[arrl-odv:25192] Computer Issues Stymie ARRL VEC Application Processing
I saw this due to a story being reposted on the HamCation Facebook page. This is the kind of information that as a Director I expect to know about before the membership/public does. I searched my archive of ARRL emails, but don't see any notice to the Board of what amounts to a very serious problem. I would appreciate a brief overview of the situation (# of examinees affected; a general description of what the suspected cause of the issue is; what are we doing to fix the issue; etc.) Doug K4AC < http://www.arrl.org/news/view/computer-issues-stymie-arrl-vec-application-pr ocessing> The ARRL VEC had hoped to see the problem resolved by now, but since February 22, an intractable mainframe computer system glitch has kept the VEC from managing and posting the schedule of future examination sessions and processing application data from completed sessions to the FCC. "This time it's not an FCC problem but our own, said ARRL VEC Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM. "What we thought initially was an easy fix was not to be. There are approximately 400 future test dates waiting to be submitted into the system, and nearly 200 completed sessions are waiting to be transmitted to the FCC." Somma said the system has been working "sporadically," so a few test sessions here and there have been getting through to the FCC for processing, so it could act on the applications. Those whose applications did not slip through are still waiting. The problem centers on a legacy mainframe system. The ARRL IT Department has indicated that it hopes to resolve the problem by week's end, if not sooner.
Doug: I apologize for the timing of the web story. I wasn't aware that it was being written/distributed this morning. The situation is that an anomaly arose in the VEC module of the Siebel system affecting the data entry screens approximately 14 days ago. The issue appears intermittently and has been resolved a couple of times, only to reoccur a day or two later. It has impacted the ability of the VEC to input the results of test sessions submitted during that period of time. At the height of the problem, we had data from approximately 200 sessions awaiting entry. There was not a specific count of individual test results taken so I can't give you numbers on the number of people directly affected. As of this morning, the problem was in remission, so to speak, and the VEC has entered approximately 50% of the backlog of sessions. The department's resources are fully focused on entering all the data from the past couple of weeks. Additional resources from other areas have been applied where we can with people who are trained in the VEC data entry. We are still trying to identify the specific cause and are pursuing a couple of possibilities. Because the cause of the situation has not been identified, we are also developing a workaround for the data entry process in case the problem arises again. This should be completed by Friday so we will have that as a back-up. Again, I apologize for the timing of the web story. It shouldn't have happened that way. 73, Barry J. Shelley, N1VXY Chief Financial Officer ARRL, Inc. The National Association for Amateur Radio (860) 594-0212 www.arrl.org From: arrl-odv [mailto:arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org] On Behalf Of Rehman, Doug, K4AC Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2016 2:58 PM To: arrl-odv <arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org> Subject: [arrl-odv:25192] Computer Issues Stymie ARRL VEC Application Processing I saw this due to a story being reposted on the HamCation Facebook page. This is the kind of information that as a Director I expect to know about before the membership/public does. I searched my archive of ARRL emails, but don't see any notice to the Board of what amounts to a very serious problem. I would appreciate a brief overview of the situation (# of examinees affected; a general description of what the suspected cause of the issue is; what are we doing to fix the issue; etc.) Doug K4AC < http://www.arrl.org/news/view/computer-issues-stymie-arrl-vec-application-processing> The ARRL VEC had hoped to see the problem resolved by now, but since February 22, an intractable mainframe computer system glitch has kept the VEC from managing and posting the schedule of future examination sessions and processing application data from completed sessions to the FCC. "This time it's not an FCC problem but our own, said ARRL VEC Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM. "What we thought initially was an easy fix was not to be. There are approximately 400 future test dates waiting to be submitted into the system, and nearly 200 completed sessions are waiting to be transmitted to the FCC." Somma said the system has been working "sporadically," so a few test sessions here and there have been getting through to the FCC for processing, so it could act on the applications. Those whose applications did not slip through are still waiting. The problem centers on a legacy mainframe system. The ARRL IT Department has indicated that it hopes to resolve the problem by week's end, if not sooner.
