Using Java WorkFlows Offline Mode

Transcription

1 When to use Offline Mode Using Java WorkFlows Offline Mode You will know that the network has gone down if you get this error message; Close the client by double clicking on Yes. You will need to restart JWF in the usual way. This will bring up the configuration screen (if it does not, please see the Preparing to Use Java WorkFlows in Offline Mode document). You will need to put a check mark in the Operate in Offline mode box by left clicking in the box. Note that this greys out the Host information and Workstation boxes. 1 11/26/05

2 Left click on OK, and wait for JWF to load. It will come up in the same state as it was closed in. That is to say, if you were in the circulation tab when you closed it, it will come up in the circulation tab. Should you attempt to charge items out here, you'll see this error message; Moving to the Offline tab will avoid this. 2 11/26/05

3 Left click on the Offline tab. This will bring up the offline wizards. Offline Session resets the properties, such as default due date, for the other wizards. It will come up automatically the first time you try to use the other wizards if you don't bring it up first. Please leave the Review Settings Each Session check mark checked. Otherwise, you could end up with a default due date in the past. User access should be STANDALONE. This will make it possible to track in the logs which transactions came in through offline mode (and allow us to track any problems with the offline mode itself). Library should be your library. 3 11/26/05

4 The current date comes from your computer's current date, as does the time. The default due date holds over from the previous offline session. You will be able to change this for each transaction, but you probably will wish to set this to default to 3 weeks from the current date. Please do not change the Log directory. If you do, transactions will not be uploaded, since JWF will not be able to find its log file. When you get everything set properly, left click on the OK box at the bottom centre of the screen. This button can be difficult to see, especially if one is rushing. 4 11/26/05

5 Functions within Offline Mode In theory, one can charge, discharge and renew items, as well as create new patron records while in offline mode. There are good reasons why libraries may decide to not use all of these functions. Checkout This is the most common use of a circulation backup program. It looks much like online JWF, but with no helpers. There are a few quirks with due dates. Although it is labeled 'Alt. due date', there is nothing alternative about it. This is the due date that will be used. If you close out of this wizard then go back in, the due date will be the default due date again. If you change the due date, it will remain changed until you change it again, or exit the wizard. This is persistent between users. So, if you change the due date to one week, it will still be one week when you start the 5 11/26/05

6 next patron, unless you have closed out of checkout. Please keep an eye on due dates when working in offline mode! Discharge/Checkin Some libraries may choose not to use this wizard, because holds cannot be trapped while in offline mode. However, items with holds that are discharged in offline mode will be caught in the next pull holds report after the transactions have been put into the system. Generally, if you only discharge items over a year old, or items you know don't have many holds on them, you should be ok. Note that you must set the date of discharge. This means that you can backdate bookdrops in offline mode. It also means it is easy to discharge items using the wrong date. Please double check your discharge dates while in offline mode. 6 11/26/05

7 Renew Single Item This permits the renewal of one item, no patron ID necessary. This can create problems if the item is over the renew limit or on hold. Fewer error messages will be generated when we load the transactions into the system if you discharge items, then charge them out to the patron. We recommend avoiding this wizard while in offline mode, if possible. 7 11/26/05

8 Renew Reserve We do not use reserves. It is a feature for academic libraries. Please do not use this wizard at all. 8 11/26/05

9 New User Registration Libraries may choose not to use this, due to the risk of ending up with more than one card per patron in the system. If you do choose to use this wizard, it might be wise to do a partial patron registration (name, user ID, library and profile) and complete the registration when the system is up, when duplicate checking can be done. This wizard looks much like the online JWF modify patron wizard. Help The help files work while in offline mode. Note that they may be misleading at times, since we do not use some of the features offered, such as downloading the entire patron database every day to every workstation. SLC staff are always happy to answer your questions. 9 11/26/05

10 How to Tell if the System is Up The best way to check to see if the system is up is to try to reach ibistro at If you can get into ibistro, the system is up. It is a good idea to check every 5-10 minutes, unless you've been notified by SLC staff that the downtime is absolutely going to be long. Returning to Normal In order to get back into online mode, it is necessary to exit JWF. This is done in the usual way (File, Exit or Alt-F4). You can then restart JWF. Be sure to uncheck the offline mode box, and to use the correct icon to start JWF (see the Installing the Java WorkFlows Backup Utility instructions). Uploading Transactions This now happens automatically when you start JWF in online mode. Calling the computer room or ing slcstaff@libcoop.net to let us know you've uploaded transactions is still a good idea, however. Error Reports SLC staff will out error reports to system managers after we load your transactions. If you let us know you've used offline JWF, we'll be able to load your transactions more quickly. Should you have difficulty deciphering your error reports (and they do stretch the definition of 'human readable'), we will be happy to assist /26/05