Overview
This article describes the schedule for installing, testing and approving software updates to Colleague. This also includes the schedule for production maintenance windows related to these updates.
Audience
Public
Information
Approved by IT Governance Committee on Nov 8, 2022
Maintenance window timing - For each release, there will be downtime from 6:30 am until 8:30 am on the date listed in the "Install: PRODUCTION " column. This will impact SPIRIT Online, Colleague Self-Service, Colleague UI, Informer and certain functions of the Saint Peter's U mobile app.
| |
Install: TEST_PATCHES |
Testing sign-offs due |
Install: PRODUCTION |
| Q1 2023 RELEASE |
Mon Feb, 27th 2023 |
Mon Mar 13, 2023 |
Wed Mar 15, 2023 |
| Q2 2023 RELEASE |
Tue May 30, 2023 |
Mon Jun 12, 2023 |
Wed Jun 14, 2023 |
| Q3 2023 RELEASE |
Mon Oct 2, 2023 |
Mon Oct 16, 2023 |
Wed Oct 18, 2023 |
| Q4 2023 RELEASE |
Mon Dec 18, 2023 |
Tue Jan 2, 2024 |
Wed Jan 3, 2024 |
Sign-off responsibility by functional area
NOTE: All functional areas are responsible for reviewing software updates marked as “CORE” and testing them if needed.
| Colleague Functional Area |
Responsible Sign-off Person |
| 1 – Registration and Student Records |
Kamla Singh |
| 2 – Financial Aid |
Jennifer Ragsdale |
| 3 – Admissions |
Jennifer Stern |
| 4 – A/R and Cash Receipts |
Lilian Pereira |
| 5 – Financials |
Brian Colvin |
| 6 – Human Resources |
Phillip Espinosa |
| 7 – Payroll |
Liz Long |
| 8 – Residence Life |
Chrise Ambrose |
NOTES:
- The software update (SU) load into the TEST_PATCHES environment will occur on a scheduled day during business hours.
- Any and all SU’s available on the day scheduled for “Install: TEST_PATCHES” will be included. (In the past we have required that SU’s must be at least 30 days old before they are eligible to be installed in test, but that is no longer the case.)
- Each functional area is expected to develop and maintain a written “ERP software update testing plan” which identifies the business processes that are to be tested when software updates are applied, the steps required to perform the tests and the expected outcomes. Upon request, the IT team is available to assist each office in developing, updating and executing its testing plan.
- For each testing period, IT will publish consolidated release notes for the updates included. IT staff will be available in cases where release notes are unclear or if the functional area needs help understanding how to release impact their testing plans.
- User testing of software updates is done only in the TEST_PATCHES environment, which is built exclusively for this purpose
- Refreshes of the TEST_PATCHES environment will be done quarterly in conjunction with the SU load to maximize validity of testing
- Software update load into the PRODUCTION environment will occur on scheduled day before 8:30 am.
- Windows Operating System updates will be loaded monthly, first Friday of the month.
- Software updates released for regulatory purposes or for urgent business needs can always be installed off schedule upon request of the Director of the affected department