Windchill System Upgrade Methodology
Introduction Introduction The intent of this technical paper is to provide an overview of Datafrond s methodology to update existing Windchill PLM systems to newer versions of Software. Background Like with any software upgrade one has to consider impacts to cost, system availability, user training, etc. Fortunately Datafrond s upgrade methodology provides the necessary strategy, approach, and the tools to conduct a successful upgrade. This methodology is comprehensive and proven across 10 large multi-site global Windchill installations. Windchill System Upgrade Methodology 2
Upgrade Methodology Windchill Training Pre- Implementation Planning Implementation Planning Proof of Concept Upgrade Upgrade Validation Upgrade Rehearsal Production Readiness Production Upgrade Post Production Upgrade Phase Activities Deliverables Pre-Implementation Planning Implementation Proof of Concept Upgrade Upgrade Validation Upgrade Rehearsals Understand customer environment Windchill Environment Audit (Revisions Lifecycles, etc) Identify Hardware and Software, and Disk space requirements, and environment strategy Generate firm quote and project schedule Install and configure Newer Windchill Release with client specific client customization and configuration Prepare checklist for the upgrade. Identify system backup requirements Conduct Proof of concept upgrade Take upgrade statistics measure total upgrade time Document upgrade steps and issues Conduct upgrade environment validation, execute system test plan (Include some production users if needed to validate future environment) Document and resolve issues Conduct multiple upgrades from current to newer Windchill release until confidence level is acceptable to the client Re-create failsafe environment on current Windchill Release Exercise backup and restore procedures for newer Windchill Release Tune production environment for performance and benchmark performance Wndchill Environment Audit Document Project Schedule and Estimates Statement of Work Upgrade Checklist (Windchill installation & configuration) with client specific configurations loaded Upgrade Checklist (Updated for POC Upgrade) Upgrade Metrics (Timings) Upgrade Test Plan(Updated for Upgrade) Upgrade Checklist (Updated for Upgrade) Upgrade Test Plan(Updated for Upgrade) Performance Test Plan Training Conduct New Windchill Release What s new training Windchill Training Production Readiness Production Migration Post Production Upgrade Define production cut over weekend schedule Review and validate upgrade checklist with customer to ensure production readiness Define pre migration communication checklist for CAD and non-cad users Define post migration communication check for all users Conduct production upgrade Implement failsafe environment for current Windchill Release Provide user support on issues related to upgrade Conduct system cleanup activities to free up disk space Implement automated daily hot backup procedures (Optional) Create clone of Production Environment as designated test environment (Optional) Upgrade Checklist (Upgraded for Production Upgrade) Production Windchill Environment Production Server Documentation Windchill Upgrade Methodology & Approach Windchill System Upgrade Methodology 3
Strategy & Approach Approach Calculated Informed Low Risk Customer Ownership Minimal Disruptions Strategy Datafrond conducts a Windchill Environment Audit to provide customer with a project approach, upgrade plan, and projected cost. Prior to the migration, Datafrond will provide the customer a report on the required hardware and operating system upgrades, and sizing information. DataFrond takes a low risk approach by conducting a proof of concept upgrade to ensure customer confidence with the upgrade process. Customer can take ownership for some aspects of the implementation such as: System Validation, Training, Load / Performance Testing, Setting up system backup procedures, etc. Datafrond can conduct all or most of the upgrade activities offsite and outside the normal working hours to ensure minimal disruptions to existing business Windchill System Upgrade Methodology 4
Upgrade Considerations Before Upgrade Assess current Hardware, Operating System and Disk space Upgrades to Hardware, Operating System and Disk space as recommended Migrate into scalable architectures Horizontal (Recommended)/ Vertical Document system changes and freeze changes to current environment Establish performance benchmarks for the current environment Windchill System Upgrade Methodology 5
Upgrade Considerations (Cont d) During Upgrade Consider the implementation of hot / cold backup processes for target environment Schedule downtime for Replication servers and define cut over schedules to minimize disruptions and avoid failures with content replication Create a failover environment as a backup to current Production system Involve existing users to validate the upgrade environment Special consideration for CAD users and loss of workspace data Update training materials and review changes to current process and practices to take advantage of newer features and enhanced capabilities Conduct Load Testing and performance benchmarks to set proper expectations Windchill System Upgrade Methodology 6
Upgrade Considerations (Cont d) Post Upgrade Ensure continuous User support to until target production environment is stabilized Performance Tune target environment until optimal performance is achieved Phase out older hardware to establish a cloned test / QA of the target environment Windchill System Upgrade Methodology 7
Typical Implementation Windchill System Upgrade Methodology 8
Data Upgrade Schedule Sample Migration Documentation Windchill System Upgrade Methodology 9
Products and Services Supporting Upgrade Versions Windchill Versions 6.2.X 9.X Windchill Foundation to PDMLink Pro/Intralink to Windchill PDMLink Windchill System Upgrade Methodology 10
Pricing and Terms Pricing Windchill System Upgrade *Contact DataFrond * Functionality as described AS-IS Support Services ** Contact DataFrond ** Travel expenses not included. Includes deployment on test environment, system validation, and production environments Warranty 2 weeks post upgrade support and service warranty Free Windchill System Upgrade Methodology 11
For further details contact info@datafrond.com To request for information, complete request for service at: http://www.datafrond.com Windchill System Upgrade Methodology 12