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December 30, 2004
2004-The Year of the User

The SKIES Team would like to thank all those individuals that have participated in providing us with valuable business expertise in order for us to move SKIES Version 3 enhancements into production. The Year of the User appropriately identifies the direction of where we want to go in providing you with an application that supports your business processes. The following is the list of enhancements that have been put into production during 2004:
· Ability to print list of referrals made to job orders, binocular search results and case notes
· The Employer summary of Job Orders defaults to most recent, Job referrals default to latest referral and the ability to sort those referrals.
· Being able to auto duplicate Job Seeker mailing address into street address fields and added fields to find a seeker including seeker’s city and middle initial.
· Displaying the phone and alternative/message numbers of Job Seekers on the Employer Job Match; Employer Job Orders, Make Referral, Match Seekers; and Job Seeker Binoculars.
· The defaulting of seeker’s SSN to the top of the Seeker Select screen
· Providing a clearer message stating customer’s choice of sharing data and being able to better select a provider through Provider Select screen


Additional changes to the SKIES application have taken place as well during this past year:
· We have laid the groundwork for Workforce Development Areas to run reports by contract and by allowing users to attach services and activity records in the Work Readiness and Employment Plan to contracts.
· The implementation of the SKIES to Unemployment Insurance Division’s GUIDE system interface which identifies customers that did not attend a mandated Claimant Placement Job Hunter workshop.
· The Claimant Placement Program’s Job Hunter Workshop Module One invitations are now available in Spanish.

And, we mustn't’t forget about upgrades to SKIES hardware and software or incident repair:
· Upgrading the SKIES database from Oracle 8i to 9i, which is the first stage of having redundancy in the system backup.
· Transitioning to the new J-initiator that allowed an upgrade to the application servers.
· Moving from Fortress 1 to Fortress 2 providing a more stable, secure and robust fortress for users outside the firewall.
· Moved 31 incidents into production, leaving approx. 16 incidents to be worked

2004 has been a productive year and we are looking forward to 2005 being just as productive. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!

November 24, 2004

This edition presents:
· The Claimant Placement Program’s Workshop Invitation Letter in Spanish
· SKIES Version 3 Enhancements Delivered in November
· Employer Review-Scope to be Decided

Readers who know individuals interested in receiving Forecast should contact Peggy Zimmerman at pzimmerman@esd.wa.gov to have them added to the distribution list.

The Claimant Placement Program’s Workshop Invitation letter in Spanish

Since implementation, staff have created more than 1400 invitations in Spanish inviting claimants to attend the mandated Claimant Placement Program’s Job Hunter Workshop Module One. Staff has had the ability to send the letter in either Spanish or English depending on which language the workshop will be conducted. This feature has been available since mid-September and is working well.


SKIES Version 3 Enhancements delivered in November

The SKIES team has moved 5 version 3 enhancements into production for the month of November. These features are part of the overall scope of the 51 approved version 3 enhancements. The total number of enhancements that have been placed into production, including the November changes is 20. The month of November has been an exciting month and we owe that to the hard work of the business experts in the field and their participation. Without understanding the users need, we would not have been able to do as much as we have. So, a word of thank you to all those that have participated and we look forward to working with other business experts to continue moving more enhancements into production in the future. The 5 enhancements moved into production for the month of November are:

· Job Matching Request #314-Displaying the phone and alternative/message numbers of Job Seeker on the Employer/Job Match; Employer/Job Orders/Make Referral/Match Seekers; and Binoculars (Job Seeker)
· Provider Select #413-Allows the user to search for a provider regardless of the Eligible Training Provider (ETP) status.
· Job Seeker Address #35-Provides users the ability to duplicate the mailing address into the street address data fields
· Print Seeker Case Note #49 (#363)-Provides users a method to print job seeker notes.
· Seeker Select Message #208-Notifies a users when a seeker record does not exist or when the seeker has chose not to share data


Employer Review-Scope to be decided

Information has been provided to the SKIES Change Control Board members for the last couple of months on exactly what does Employer Redesign mean. SKIES Business Analyst, Jon Tran has provided members with information from users on employer records, job orders and business services in general. We are now at a point where a decision needs to be made as to the direction and scope of employer information in SKIES and how it relates to the end user. Board members were provided with three grouping of the recommendation from the field. The Board will make a determination as to the changes that will be included in the employer redesign.
· Group A includes enhancements that directly impact the ability to locate and select an employer record, The majority of recommendations for changes was in the group.
· Group B adds data fields and displays information on the staff that provided updates to the employer records.
· Group C relates to business process only, and does not impact the ability to locate the initial employer record but requires intense effort to implement.

