Stage Two: Surveying
In our last newsletter, we shared the Seven Stages of a Successful Migration, which included details around the first stage: Planning. Now we're onto the second stage: Surveying.
Our initial planning and timeline identified a need to complete a technology assessment. The main goal here is to establish secure network connections from each library to SWAN’s Symphony servers. This could require some new equipment and network configuration adjustments, which are best completed early in a migration project.
SWAN utilizes a virtual private network, known as a VPN, that often is described as a “tunnel” through the Internet. SWAN requires a VPN for all its libraries, ensuring the patron data exchanged from the Symphony staff client back to the servers in the datacenter is secured.
The IT survey allows us to assess your equipment currently in use so we can provide some recommendations. Firewall equipment already in place would most likely be used to create the VPN. It is also possible that some firewalls are older and nearing the end of the vendor support life. The VPN uses encryption schemes that often get upgraded and older equipment may not be able to accommodate newer security models.
RAILS has a grant that we can take advantage of as well. If it is determined that replacement equipment is required to complete the VPN requirement, we can request a cost reimbursement within the grant. The RAILS LLSAP grant application will be provided to the individual libraries where we determine it is needed and SWAN will assist with the application.
The SWAN IT survey will also assist us with planning of third party vendors and software. SWAN IT has 40 vendors that connect to our Symphony system in various ways. Identifying these third party systems early will allow us to create more detailed migration plans.
Best,
Aaron Skog,
SWAN Executive Director
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Your Migration To-Do List
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Library Learning Update: Review Your L2 Logins
SWAN uses the Library Learning site (referred to L2) quite a bit so it will be important for the new 19 libraries to have your staff review their logins and passwords. At some point we will integrate your L2 login with our SWAN Support Site. We will provide you some advance notice on when that will happen, but for now, start reviewing your access.
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SWAN IT Survey in Preparation for Migration
The survey is intended to help SWAN become familiar with your library's IT staff, ILS-connected equipment, and ILS-connected software. We'd recommend filling out the survey alongside your IT staff, if possible, as some of the questions are somewhat specific. This survey will also serve to direct the SWAN IT team through our upcoming visits to your libraries.
So that we can review your responses in a timely manner, please submit your completed survey by March 31. Following receipt of your survey, we'll work with you and/or your IT staff to arrange for a short on-site meeting. If you have any questions or need any assistance with the survey, please don't hesitate to contact SWAN IT at it@swanlibraries.net, or by calling 844-SWAN-LIB (ext. 2).
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Migration News Sign-Up
The New 19 libraries migrating to SWAN will go live in the spring/summer of 2018. Keep up to date with project progress and learn about these new neighbors by signing up for our new bi-weekly newsletter, "New 19."
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10-Second Survey on Enterprise
SWAN posts surveys from time to time. This one is to help us decide on an Enterprise feature with our “Discovery & User Experience Group” otherwise known as DUX. Feel free to participate and comment.
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