It has been an extremely busy summer in IT/MIS.  Probably the biggest event was our recent changeover to new hardware for the Viewpoint server.  We took the opportunity to upgrade from SQL Server 2000 to SQL Server 2005 while we were moving the data.  Everything went off pretty well.  I know there have been a few lingering issues, but I’m sure they’ll be cleaned up in the near future.  Viewpoint will be releasing a “new” version of their software in the next 6-12 months.  One of the requirements of the new version is this new version of SQL Server…we’re a step ahead of everybody else right now because when the new version is released all customers will have to upgrade SQL AND Viewpoint.  We think by doing the first step early we’ll be in a better position when the mandatory update comes due.

Candace has been as busy as ever with report writing and babysitting the connections via Citrix on a daily basis.  Sandy is doing a lot of work with development and data migrations as well.  It’s been odd not having them just down the hall!  I think we’ve all adjusted pretty well to the new layout and not being within shouting distance of one another.

John and I have been busy planning for the ’07 budget year.  I think we have a good idea of the machines that will be replaced this winter and also the schedule we want to use to do it.  Practice makes perfect.  Our rough count shows that we’re taking care of about 225-250 machines total.  Between our maintenance and your (as a user) good habits as employees we’re seeing some of our PC’s lasting 6 and even 7 years.  That’s 3-4 years longer than what most call an average lifespan for a PC.  That is a mouthful right there…and it’s that kind of longevity that keeps our costs down.

We’ll be getting out the training literature here in a few weeks.  Once again Sandy will be offering a full regimen of classes this winter.  If you have suggestions for class this is the time to offer them!

Keep up the good work.