1. UK Link Technology Refresh
Chris Fears
Infrastructure Project Manager
April 2007

2. UK Link Background
UK Link applications running since 1996, last Technology Refresh completed 2001
UK Link Risk Assessment Carried out in December 2004
UK Link lifespan indicated as 2008
UK Link ownership transferred to xoserve May 2005
UK Link performance deterioration identified 3rd Quarter 2005
3 Month UK Link Technology Feasibility Review sanctioned December 2005
Review recommended upgrade to hardware, database version & application toolset

3. Scope
Technology Refresh is an upgrade of the technical components that make up Sites and Meters and Invoicing systems
Technology refresh is essential to
Enable continued delivery of a reliable and robust set of UK Link systems
Allow xoserve to continue to provide services on behalf of Networks
Extend UK Link system lifetime for a further 4-6 years
The Technology Refresh IS NOT an application re-write
No functionality changes to be implemented alongside upgrade

4. Progress since last update
Evaluation of the project implementation date has prompted a change to 23rd February 2008
De-risks any potential impact of the AQ 2007 process (as a result of concerns raised from the AQ 2006 processes)
Moves the first invoices produced outside the shortened month of December (with its reduced days for validation)
Avoids Christmas as a time requiring large inputs to the programme implementation
Aligns with the billing cycle in February
Proof of concept under way and due to complete May 2007

5. Proof of Concept
The proposed software and hardware stack is now operational on a single server stack
The application migration mechanism has been confirmed
Trial data migrations are reaching completion
Next phase is the testing of selected key business processes
Expected to conclude in May

6. Shipper Impact & Testing
Goal is to minimise any Shipper impact
No intention to change interface mechanisms or formats
Further analysis since last update has not provided anything to the contrary
Test arrangements
Suggestion is that we would only expect to check file routing (as formats unchanged)
Voluntary approach to participation
Expected to take place some time between November 2007 and January 2008
Will contact Shippers in July to start the more detailed test planning

7. Cutover Final cutover starts 22nd/23rd February 2008
Talking to relevant parties about the billing cycles for February 2008
Cutover mechanism and approach
Minimising impact is the key consideration
Not yet finalised, but starting to come together
Expect the POC work to be key input to this decision
Data cutover
Likely to start 3 weeks in advance of main cutover, then will require “delta” data updates
This will have no effect upon the operational service
But an outage “will” be required to synchronise the final data migration

8. Cutover
Outages
Not clear at this stage what the extent of the outage (or outages) will be and if we will need to request/designate additional non-business days
Expect to come back to the August UKLC to discuss with more clarity
Cutover planning will need to have detailed contingency and fall back plans to deal with a variety of failure/non-completion scenarios
Existing systems are not being decommissioned until full cutover approved

9. Issues for consideration
Dataloggers
11am daily deadline adds risk and complexity to cutover
Will look to investigate alternatives for delivery
Is suspension for duration of cutover an option ?
Code-freeze for implementation of additional UK Link changes from November ’07
It is likely there will be no February 2008 release in light of the revised timescales

10. Next Steps Conclusion of Proof of Concept Evaluation of outcome of POC
Incorporate any required changes to approach etc.
Coding of the application upgrades to commence May 2007
Confirm testing requirements
Continue the cutover and implementation planning