A meeting has been scheduled for the first part of December for a decision on how many enhancements will be included at this time. Once the decision has been made, SKIES staff will begin working on requirements related to the selected groups. This decision is an important one because there are version 3 enhancements that are contingent on the direction the employer review will take such as job matching. Jon Tran said, “I am looking forward to the decision from the Board so that requirements can be written”.

September 24, 2004

This edition presents:
· What’s Next for Version 3 Enhancements?
· Customer Letter to Attend Job Hunter Workshop Now Available in Spanish
· So What’s Going on with Training?
· SKIES Database Upgrade Completed

Readers who know individuals interested in receiving Forecast should contact Peggy Zimmerman at pzimmerman@esd.wa.gov to have them added to the distribution list.

What’s next for Version 3 Enhancements?

“We are currently testing Version 3 Enhancement #327a, 329, 209, and 430. This enhancement includes a field for the initial of the seeker’s middle name and fields to indicate the city of the seeker’s mailing and residential (street) address” states Rachel Johnston, Business Systems Support. “This enhancement also includes these additional fields to be displayed in the search results and relocating the Social Security Number select field to the forefront of the search criteria. We anticipate moving this enhancement into production around mid or late October” continued Johnston. This enhancement will provide users with more identifying information when searching for seekers that may have common first and last names through Seeker Select.

“The other Version 3 Enhancement that we are working on is the ability to print seeker case notes” states Johnston. “The business requirements have been approved by the business experts. Our next step is to complete the functional requirements and then development can begin” continued Johnston. For additional information go the SKIES Web site at www.wa.gov/esd/skies/

Customer letter to attend Job Hunter Workshop Now Available in Spanish

The SKIES team moved the Spanish version of the Claimant Placement Program’s Job Hunter Workshop Module One invitation letter into production on September 15, 2004. This letter was only available in English prior to its release this month. “We are really excited about getting the Spanish version of the letter into production” states Peggy Zimmerman, Business Systems Support. “We wanted the letter available in Spanish to support staff that conduct Job Hunter Workshops in Spanish” continues Zimmerman. “Moving this into production assists in the preparation for implementing an interface with Employment Security Department’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) GUIDE system and SKIES. This interface will now provide the UI Telecenter staff with information of those customers that did not attend the mandated workshop” states Zimmerman. This new interface is not scheduled to be implemented until October allowing WorkSource Center staff an opportunity to work with new Spanish invitation letter feature in SKIES.


So What’s Going on with Training?

“We have been coordinating with Employment Security Department’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) Division, WorkSource Operations Division and the three UI Telecenters for training on the new business process for customers that do not attend the mandated Job Hunter Workshop Module One” states Kris Moritz, SKIES State Trainer. “This has been a collaborative effort across several divisions so that training encompasses business process, SKIES functionality and UI adjudication” continues Moritz. “We will start training the last part of September and will continue until the middle of October” states Moritz.

The UI GUIDE Interface with SKIES identifying those customers that did not attend the mandated workshop is scheduled for implementation in October.


SKIES Database Upgrade Completed

“We upgraded the SKIES database from Oracle 8i to 9i on the evening of September 9th, 2004” states Bob Lencioni, SKIES System Architect. “We had a few issues arise from this upgrade where users had to have their password reset or some users could only log into the system and no further” continued Lencioni. “All the above issues were quickly resolved the day they were received. We continue to monitor the system for stabilization and do not anticipate any further problems” stated Lencioni.

This upgrade of the SKIES database is the first stage of having redundancy in the system backup. It creates the capacity to switch to the mirrored system if for some reason the primary SKIES system is unavailable.

August 27, 2004


This edition presents:

Another Version 3 Enhancement Available to Users
New J-Initiator and Fortress 2 Movement a Success!
Employer Data Review

Readers who know individuals interested in receiving Forecast should contact Peggy Zimmerman at pzimmerman@esd.wa.gov to have them added to the distribution list.

Another Version 3 Enhancement Available to Users

“We moved another Version 3 enhancement into production this week!” states Peggy Zimmerman, Business Systems Support. This enhancement allows users to print their binocular search results. The printing availability is applicable to results from binocular search for Provider, Employer, Job Order and Job Seeker. “We are truly excited about moving forward with enhancements that were identified by the user and look forward to implementing more in the near future” continues Zimmerman.