Thank you Barry What is the timeframe for the implementation of the replacement VEC module for the new membership services database? (I'm going from memory that may be cloudy as to the replacement being a part of the new membership services database.) Thanks, Doug K4AC From: Shelley, Barry, N1VXY [mailto:bshelley@arrl.org] Sent: Wednesday, March 2, 2016 3:25 PM To: Rehman, Doug, K4AC <doug@k4ac.com>; arrl-odv <arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org> Cc: Somma, Maria, AB1FM <msomma@arrl.org>; Keane, Michael, K1MK <mkeane@arrl.org> Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:25192] Computer Issues Stymie ARRL VEC Application Processing Doug: I apologize for the timing of the web story. I wasn't aware that it was being written/distributed this morning. The situation is that an anomaly arose in the VEC module of the Siebel system affecting the data entry screens approximately 14 days ago. The issue appears intermittently and has been resolved a couple of times, only to reoccur a day or two later. It has impacted the ability of the VEC to input the results of test sessions submitted during that period of time. At the height of the problem, we had data from approximately 200 sessions awaiting entry. There was not a specific count of individual test results taken so I can't give you numbers on the number of people directly affected. As of this morning, the problem was in remission, so to speak, and the VEC has entered approximately 50% of the backlog of sessions. The department's resources are fully focused on entering all the data from the past couple of weeks. Additional resources from other areas have been applied where we can with people who are trained in the VEC data entry. We are still trying to identify the specific cause and are pursuing a couple of possibilities. Because the cause of the situation has not been identified, we are also developing a workaround for the data entry process in case the problem arises again. This should be completed by Friday so we will have that as a back-up. Again, I apologize for the timing of the web story. It shouldn't have happened that way. 73, Barry J. Shelley, N1VXY Chief Financial Officer ARRL, Inc. The National Association for Amateur Radio (860) 594-0212 www.arrl.org <http://www.arrl.org> From: arrl-odv [mailto:arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org] On Behalf Of Rehman, Doug, K4AC Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2016 2:58 PM To: arrl-odv <arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org <mailto:arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org> > Subject: [arrl-odv:25192] Computer Issues Stymie ARRL VEC Application Processing I saw this due to a story being reposted on the HamCation Facebook page. This is the kind of information that as a Director I expect to know about before the membership/public does. I searched my archive of ARRL emails, but don't see any notice to the Board of what amounts to a very serious problem. I would appreciate a brief overview of the situation (# of examinees affected; a general description of what the suspected cause of the issue is; what are we doing to fix the issue; etc.) Doug K4AC < http://www.arrl.org/news/view/computer-issues-stymie-arrl-vec-application-pr ocessing> The ARRL VEC had hoped to see the problem resolved by now, but since February 22, an intractable mainframe computer system glitch has kept the VEC from managing and posting the schedule of future examination sessions and processing application data from completed sessions to the FCC. "This time it's not an FCC problem but our own, said ARRL VEC Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM. "What we thought initially was an easy fix was not to be. There are approximately 400 future test dates waiting to be submitted into the system, and nearly 200 completed sessions are waiting to be transmitted to the FCC." Somma said the system has been working "sporadically," so a few test sessions here and there have been getting through to the FCC for processing, so it could act on the applications. Those whose applications did not slip through are still waiting. The problem centers on a legacy mainframe system. The ARRL IT Department has indicated that it hopes to resolve the problem by week's end, if not sooner.
