4-03IRisUpdateVersion3-0

IRis Update to Version 3.0

Starting on May 9 and continuing through the 12th and 13th, the department is scheduled to move to Windows 2000. As part of this upgrade, we are moving to the new, improved version of IRis- "IRis 3.0". IRis 3.0 is fully compatible with Windows 2000 and has some new features and a new look. The Community Resource Center has held some training sessions, and can offer additional sessions to Social Service staff who have not yet attended. Please contact Ellen Forman.

New user features include:

"hotlinks"- you can click on a program's website address or e-mail address and Internet Explorer will open and go directly to the site

Ability to e-mail search results

"Get Map" button- familiar to IRis for the Web users, this button links to Yahoo Maps and automatically shows a map of the location of the pertinent program

Multiple keyword searches- can search more than one keyword at a time and ask for results that match at least one of the keywords OR match all the keywords.

There are also a number of features that will increase efficiency of the behind the scenes work done by Community Resource Center staff and the security of our data.

New data-entry features include ability to:

add multiple keywords to a program at one time

e-mail update requests to the programs listed in the database

customize security-levels; decide who will have access to specific features

MGH Information Services has designed an installation package that will be added to the Windows 2000 upgrade. When your computer is updated you will also move to IRis 3.0 automatically. We should no longer have to install IRis individually on each computer (and repeat the process whenever anyone gets a new computer). IRis will still be under Start button/Partners Applications/IRis, but you'll just see the new icon.

Currently we will continue to maintain IRis for the Web for staff access on the patient care floors.

The CRC has designed a brief reference manual for IRis 3.0 that is being distributed at the training sessions. Contact Ellen if you would like a copy or for more information.

04/03