For additional information about the new enhancement check out the SKIES Web site at www.wa.gov/esd/skies/

New J-Initiator and Fortress 2 movement a success!

“Every SKIES user had to have the New J-initiator installed as of August 9, 2004,” states Bob Lencioni, SKIES Systems Architect. “We still have a few situations that we are working on, however overall, it was a smooth transition” “The collaboration and effort across divisions, agencies and partner staff was instrumental in making sure it was a success,” continues Lencioni.

Transitioning to the new J-initiator allowed an upgrade to the application servers and moving from Fortress 1 to Fortress 2 allowed a more stable, secure and robust fortress for users outside the firewall. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the SKIES Help Desk at (360) 438-4690 or 1-800-331-5660.

Employer Data Review

Business analysts (SKIES) and local Business Service Teams have met to discuss the employer data multiples in SKIES. The SKIES Change Control Board’s primary charge for these meetings is to discuss the multiple employer records and how to minimize the duplicity. Several options are being considered that address combining records and software rules regarding the creation of future employer records. Important factors that impact the design include the concern about local information already in SKIES and how to retain that information. “If you have more than one office serving the same employer but each office has created its own employer data record, how do you decide which local data field takes precedence over another when you combine the two or more records together? We understand the need, we must determine the solution that best fits everyone”, said Rachel Johnston, SKIES Business Manager. The meetings between business analysts and SKIES users who work with employer customers have greatly improved the understanding for database level designs. Whenever business processes can be succinctly explained, the software build will inevitably better suit the user. “SKIES business analysts have repeatedly expressed appreciation regarding the meeting participants for their time and the invaluable education,” concluded Johnston.

Special Edition
July 30, 2004 

Welcome to the July 30, 2004 Special Edition of Forecast - your electronic newsletter on SKIES (Services, Knowledge & Information Exchange System). SKIES is the information technology system developed to support case management, labor exchange, management information and performance measures for WorkSource Washington. 

This Special Edition presents:
· SKIES Version 3 Update

Readers who know individuals interested in receiving Forecast should contact Peggy Zimmerman at pzimmerman@esd.wa.gov to have them added to the distribution list. 

SKIES Version 3 Update
"We are moving forward with our next set of enhancements," states Rachel Johnston, Business Systems Support. "Enhancement #360-Print Binoculars Search Results is currently in final development". This enhancement is due to be released soon and will provide the user with the ability to print the results of the binocular search. Once #360 moves to the software testing phase, enhancements #327a and #329 will begin development. Enhancements #327a and #329 contain the additional search options for finding a job seeker using Seeker Select. The additional fields that will be available for staff to utilize through Seeker Select are the middle initial of the job seeker’s name, the city of the mailing address, and the city of the residential address. Concurrently, the first draft of business requirements are in development for the next two enhancements, #49 and #363-printing job seeker case notes. "The SKIES team continues its efforts with Version 3 and we look forward to moving them into production as soon as they are ready" states Johnston. For more information regarding SKIES go to the SKIES web site at www.wa.gov/esd/skies

June 25, 2004

This edition presents:
· Six Version 3 SKIES Enhancements Released
· Employment and Work Readiness Plan Update
· Centralized vs. Decentralized - Procedures for Adding SKIES Users
· Local Management Reports Update
· GO2WorkSource.com Enhancements Coming Next Spring

Readers who know individuals interested in receiving Forecast should contact Peggy Zimmerman at pzimmerman@esd.wa.gov to have them added to the distribution list.

Six Version 3 SKIES Enhancements Released
"The year of the user has begun" states Peggy Zimmerman, Business Systems Support. "Six Version 3 SKIES enhancements were released into production on June 18, 2004. We are so excited to implement these changes and we look forward to the release of more" continues Zimmerman. Users are now able to print a professional looking list of referrals to a job order and can easily sort the list of job orders for a selected employer. As the changes are introduced, training resources will be made available to training coordinators and local trainers as well as information through the SKIES web site. "Many of the Version 3 changes will allow us to implement them immediately. Others, which have dependencies within the system, will have to be released in larger chunks. We will continue to keep users informed as changes are made " states Zimmerman. For more information regarding these enhancements, go to the SKIES web site or call the SKIES Help Desk at (360) 438.4690.

