Project Management and Introduction

Based on the projects handled by Galilei Software GmbH, the introduction concept characterised by the following phases has proved to be most successful and economical:

(b), (cd), (e)

(a) Actual state of inventory, harmonisation of a system concept, harmonisation of the framework parameters

In this project section, the project staff members of Galilei Software GmbH get to know the institution of the customer and the tasks to be handled. Existing project-related organisation and EDP structures are recorded. It is decided in which EDP configuration the software application is to run later. The problems of data import and/or integration of potentially existing systems and their interfaces are noted. Special organisational features are recorded and solutions are designed. Project-related records are collected and documented. The project environment, the participants in the projects and the available means for the introduction of the project are determined.

The persons involved in this phase are the responsible project managers of the customers (organisation / EDP manager, project manager) and the persons responsible for the project at Galilei Software GmbH (project manager, consultant(s)).

This project section should result in a harmonised specification, a system concept and/or EDP concept for the subsequent set-up as well as a harmonised project environment and a preliminary time and cost schedule for the introduction of the system.

(a), (cd), (e)

(b) Prototype implementation and qualified acceptance

In this project section the technical requirements of the customer are implemented by means of the software modules of Galilei Software GmbH on an application server of Galilei Software GmbH. If possible, the entire technical range is implemented. In an ideal case, an institution or a department of the customer is used as an example. In this section, the potentially required software adaptations are carried out and the interfaces are tested. Special procedures are documented. The initial training of the subsequent operators is carried out. All persons involved in the project have access to the system, i.e. the responsible staff members of the customer, the project manager and the consultants as well as the software developer team of Galilei Software GmbH in order to be able to directly modify the software and to adapt the parameterisation.

In the process, the project manager and the consultants of Galilei Software GmbH co-operate with their customers on site and use the hosted software on the application server as a reference platform in order to co-operate as efficiently as possible with the software developer team.

For this reason, the staff members on site need a PC workplace, an unrestricted telephone connection, an Internet connection with the possibility of receiving and sending emails as well as a free access to the application server with the software to be introduced. In an ideal case ISDN or ADSL connections are available. If the customer has a firewall, this has to be configured correspondingly.

The aim of this phase is to set up a technically representative system which has practically no gaps as regards contents. This system will be used for early training and the acceptance test, for the test operation as well as for reference for later real operation.

In this phase, the customer-specific documentation for the software will be prepared.

(a), (b), (e)

The real-time environment of the customer is prepared and installed, which means that the hardware server and the clients are provided with their operating system. The database software and the monitoring tools are installed. The backup software and the backup devices are put into operation and are tested. Any potentially required horizontal software packages, such as MS-Word, MS-Excel, et cetera will be installed and tested. User authorisations will be configured. The clients are connected up to the networks. A general system test will be carried out.

The result of this phase is the acceptance of hardware with installed operating system and database environment reliably operating independently of the application.

In this phase, the responsible EDP experts of the customer, the hardware and operating software suppliers of the customer, and if required, the database and application specialists from Galilei Software GmbH are involved primarily.

(d) Installation and test of the application in real-time environment, technical acceptance

The technically accepted system individualised to the application server will be burnt on to CD after the movement data which were created during the test and parameterisation have been erased. This CD will be handed over to the customer for archiving and backup purposes.

If the system contains real data which shall be transferred into the real-time environment, this can be agreed upon.

The application will now be installed and tested in the real-time environment of the customer. Potential problems with the user authorisations, which may occur, will be recognised and removed. If technical defects occur, they will be reproduced and removed on the application server.

The download procedures for the software updates and software upgrades via the Internet will be trained and tested.

When all tests are free from errors and problems, the technical acceptance is declared.

The result of this section is a technically accepted system. In this phase, the project manager and the consultants of Galilei Software GmbH co-operated with their contacts on site.

(a), (b), (cd)

(e) Routine operation, software maintenance

After the technical acceptance, the customer has entered routine operation, which means that he himself is responsible for the operation of his system in his specific institution environment. This includes the regular backup as well as the installation of updates and upgrades to keep the installed version up-to-date. The current software versions are offered to the customer on the service platform of Galilei Software GmbH in regular intervals. The customer has to make sure that a qualified technical exchange of information is possible with Galilei Software GmbH. For this purpose he requires at least one responsible EDP expert trained for these activities.

Galilei Software GmbH supports error handling and software maintenance in the following ways:

(a) The reference platform with all structural data of the institution and the anonymised animal data of the customer on the application server of Galilei Software GmbH is used as a means to discuss program errors and technical problems. By means of exemplary cases, all potential technical problems can be followed up here as a rule. From time to time this platform should be updated with current but anonymised movement data in order to give the participants in the project as well as the software developer team of the Galilei Software GmbH a realistic impression of the installation.

(b) For fast transmission of errors, Galilei Software GmbH has set-up a problem reporting section on the Internet. By entering an animal case number of a case held on the reference platform and a short description of the problem, a problem complained about can be handled almost immediately.

(c) Between 08:00 and 18:00 hours CET the description of the problem can be communicated to the hotline telephone number of Galilei Software GmbH. The competent consultant or advisor will call back as soon as possible to discuss and handle the problem in detail.

(d) By means of the email operated notification service for program improvements and error removals, all participants in the project will be informed that new versions are available on the download server accessible through the Internet.