EHS Service Portal Upgrade
October 15, 2020
Project Description
The Environmental Health & Safety Info Portal (aka FileMaker system, aka Waste, Rad, and Inspections Portal) relies upon an older version of FileMaker Pro on expiring servers. Since its creation, the system has been expanded considerably and offers opportunities to redesign it for more efficiency. New features are now available that will increase the usability, security, and sustainability of the system.
What is Changing
- NetID Login
- Users must use their own NetID to submit requests or run reports. They will not use their PI's login.
- General Design and Look
- The new EHS Info Portal will be accessible and easily used with many portable devices including tablets.
- Some screens and tasks will be a little different, but often with fewer steps and less re-entry of text. Results of small tests done so far have been positive. Additional pilot-testing is planned to ensure all MSU community users are considered. Click a few screen examples below.
The detailed list of requirements is available to EHS personnel and upon request.
Schedule
There are two phases to the Portal Upgrade Project.
Phase I
Migration of all current features, functions, and data to new servers and to new version FileMaker 19.
| Start | End | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 10/14/2020 | MSU Server set up, ready for testing | |
| 10/19/2020 | 11/23/2020 | Incidents, Invoices testing |
| 11/09/2020 | 11/13/2020 | Radiation Safety testing; Miscellaneous web request testing |
| 11/23/2020 | 12/02/2020 | Hazardous Waste, Incinerator Request testing |
| 12/02/2020 | 12/11/2020 | Assets/Inspections testing |
| 12/21/2020 | 01/08/2021 02/11/2021 |
Web Functionality/PI experience testing |
| 01/16/2021 | 01/25/2021 02/28/2021 |
Final Testing and Adjustments |
| 01/25/2021 | Authentication groups finalized, implemented | |
| 01/20/2021 | 01/26/2021 03/08/2021 |
Announcements and final roll-out preparations |
| 01/28/2021 | 02/01/2021 03/15/2021 |
Data Migration and Go Live |
While Phase I was originally envisioned to be a copy of the existing system on upgraded software and hardware, the contracted vendor has been making improvements in the design when efficiencies can be found.
Phase II
Enhancement of the system with additional requirements from EHS stakeholders including new tables, forms, reports, and other features.
| Start | End | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 04/01/2021 | 05/01/2021 | Review of remaining requirements and scheduling |
| 05/01/2021 | 07/31/2021 | Development, testing, implementation |
Project Team
- Marci Monroe - Project Lead, vendor & testing coordination, Phase II Developer -- monroem9@msu.edu
- Sean Donahoo - Hardware and Software Lead, requirements documentation -- donahoos@msu.edu
- Great Lakes Database - Phase I developer & Phase II consultant
- Environmental Health & Safety teams - Biosafety, Chemical Safety, Environmental Safety, Occupational Safety, Radiation Safety