Employment and Work Readiness Plan Update

"Development is complete and testing has begun for the changes to the Employment and Work Readiness Plans to collect "Contract" data" states Rachel Johnston, Business Systems Support. "These changes are to accommodate reporting by contract for WIA Participant Summary, Demographic and Office Activity Tracking reports" continues Johnston. So, What is new? Two new fields were added a "No Program Affiliation Check Box and a Contract Drop Down List". "We had to rearrange some fields a little bit to accommodate the extra features, so it will display a little differently" states Tiffany Ames, Business Systems Support. "If your area is utilizing the report by contract feature the "contract" field will be available for selection" continues Ames. "The Program Affiliation field is now required unless the "No Program Affiliation" check box is checked" states Ames. These changes will not be moved into production until later in the Month of July. We will make sure that users are informed prior to implementation.

Centralized vs. Decentralized - Procedures for Adding SKIES Users

Each Workforce Development Area (WDA) has the option of using either the “Centralized” or “Decentralized” approach to SKIES security for adding, changing, or inactivating SKIES user access. In WDAs that have chosen the Decentralized option, the designated WDA Security Administrator is responsible for any additions or changes to user access. In Centralized WDAs, “Access Approvers” are designated for each local office. Requests to add or deactivate SKIES users are submitted by the Access Approvers to Employment Security Department’s Production Control. The Access Approver or Security Administrator is required to assure that signed SKIES Non Disclosure statements are on file for each user, that the type of access granted (user profile) is justified and approved by the user’s supervisor, and that SKIES training has been completed. If you are not sure if your WDA is centralized or decentralized, or need to contact your Security Administrator or Access Approver, see <http://www.wa.gov/esd/skies/docs/wda_contacts.xls> or contact the SKIES Help Desk for assistance at (360) 438.4690.

Local Management Reports Update
This month, the data retrieval processes for the Job Seeker Employment Activity Report was validated. Also, the draft Business Requirements for both the Job Seeker Service Indicators and Job Order by Occupation reports was completed and is currently receiving feedback from business experts. There will be a teleconference for the Local Management Reports (LMR) group early in July to finalize these two reports. The functional and business requirements for the Youth Skills report are currently on a parallel track. July appears to be the month for the release of additional LMR reports as they are validated and tested. Watch the SKIES Forecast Newsletter for announcement of the forthcoming implementation of Local Management Reports.

Go2WorkSource.com Enhancement Coming Next Spring
The WorkSource Washington web site at Go2WorkSource.com <http://go2worksource.com/> will have a new look and many new features when Version 7 is released in the Spring of 2005. The new version will support advanced employer and seeker account management features, saved searches for jobs and résumés, multiple language translation for job orders and résumés, a new “Résumé Builder” tool, and much more. The “Pending List” application will also be improved with new features designed to increase efficiency for staff responsible for processing of on-line job referral requests. For more information about this project, look for the new Go2WorkSource.com Newsletter to be issued this summer, or contact Joe Racek at jracek@esd.wa.gov.

May 28, 2004
This edition presents:
· Version 3 Underway
· Local Management Reports Update
· SKIES Local Train-the-Trainer Training Scheduled
· SKIES Help Desk Tip

Readers who know individuals interested in receiving Forecast should contact Peggy Zimmerman at pzimmerman@esd.wa.gov to have them added to the distribution list.

Version 3 Underway
SKIES Version 3 is progressing right along. SKIES users got a sneak preview of the new Job Order screen on Monday, as the screen was mistakenly moved into Production without being fully tested. Rather than shut down production to replace the screen with the correct version, the screen was available for users for just Monday. Thank you to all the users who provided comments and feedback. We are hoping to move this screen into Production (on a permanent basis) soon.

Last month we reported the Business Requirements were finalized for two sets of enhancements (Print report for referrals to a job order, and Default sort for job order on Job Order/Summary tab). The Functional Requirements have now been finalized and development has begun. A portion of these enhancements actually made thier way to testing this week. A few bugs were identified and the enhancements were sent back to the developers for repair. From this point on, we’ll be in the system testing, bug fixing and re-testing phase. Once system testing is finalized we can coordinate when to move these enhancements into Production.

In addition, the Business Requirements for the third set of enhancements (Printing Binocular Search Results and Additional Search Items on Seeker Select) have been finalized as well and development has begun on the Functional Requirements. Once the Functional Requirements are complete, the enhancements are turned over to the development team.

