SmartPlant Foundation Upgrade
Data Migration and Transformation
Summary
Under this service, TecSurge offers a solution for upgrading SmartPlant Foundation environments to more recent versions of the software.
The upgrade is comprehensive, including all standard features of the application as well as customer specific enhancements and custom integrations.
Differentiators
- Reliable and cost-effective service delivery.
- High quality delivery with minimal overall downtime.
- Flexibility and scalability to meet different scenarios.
- Familiarity with all aspects of the software, including customisations
Challenges
Upgrading a SmartPlant Foundation environment requires multiple complex steps to be followed in a strict sequence. In some cases, complex environments require manual steps to be performed in the correct sequence alongside the automated parts of the upgrade process.
The specific starting and target software versions determine the initial complexity of the upgrade process, with “larger gaps” requiring proportionally more effort and time.
Custom enhancements or integrations also have a significant impact on the complexity of upgrade projects. In some cases, such customisations can be simply recompiled against the new software, but others may require modification, reimplementation, or even replacement due to obsolescence.
Comprehensive unit, functional and acceptance testing is key to ensuring a successful upgrade project outcome.
Deliverables
The primary technical deliverable from this service is an upgraded SmartPlant Foundation environment database backup, which can be restored into the customer landscape. Additional technical deliverables include upgraded customised components, and configuration files such as Excel templates and other XML files.
Secondary deliverables include project management artefacts, and other supporting documentation such as test scripts and deployment guides.
Work Process
This service may be performed remotely, in cases where the customer environment can be backed up and delivered, or on-site.
In either case, the work process consists of the following general steps:
- Upgrade preparation
- Checking the load queues and schedulers
- Checking the configuration management file
- Performing backups
- Exporting site server configuration
- Installation of new software
- Technical upgrade of SmartPlant Foundation configuration and data
- Upgrade of custom components
- Unit and functional testing
- Restoration in customer environment and acceptance testing
- Delivery of upgrade reports
- Handover other deliverables including custom software and configuration files.
Quality Assurance
TecSurge performs unit and functional tests across the full functional scope of the source SPF environment configuration. This testing is performed per test scripts which are tailored to match the customer’s specific circumstances, with results recorded, and any failures rectified before delivery.
Acceptance test scripts can be provided to the customer for acceptance testing, or performed on behalf of the customer by TecSurge, with testing reports handed over prior to final acceptance.
Getting Started
To estimate the schedule and cost for this service, we typically request the following preliminary information:
What is the current SPF version including the hot fixes and the target SPF version?
Why: This information determines the primary complexity of the upgrade and is used to estimate the project duration and cost.
Which database platform is in use?
Why: TecSurge will provision the identical database platform as the end customer to guarantee compatibility and simplify handover.
What are the current customizations/major functionalities (workflows) implemented?
Why: This information may also have a major impact upon the complexity of any upgrade, and understanding customer specific work processes ensures these same processes are fully tested.
Can SPF environment backups be provided?
Why: Where the environment backup can be provided, TecSurge can execute the work remotely, prior to on-site customer acceptance and handover, helping to minimise overall project costs and time.
What is the schedule?
Why: Schedule constraints can have an impact upon project costs and project resourcing flexibility.
If this service describes your situation, and you’re able to provide the requested information listed above, please contact us today for a quotation. Let’s talk.