Sierra Systems provides upgrade and implementation services for OpenText solutions using their SMART Methodology. This includes defining goals, validating the business model, and implementing according to a plan. They discuss common challenges with upgrades like performance and compatibility issues. Their presentation provides best practices around people, process, and content for successful upgrades. A sample plan is given for upgrading from Livelink 9.7.1 to Content Server 10 which involves planning, deployment, testing, and transition over an 8 week period.

1. Three Steps To Maximize The Business Value
Of Your OpenText Investment
Upgrades and Implementation:
Sample Plan: Livelink 9.7.1 to Content Server 10

2. PRESENTATION OVERVIEW
} About Sierra Systems
} Upgrades and Implementation Challenges
} Approach and Methodology
} Upgrades and Implementation Best Practices
} Sample Plan: Livelink 9.7.1 to Content Server 10

3. Sierra Systems delivers peak performance to our clients by offering a full range of
systems integration services tailored to the unique needs of each industry
• Operates across North America with over 900 employees
• Founded and headquartered in Vancouver, Canada (1966)
• Management Consulting, Systems Integration and Application Management

4. Our AMS Services
• 30 years delivering market-leading AMS
solutions
• Over 100 clients deployed across a wide
range of industries
• 200+ AMS certified professionals
• Flexible delivery options
• Proven approach, best practices, tools
and methodologies
• Managed via a focused, enterprise wide
AMS Business Unit
SMART
Methodology™
Automated
Tools
Best
Practices
Certified
Training
Programs

5. Sierra’s OpenText Services
• Managed under Sierra AMS Business Unit, Center of Excellence based in Calgary, AB
• Focused on OpenText ECM Product Suite, with strong capabilities in supporting
Livelink and Content Server
• Provide a mixture of on-site and remote support
• Clients in Oil & Gas, Government, Energy and Utilities
Sierra AMS SMART MethodologyTM
Strategic
Resourcing
Core AMS
Co-Sourcing
Core AMS
Fully
Managed
Service
Core AMS
Shared Services
PeopleSoft OpenText Dynamics AX SharePoint

6. Upgrade and Implementation Challenges
• Livelink’s performance is not optimal
• The current version of Livelink is approaching End of Life (EOL)
• Lack the expertise to perform the upgrade
• Unsupported legacy application compatibility
in upgraded Livelink version (ie: Content Server)

7. 7
Our Approach and Methodology

8. Our Approach and Methodology
Define
Goals
Outcomes
Metrics
Validate
Business Model
Resource Plan
Skills Matrix
Technology
Infrastructure
Core Applications
Tools and Interfaces
Implement
Planning
Deployment
Transition

9. Benefits
• Enhanced automation and process efficiency
• Increased leveraging of knowledge assets
• Tighter control of content use and consistency
• Improved user engagement and experience
• Better tracking of usage through enhanced auditing

10. 10
Upgrades and Implementation Best Practices

11. Upgrades and Implementation Best Practices
Process
ContentPeople

12. People
Issues
• Disagreement on ownership
• Lack of understanding
• Lack of corporate adoption
• No in-house expertise
Recommendations
• Define roles and accountabilities
• Maintain training program
• Avoid “Big Bang” type changeover
• Promote in-house SME as functional experts
Process
ContentPeople

13. Process
Issues
• Inefficiencies in making business decisions
• Duplication of work effort
• Lack of communication across the organization
• Poorly defined metrics
Recommendations
• Active engagement within the organization
• Align resources with proper skillsets
• Distribution of shared knowledge assets
• Participation from corporate sponsors
Process
ContentPeople

14. Content
Issues
• Bad data
• Too much data
• Can’t find data
• Can’t share data
Recommendations
• Implement data “cleansing” process
• Acquire scalable storage solutions
• Improve metadata definitions
• Validate governance model
Process
ContentPeople

15. Sample Plan: LiveLink 9.7.1 to Content Server 10

16. Deployment
Monitoring & Control
Download OT +Third Party Software
Review Required Patches
Deployment/Testing
8 weeks
Planning
Validate Assumptions
Stakeholder
Acceptance
AMS Provisioning, Service Levels, Development, Reporting
Turnover
Transition to Production
OS Configuration Changes
Install/Configure Content Server
Create Generic Access groups
Training (if required)
Synchronize Users to LDAP Data
Review Modules
Review MIME Types
Acquire Logging Admin
Acquire Licenses & Keys
Create Work Area
Setup OS +DBMS
Create Test Data
Create Test Plans
Run Test Plans
Documentation Turnover
Operation Turnover
Service desk turnover
Sample Transition and Transformation Plan
Turnover
Complete
Transition
Complete

17. Sample Plan
• Validate assumptions regarding platforms, hardware, Content Server software, third party
software, integration with external components
• Determine integration with non-core modules
• Review MIME types in 9.7.1 environment
• Feasibility of acquiring Logging Administration Module
• Acquisition of required of licenses and license keys
• Creation of a work area (i.e. network share) for project-related software, scripts and
documentation
• Creation of VMWare environment
• Installation and configuration of operating systems
• Installation and configuration of database
Planning
Infrastructure

18. Sample Plan
• Download OpenText and third-party software
• Review the patches required by each non-core and third-party module.
• Perform any needed OS software installs or configuration changes
• Installation of Content Server 10, non-core modules, third-party modules and patches
• Configuration of Content Server 10
• Creation of generic access groups for business evaluation
• Synchronize users to LDAP data
• Creation of test data and test plans. Run test plan to verify core functionality
• Provide walk through of Content Server 10 functionality
• Deliver documentation on Content Server 10’s installation, configuration and recommendations
regarding ongoing maintenance
Deployment
Testing
Turnover

19. Webinar recording available at vimeo.com/sierrasystems
www.sierrasystems.com
contact@sierrasystems.com