For more information on SKIES Version 3, contact Rachel Johnston at rjjohnston@esd.wa.gov or (360) 438-4674.

Local Management Reports Update
Development of the Job Seeker Employment Activity Report is underway. This report shows counts by seeker demographics of job referrals, Go2 job referrals, referrals to jobs without job orders, hires, new hires and entered employments that resulted from those activities over a 9-month period of time. It is anticipated that the first round of testing will be sometime mid-June.

In addition, the first draft of the Job Seeker Services Indicators Report has been developed. Staff is working to iron out the definitions and data relationships. That document should be provided to the Local Management Report Experts for business review sometime within the first week of June.

The SKIES Website for Reports is updated and can be found on Local Management Reports at http://www.wa.gov/esd/skies/reports/default.htm. If you have questions, please contact Judy Barney at jbarney@esd.wa.gov or Elise McKnight at emcknight@esd.wa.gov.

SKIES Local Train-the-Trainer Training Scheduled
Do you know someone in your WDA who would like to accept the responsibility and has the time to be a SKIES trainer? Are you a trainer who is not certified in the new curriculum Train-the-Trainer training in SKIES functionality is scheduled in WorkSource Redmond July 20-23, 2004. If you are a good candidate, dedicated, have the time, and are interested in providing training, please contact your WDA Training Coordinator or call/e-mail Kris Moritz or Sarah C. Wilson.

“We would like to train trainers who are not certified in the new training,” states Moritz, state training coordinator. “The new curriculum is presented in a different manner, and there are so many changes in content of the curriculum, my goal is to train all trainers in the new curriculum.” The new curriculum is not required, but previously trained trainers are encouraged to attend the new training to sharpen training skills and share information.

State trainers Sarah C. Wilson and Kris Moritz provide tips and tricks during the training in addition to SKIES curriculum. Information on different learning and representation styles are discussed, how to keep trainees engaged, and open discussion is encouraged. “Kris and Sarah make a great training team as they talk about Version 2 and Version 3, navigate the screens, and allow for hands-on practice”, says Rachel Johnston, SKIES Business Manager. Trainees are encouraged to participate and demonstrate training styles. “Everyone comes away with something,” states Sarah. She added, “Kris and I learn from the trainees, too”.

Would you like to host a Train-the-Trainer training in your area? Call Kris Moritz or Sarah C. Wilson. For information about training or training related questions, contact Kris Moritz at (360) 438-4114 or e-mail kmoritz@esd.wa.gov or Sarah C. Wilson at (360 438-4006 or e-mail sawilson@esd.wa.gov.

Trainers, if you need training ID numbers, please call the HELP Desk at (360) 438-3274 or (360) 483-4690, or for non-ESD employees call (800) 331-5650.

April 30, 2004

This edition presents:
New MSFW Report
Case Notes in SKIES
Modifying Other Case Managers Data
Tracking Local Management Reports
SKIES Training Update
Version 3 Gets Started
SKIES Help Desk Tip
Readers who know individuals interested in receiving Forecast should contact Peggy Zimmerman at pzimmerman@esd.wa.gov to have them added to the distribution list.

New MSFW Report
There is a new MSFW Report available through the SKIES Reports menu, under Local Management Reports entitled the MSFW Demographic report. This report provides aggregate counts of MSFW clients as well as detailed lists of MSFW clients by office, office group, WDA, ESD Region and Statewide. Judy Barney, Business Analyst says, “The detail report provides a ‘snapshot’ picture of the clients who are flagged as an MSFW in SKIES. This allows outreach workers and other staff to work this report and determine if any one of those individuals should still be flagged as MSFW.” This is a working report to manage the data of the MSFW population in SKIES. If you have questions about this report, please contact either Judy Barney or Elise McKnight (<mailto:jbarney@esd.wa.gov> or emcknight@esd.wa.gov <mailto:emcknight@esd.wa.gov>)

Case Notes in SKIES
According to the State Monitoring Unit, if case notes are recorded in SKIES, the case notes need not be printed. State Monitors have access to SKIES and can observe the notes without requiring a hard copy. If an office is using a different system to record case notes, the State Monitoring Unit will require the case notes for those participants to be printed since they do not have access to other systems.

One of the Version 3 SKIES enhancements relates to a case manager’s ability to print case notes. To streamline this process, the requirements are looking at the ability to print all the notes at once without having to go into each screen.

