalities:
The work bench
This worksheet will help you collect important information about your current OnBase environment. It highlights areas where we’re implementing changes and helps you to plan for any modifications in environmental requirements.
This whitepaper reads as an Incremental Parallel Upgrade how-to manual and will guide you every step of the way from upgrading your database to putting on the finishing touches.
This whitepaper highlights some key strategies for testing an OnBase solution in order to mitigate risk. It covers a number of testing methodologies and recommendations which you can use when preparing for a software upgrade.
Measure twice, cut once
This tool helps to ensure that client workstations and servers meet the minimum system requirements for the OnBase Client, Unity Client and Web/Application Server respective to the version of OnBase to which you are upgrading.
The SAT tool is particularly necessary when upgrading from an older version and especially useful when using published desktops for end users or virtualized servers.
- Delta Reports A.K.A. What’s New?
These reports allow you to gather information on what we have added or changed between any two OnBase builds. You can easily filter this report by enhancements, bug fixes and UI changes. You can also easily export it to a PDF file.
Wheelbarrow for permissions and settings
While OnBase installers will migrate many configuration settings, the appropriate way to verify all of the settings have migrated successfully is to use the Export and Import features of the Web Application Management Console (WAMCon).
This feature will easily allow an administrator to migrate settings from one version of OnBase to another and is included with all web and app server installations. Kind of like carrying all your firewood over to the fire pit in one trip by putting it all in a wheelbarrow instead of making 20 separate trips.
Much like what WAMCon does for OnBase configuration files, this whitepaper shows you how to use built-in Windows commands for IIS settings and permissions on your web and app servers.
The hardware store
Like the old-school hardware store was once a hub of social activity that revolved around building and home renovation, the Hyland Community features discussions on topics of interest for OnBase users and admins of every stripe. It’s the place to network with experts, share best practices and help each other solve business issues.
By keeping your toolshed well equipped – and clearing out the cobwebs when necessary – you’ll set yourself, your OnBase system and your organization up for long -term success.
More planning, fewer headaches. That’s the power of the OnBase upgrade toolshed.
Outside of OnBase, Mike loves spending time with his family, working out and playing Xbox. He can often be found sipping a whisky and talking about geeky things while watching a Patriots football or Cleveland Cavaliers game.
