Orbis Unicode release

[Audrey Novak <audrey.novak@YALE.EDU>]

I am writing about our plans to install the next release of Voyager, the 
software that supports Orbis.

During the Holiday Recess, Dec 27-30, Orbis will be upgraded to the next 
release of Voyager.  This upgrade will include the Unicode release and, we 
hope, the release after Unicode which is referred to as Rel.5.

This schedule is a change in our original plans to install the Voyager with 
Unicode release this July 2005.  We are shifting the implementation date in 
order to better utilize the Library's resources.  Specific reasons for this 
shift are:

1) A recent test of the conversion process by the ITS/Library Group 
determined that implementing Voyager with Unicode will require 4-5 days of 
downtime.  The recess period between Christmas and New Years is the only 
time during the year when we can minimize the impact of that much downtime 
for both staff and readers. During this conversion, circulation locations 
will use offline circ and our backup OPAC will be available for the public. 
All Orbis staff acquisitions, cataloging, and online circulation functions 
as well as OPAC patron empowerment functions will be down.

2) Our intent has always been to install the Voyager with Unicode release 
along with Rel.5. By combining the two releases we will be saving roughly 3 
months of testing by library staff. Endeavor is not making Rel.5 available 
to us for testing until sometime in late June.  This timing makes it 
impossible to install the two releases together in July. Provided Rel.5 is 
available by August, we will install both releases in December.

3) Our Unicode plans also included the expectation that we would load an 
RLIN snapshot of records for the Near Eastern and Judaica Collections 
before the start of the test period for the Unicode release.  RLG's 
conversion to RLIN21 and their subsequent problems stabilizing their 
environment reduce the likelihood that we would be able to accomplish this 
goal in time for a July conversion.

This Fall as we gear up to test Unicode and Rel.5 you will hear more about 
the features of both releases and our implementation plans.

In the meantime if you have any questions about the current schedule please 
contact me.

-Audrey
__________________________________________________________
Audrey T. Novak -- audrey.novak@yale.edu -- 203-432-2365
Manager: Integrated Systems and Programming Group,
Integrated Library Technology Services, Yale University
P.O. Box 208240, New Haven, CT 06520-8240