Modifying Other Case Managers Data
“DON’T Forget! SKIES is a shared system because we share customers”, states Nancy Burkhart, Business Analyst. If there is an entry in SKIES by another case manager for a job seeker you have been working with, do not just change the information. Case managers have reported that other case managers deleted the services that they recorded, or changed dates, which shouldn’t happen.

One example is a case manager deleted all services for a job seeker and recorded other services. Then noted on the bottom of one of the services “Do not touch this is a Dislocated Worker”. Because of the deletion of the services the other program would not have gotten any credit working with the job seeker. There are no services affiliated to the other program. Many of our customers access a variety of programs, all the data related to the customer and those programs needs to stay in SKIES.

If you find an entry you didn’t make, you need to contact the other case manager to find out why the entry was recorded. Do not just change the information in SKIES without making that contact. Job Seekers maybe receiving services from more than one office and it is important for all case managers to be able to see those services.

Tracking Local Management Reports
You may now track the progress of local Management Reports as they are developed by accessing a website developed by Terry Westmark, Pacific Mountain, that shows the status of each requested report. This update is located at <http://www.pmwdc.com/skiesreportideas/>.

The first of the combined job seeker reports has been named the Job Seeker Employment Activity Report, and the business requirements are in the final approval stages. The next step is the actual programming, then testing prior to implementation. Announcement of the implementation date will be made before it is actually moved into the production environment. If you would like to review the Business Requirements and a mock-up of the report, it will soon be available on the SKIES Website. Judy Barney, Business Analyst says, “This report is a 9-month snapshot of job seekers by characteristics, referrals by referral type, and subsequent counts of hires and entered employments.” Barney continued, “This report is meant to replace the WSMI (WorkSource Management Indicators) as a local report to be used as an indicator on the referral and results of referrals by job seeker characteristics within an office, office group, ESD Region, WDA or statewide.” If you have questions about this report, please contact either Judy Barney or Elise McKnight (<mailto:jbarney@esd.wa.gov> or emcknight@esd.wa.gov <mailto:emcknight@esd.wa.gov>)

SKIES Training Update
State Trainers Kris Moritz and Sarah C. Wilson are pleased to announce the recently completed step-by-step Reception Users Guide. This guide is posted on the Skies website at <www.wa.gov/esd/skies > under Training Guides Overview. “Staff will find this guide easier to print and easier to maintain updates” states Kris Moritz, Business Systems Support. “Each section is broken into smaller sub-sections,” continued Moritz. The Staff User Guide and the Read Only Guide are also available on the SKIES website.

Additional train-the-trainer sessions are scheduled for July 12-16, and July 19-23. “My goal is to certify all trainers in the new curriculum,” states Kris Moritz, Business Systems Support. Locations are currently being determined and will be announced at a later date. If there are Training Coordinators interested in hosting either of the July sessions please send an e-mail to Kris Mortiz at Kmoritz@esd.wa.gov or Sarah C. Wilson at SaWilson@esd.wa.gov.

If you are a SKIES trainer and need student (STU) numbers, please continue to contact the SKIES website. This list can be found on the SKIES website in the directories section, under WDA Contact, training coordinator tab.

Version 3 Gets Started
Wow, can you believe it? SKIES had its second birthday this month and we are starting the next version of enhancements!” states Peggy Zimmerman, Business Systems Support. “We have had 4 successful teleconferences reviewing business requirements for eight enhancements with identified business experts “ continued Zimmerman.

Business experts have been identified for each of the Version 3 Recommended Enhancements and will serve as the approvers for vision and scope documentation. Once the vision and scope is approved, SKIES business staff will write the functional requirements that will support the identified business need. “Once the functional requirements are written, development can begin” states Jennifer Jaske, Business Systems Support. We are quite pleased with the feedback we received from the business experts and truly appreciate the time they are spending in reviewing the documentation” continued Jaske. “We currently have two frozen vision and scope documents that represent 6 recommended enhancements,” states Jaske. “We are working on the functional requirements so that we can begin development soon,” continued Jaske.

The business experts approved the following Version 3 Enhancements on April 9, 2004:
· Print report for referrals to a job order
· Default sort for job order on Job Order/Summary tab.

“I want to thank the business experts with their help in clarifying what is needed so we can provide a better system for users,” states Peggy Zimmerman. For more information regarding SKIES Version 3 contact Rachel Johnston at (3670) 438-4674 or <rjohnston@esd.wa.gov>.

