Horizon and iPac Upgrades

[May 31, 2002]
This will be a busy summer for DALNET members and staff as we install Horizon 7.0.2/3 and iPac. Horizon 7.0.3 is a server side patch for Horizon 7.0.2 that allows it to work correctly with both iPac 2.0.1 and WebPAC. The client CD that loads onto the staff workstations indicates that the release is Version 7.0.2. The process for loading this version of the client is streamlined and takes less time to install than previous releases did. So far, a number of sites have already had their test databases converted to release 7.0.2/3 and six more sites have requested a spot in the queue. By mid-June, we expect all DALNET sites to have their test databases to Horizon 7.0.2/3; production databases will soon follow.

iPac 2.0.1, the next step in our summer conversion process, was released last week. Jackie Wrosch, DALNET's Webmaster is taking a Web-based, instructor led training class from epixtech in iPac 2.0.1 Administration. After upgrading to 7.0.3, DALNET staff will set up multiple instances of iPac and help members customize their public catalogs for use with iPac. iPac is much faster and provides more search options than WebPAC. During the transition, members will have access to both WebPAC and iPac and will work with the DALNET staff to phase iPac in and WebPAC out.

Once a site has iPac running, we can then begin work to upgrade to Horizon 7.2. Release 7.2 only works with iPac, not WebPAC, so the interim step of Horizon 7.0.3 is necessary to avoid simultaneously upgrading both iPac and Horizon 7.2. Bill Easton's recent product demo showed a number of key features of Horizon 7.2 including the MARC Editor and the Launcher.

DALNET still needs to complete implementation of the punctuation and subfield V fixes. The installation of the subfield V fixes needs to occur fairly soon because there are payment obligations to epixtech related to their acceptance. Project Managers will assist DALNET in developing a timeline to implement these fixes, which can occur anytime after migration to iPac, and determining whether to do this before Horizon 7.2 or after.

Next in the queue is Horizon Release 7.3 due out in the 4th quarter of 2002. Project Managers will work with DALNET staff in determining if we should implement release 7.3 instead of, or in addition to, release 7.2. More information will be provided about release 7.3 as it becomes available.

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