FAQ:

1) Can SMSS provide a fix using Interbase to satisfy the MOE April SDR requirement instead of having to migrate to SQL to do so? What is required by us to support the TEC code change from 2 digits to 3?

All changes to Artena to reflect the MOE 2007 SDR requirements will be delivered in Artena version 7.11. Planned release date of version 7.11 is 13/4/07. Version 7.11 still uses the Interbase database. Further information on version 7.11 release April MOE SDR can be obtained from SMSS website.

2) How will this change occur? Are there any costs to us? GDB code migration to SQL?

Migration to version 7.11, the version required for the MoE 2007 SDR changes, is explained on our website {http://www.smss.org.nz/newsdetail.php?id=14}. Version 7.11 still uses the Interbase database. We can assist you with this migration remotely through our Help Desk or, if you prefer, onsite. Our standard Help Desk support is at no charge. If you want onsite support you will need to pay for the costs of the SMSS engineer (e.g. travel & accommodation) plus a daily fee of $675 + GST.

Version 7.12 is the version of Artena that changes the database from Interbase to SQL Server. The change will occur through a migration process which takes your installation from previous versions of Artena to version 7.12. The migration process involves script execution and installation of the Artena Client SQL version. SMSS will ship the migration script with the version 7.12 software so that you can do the migration yourself. Alternatively, an SMSS engineer can come to your site to do the migration for you. You will need to pay for the costs of the SMSS engineer (e.g. travel & accommodation) plus a daily fee of $675 + GST. It should take no more than 1 day to complete the migration, but that cannot be guaranteed as there may be factors to do with your computing environment that impact the installation process.

3) What is your proposed migration plan for our site from the current database system to the SQL system?

Our proposed migration plan is as follows:
• Step 1: You send us a copy of your database.
• Step 2: We perform a series of tests migrating from version 7.11 to version 7.12 using the copy of your database.
• Step 3: Upon completion of the tests, a version of your data migrated to the version 7.12 SQL Server database will be shipped back to you.
• Step 4: You install version 7.12 with your data in your test environment and run your own site tests to verify it is correct; we will work with you via our usual Help Desk process to debug any problems you encounter during your testing.
• Step 5: You need to plan for a change window in your production environment to perform a migration to version 7.12 in production. We recommended this window is over weekend, which provides maximum time to fix problems or to roll back in the event of failure.
  
4) When is this whole change from the current file structure to SQL likely to occur?

SMSS is targeting to support the migration to version 7.12 beginning July 2007. Our preference is for all sites to migrate to version 7.12 prior to the end of 2007.

5) How long will it take to migrate our IB file over to SQL?

Actual migration from Interbase to SQL depends on the size of the current site database. It will take approximately 2 hours to 8 hours to perform the migration process. If any serious problems are encountered it may take longer. The testing process should assure us that the final production migration is problem-free, but it cannot be guaranteed. Therefore we recommend a large change window (i.e. over a weekend) and a roll back strategy if the migration is so problematic that it has to be aborted.

6) What would be the cost for the migration, (please provide a breakdown)

Costs of migration will include your own internal costs (people time), the cost of an SMSS engineer if required ($675/day + GST plus travel expenses), and the costs of any associated hardware or software you may require (see below).
 
7) What hardware requirements would we need in place?

Hardware requirements are dictated by the version of SQL Server that you will use, as shown in the table below. The version of SQL Server you use will be determined by your scale of operation and use of the product and may also be influenced by other internal IT policies you have.

Further information on SQL products can be obtained from www.microsoft.com/sql/default.mspx

8) Is SMSS offering a deal for servers and SANs where required?
 
We can price hardware for you based on the supplier we usually use. Let us know if you want a price.

9) Is there a deal on SQL licenses that you are also offering as part of this upgrade?
 
No special deal is available from SMSS regards SQL Server licensing. However there are special deals available for education providers for many Microsoft products. Please check with your local IT vendor for further information.  Alternatively, we can price SQL Server licenses for you based on the supplier we usually use. Let us know if you want a price.
  
Further information on SQL products can be obtained from www.microsoft.com/sql/default.mspx

10) Would there be any changes to our current licensing?

Yes there is. Upon successful migration, sites will no longer need to maintain Interbase licensing. Instead, sites are required to maintain sufficient SQL Server licenses.

11) Are any third-party communications required?
 
No.

12) Your new yearly fee? (A break down of costs please)

There are three components to our annual fee.
a. Administration charge: necessary for the ongoing operation of Aplus and SMSS Limited.
b. Maintenance and Support charge: this covers the costs of our Help Desk operation, providing you maintenance patches and assistance with the use of Artena.
c. Enhancement and Development charge: this funds new releases of Artena that provide solutions to new or changed user requirements, new or changed regulatory requirements (e.g. the SDR), and a reserve held for the development of a next generation SMS product when Artena reaches the end of its lifecycle.

13) Will there be any changes to your organizational structure (support) and what might that look like? (Including any changes to our current system of seeking assistance or support.)

No changes at this present time. However we are working on some new initiatives on the Help Desk. One of these, an online helpdesk submittal form, is now available on our website. We are constantly looking into other improvements to our helpdesk operation to serve our customers better. We will provide more information on these initiatives in the near future.