Doug: Our current schedule is to replace the Membership/Development module of Siebel this year. Work has begun on the specifications recently with the Sales and Marketing Dept. staff. The VEC module was planned for next year in the overall scheme. This recent issue has caused me to consider that schedule but I don't want to make a rash decision. I'm going to wait until we can get more information on the current situation before making that call. And just FYI, we are planning a follow-up item on the web news when we get closer to being caught up with the backlog. 73, Barry, N1VXY ________________________________ From: Rehman, Doug, K4AC Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2016 5:03 PM To: Shelley, Barry, N1VXY; arrl-odv Cc: Keane, Michael, K1MK Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:25192] Computer Issues Stymie ARRL VEC Application Processing Thank you Barry What is the timeframe for the implementation of the replacement VEC module for the new membership services database? (I’m going from memory that may be cloudy as to the replacement being a part of the new membership services database.) Thanks, Doug K4AC From: Shelley, Barry, N1VXY [mailto:bshelley@arrl.org] Sent: Wednesday, March 2, 2016 3:25 PM To: Rehman, Doug, K4AC <doug@k4ac.com>; arrl-odv <arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org> Cc: Somma, Maria, AB1FM <msomma@arrl.org>; Keane, Michael, K1MK <mkeane@arrl.org> Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:25192] Computer Issues Stymie ARRL VEC Application Processing Doug: I apologize for the timing of the web story. I wasn’t aware that it was being written/distributed this morning. The situation is that an anomaly arose in the VEC module of the Siebel system affecting the data entry screens approximately 14 days ago. The issue appears intermittently and has been resolved a couple of times, only to reoccur a day or two later. It has impacted the ability of the VEC to input the results of test sessions submitted during that period of time. At the height of the problem, we had data from approximately 200 sessions awaiting entry. There was not a specific count of individual test results taken so I can’t give you numbers on the number of people directly affected. As of this morning, the problem was in remission, so to speak, and the VEC has entered approximately 50% of the backlog of sessions. The department’s resources are fully focused on entering all the data from the past couple of weeks. Additional resources from other areas have been applied where we can with people who are trained in the VEC data entry. We are still trying to identify the specific cause and are pursuing a couple of possibilities. Because the cause of the situation has not been identified, we are also developing a workaround for the data entry process in case the problem arises again. This should be completed by Friday so we will have that as a back-up. Again, I apologize for the timing of the web story. It shouldn’t have happened that way. 73, Barry J. Shelley, N1VXY Chief Financial Officer ARRL, Inc. The National Association for Amateur Radio (860) 594-0212 www.arrl.org<http://www.arrl.org> From: arrl-odv [mailto:arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org] On Behalf Of Rehman, Doug, K4AC Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2016 2:58 PM To: arrl-odv <arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org<mailto:arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org>> Subject: [arrl-odv:25192] Computer Issues Stymie ARRL VEC Application Processing I saw this due to a story being reposted on the HamCation Facebook page. This is the kind of information that as a Director I expect to know about before the membership/public does. I searched my archive of ARRL emails, but don’t see any notice to the Board of what amounts to a very serious problem. I would appreciate a brief overview of the situation (# of examinees affected; a general description of what the suspected cause of the issue is; what are we doing to fix the issue; etc.) Doug K4AC < http://www.arrl.org/news/view/computer-issues-stymie-arrl-vec-application-processing> The ARRL VEC had hoped to see the problem resolved by now, but since February 22, an intractable mainframe computer system glitch has kept the VEC from managing and posting the schedule of future examination sessions and processing application data from completed sessions to the FCC. “This time it’s not an FCC problem but our own, said ARRL VEC Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM. “What we thought initially was an easy fix was not to be. There are approximately 400 future test dates waiting to be submitted into the system, and nearly 200 completed sessions are waiting to be transmitted to the FCC.” Somma said the system has been working “sporadically,” so a few test sessions here and there have been getting through to the FCC for processing, so it could act on the applications. Those whose applications did not slip through are still waiting. The problem centers on a legacy mainframe system. The ARRL IT Department has indicated that it hopes to resolve the problem by week’s end, if not sooner.
