M-Connect John Pinder

Agenda Problems? Future development SQL server Oracle Web based Data dictionary Central repository

Problems Speed Robustness Maintenance

Problem Causes - Speed Source system data structure ^M("BARNES","FLORENCE","K", ) Due to NHAIS user factors Surname Forename Middle Names NHS Number

Problem Causes - Speed Server workload Other applications -SQL Server -Oracle -Exchange Server

Problem Causes - Speed Network traffic Applications competing for network resource Ophthalmic NHAIS ICM PCIS Open Exeter

Orphaned licence processes Caused by cancelling queries in front end Licence record remains Limits amount of active connections available Problem Causes - Robustness

Upgrade process Currently hard coded location Dependant on floppy drive Problem Causes - Maintenance

Manual startup of M-Connect Required on Cache reboot Starts SQL0TCP process SQL0TCP process not present – M-Connect wont work

Re-development - SQL Server Fast Open Robust Scalability

Re-development - Oracle Fast Open Robust Scalability

Current system - Cache Fast Open Robust Scalability

System Redevelopment SQL Server, Oracle and Cache all DBMS All have similar functionality Data structure problems remain Server resource issues remain Network resource issues remain New upgrade issues

Problem Resolution - Speed Indexes e.g. R_PERSON_INDEX_NHS_NUMBER Used to link on NHS_NUMBER Provides all 4 fields Allows direct retrieval of records Other indexes for GP, Postcode, Date of Birth Local tables Using copies of data held locally Run “harvest” queries overnight

Problem Resolution - Robustness Orphaned licence records New routine Regular execution Automatic clear down

Problem Resolution - Maintenance New upgrade routine Prompt for upgrade file location Enables files to be copied anywhere New startup routine Runs on Cache reboot Automatic startup SQL0TCP

Data Dictionary Currently Microsoft Access database Requires update on each client PC Migrate to single data dictionary One copy of data dictionary to update Ensure all users viewing latest version Located where all users can view Web page

Central Repository Not widely used Needs promotion Regular submissions required

Conclusions Redevelopment offers no improvement User awareness and education New upgrade routine New startup routine New licence cleardown routine Data dictionary improvement