Very good-thanks for the details Barry. Doug K4AC Thanks & 73, Doug From: Shelley, Barry, N1VXY [mailto:bshelley@arrl.org] Sent: Wednesday, March 2, 2016 7:33 PM To: Rehman, Doug, K4AC <doug@k4ac.com>; arrl-odv <arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org> Cc: Keane, Michael, K1MK <mkeane@arrl.org> Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:25192] Computer Issues Stymie ARRL VEC Application Processing Doug: Our current schedule is to replace the Membership/Development module of Siebel this year. Work has begun on the specifications recently with the Sales and Marketing Dept. staff. The VEC module was planned for next year in the overall scheme. This recent issue has caused me to consider that schedule but I don't want to make a rash decision. I'm going to wait until we can get more information on the current situation before making that call. And just FYI, we are planning a follow-up item on the web news when we get closer to being caught up with the backlog. 73, Barry, N1VXY _____ From: Rehman, Doug, K4AC Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2016 5:03 PM To: Shelley, Barry, N1VXY; arrl-odv Cc: Keane, Michael, K1MK Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:25192] Computer Issues Stymie ARRL VEC Application Processing Thank you Barry What is the timeframe for the implementation of the replacement VEC module for the new membership services database? (I'm going from memory that may be cloudy as to the replacement being a part of the new membership services database.) Thanks, Doug K4AC From: Shelley, Barry, N1VXY [mailto:bshelley@arrl.org] Sent: Wednesday, March 2, 2016 3:25 PM To: Rehman, Doug, K4AC <doug@k4ac.com <mailto:doug@k4ac.com> >; arrl-odv <arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org <mailto:arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org> > Cc: Somma, Maria, AB1FM <msomma@arrl.org <mailto:msomma@arrl.org> >; Keane, Michael, K1MK <mkeane@arrl.org <mailto:mkeane@arrl.org> > Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:25192] Computer Issues Stymie ARRL VEC Application Processing Doug: I apologize for the timing of the web story. I wasn't aware that it was being written/distributed this morning. The situation is that an anomaly arose in the VEC module of the Siebel system affecting the data entry screens approximately 14 days ago. The issue appears intermittently and has been resolved a couple of times, only to reoccur a day or two later. It has impacted the ability of the VEC to input the results of test sessions submitted during that period of time. At the height of the problem, we had data from approximately 200 sessions awaiting entry. There was not a specific count of individual test results taken so I can't give you numbers on the number of people directly affected. As of this morning, the problem was in remission, so to speak, and the VEC has entered approximately 50% of the backlog of sessions. The department's resources are fully focused on entering all the data from the past couple of weeks. Additional resources from other areas have been applied where we can with people who are trained in the VEC data entry. We are still trying to identify the specific cause and are pursuing a couple of possibilities. Because the cause of the situation has not been identified, we are also developing a workaround for the data entry process in case the problem arises again. This should be completed by Friday so we will have that as a back-up. Again, I apologize for the timing of the web story. It shouldn't have happened that way. 73, Barry J. Shelley, N1VXY Chief Financial Officer ARRL, Inc. The National Association for Amateur Radio (860) 594-0212 www.arrl.org <http://www.arrl.org> From: arrl-odv [mailto:arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org] On Behalf Of Rehman, Doug, K4AC Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2016 2:58 PM To: arrl-odv <arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org <mailto:arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org> > Subject: [arrl-odv:25192] Computer Issues Stymie ARRL VEC Application Processing I saw this due to a story being reposted on the HamCation Facebook page. This is the kind of information that as a Director I expect to know about before the membership/public does. I searched my archive of ARRL emails, but don't see any notice to the Board of what amounts to a very serious problem. I would appreciate a brief overview of the situation (# of examinees affected; a general description of what the suspected cause of the issue is; what are we doing to fix the issue; etc.) Doug K4AC < http://www.arrl.org/news/view/computer-issues-stymie-arrl-vec-application-pr ocessing> The ARRL VEC had hoped to see the problem resolved by now, but since February 22, an intractable mainframe computer system glitch has kept the VEC from managing and posting the schedule of future examination sessions and processing application data from completed sessions to the FCC. "This time it's not an FCC problem but our own, said ARRL VEC Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM. "What we thought initially was an easy fix was not to be. There are approximately 400 future test dates waiting to be submitted into the system, and nearly 200 completed sessions are waiting to be transmitted to the FCC." Somma said the system has been working "sporadically," so a few test sessions here and there have been getting through to the FCC for processing, so it could act on the applications. Those whose applications did not slip through are still waiting. The problem centers on a legacy mainframe system. The ARRL IT Department has indicated that it hopes to resolve the problem by week's end, if not sooner.
participants (2)
-
Doug Rehman -
Shelley, Barry, N1VXY