SKIES Help Desk Tip
Skies users tell us they need just a quick screen-print of their SKIES screen to share a point with their supervisor or to actually put a copy of information in a paper file. We advise them to use the “Print Screen” option in the HELP menu in SKIES. This way, only the SKIES screen will show without all the other information from your computer desktop.

March 26, 2004

This edition presents:

• Montana Visits Washington State

• Iowa Visits Washington State

• SKIES Version 3 Teleconference with Business Experts

• “Read Only” Guides Now Available

• Certified Trainer List Available Soon

• Note to SKIES Trainers

• Tip of the Month

Readers who know individuals interested in receiving Forecast should contact Peggy Zimmerman at pzimmerman@esd.wa.gov to have them added to the distribution list.

Montana Visits Washington State
The State of Montana is coming to visit! Montana has taken the SKIES application and has been in the process of programming it to accommodate their state’s business needs. “We want to see how the application is being used in Washington State,” states Beverlee Frederick, Workforce Services Division, Montana Dept. of Labor and Industry. “We are currently working with our user groups and they are wanting to get a better idea of how the tool is working for your staff,” continued Beverlee Frederick.

“So, WorkSource Spokane has once again opened their doors,” states Peggy Zimmerman, Business Systems Support. “Frankie Artega has coordinated this effort with Montana to provide them a staff view of how the application is working. We want to thank WorkSource Spokane for extending a welcome and for assisting with Montana’s development effort” continued Zimmerman.

The State of Montana will wrap up their visit in Spokane by March 26th. They will take the information they have gathered back to Montana to apply what they have learned in Washington State.

Iowa Visits Washington State
On April 13, 2004, WorkSource, SKIES, and LMEA central office staff along with a local WorkSource Center will host a visit from the Iowa Workforce Development, Employment Security Department. The 10 visitors represent a team who is assessing labor exchange systems in multiple states to determine what type of system would be best for Iowa. The group is very impressed with Washington’s system of web based employer job listings, seeker self-service applications, the online application/referral system and it’s interface with SKIES. They would like to learn how labor market information is collected, maintained, and dispersed to the Workforce Explorer and Go2WorkSource.com web sites. The group will meet together for an overview of the WorkSource system then split off into interest groups visiting LMEA, SKIES, and IT central office staff. They will then visit a WorkSource Center to see how staff, seekers and employers use the integrated system, and what products and services WorkSource provides its customers.

SKIES Version 3 First Teleconference with Business Experts
The first SKIES Version 3 teleconference for review of business requirements was conducted this week. Business Experts, SKIES Technical Team reviewed the draft vision and scope documents for 4 approved recommended enhancements. “We are truly excited with the results of our first teleconference states Jennifer Jaske, Business Systems Support. “Our approach is to provide a common understanding of what business experts need within the application,” states Jaske.

As you know, SKIES Version 3 has approximately 52 recommended enhancements that were approved by the SKIES Change Control Board and WIA Executive Oversight Committee. The teleconference was the start of the development of version 3. Based on the conversation of yesterday, Business Requirements are being revised and will be sent out to the Business Experts for a final look, once approved, Functional requirements will be written to set the stage for technical specifications to be done and then programming will begin. For more information regarding Version 3 contact Rachel Johnston at rjohnston@esd.wa.gov.

“Read Only” Guides Now Available
State Trainers Kris Moritz and Sarah Wilson recently completed a step-by-step Read Only Users Guide. This guide is posted on the Skies website (www.wa.gov/esd/skies) under Training Guides Overview. “Eventually Guides for all profiles will be on the website and modified as changes occur,” states Kris Moritz, Business Systems Support. Trainers use the Guides when providing training and are then available for trainees when they have questions regarding the functionality of screens.

Additionally, the Staff User Guide, available on the website since November 2003, has been modified several times; however, most of those modifications are cosmetic. The most recent modification is listed at the bottom of each page in each section. To access the Guides, click on Training Guides Overview under Training on the left of the SKIES website screen. SKIES Users are encouraged to use the Guides and other links on the website for information. “When Users are unable to find an answer to a question about a screen or data field, please give us a call” offered Kris Moritz. For more information contact the SKIES Help Desk at (360) 438.3274 (option 2); (360) 438.4690; or for non-ESD Users call 1(800) 331-5650.

Certified Trainer List Available Soon
Soon to be on the Skies website is an enhancement to the WDA Contacts spreadsheet. They can be accessed by clicking on WDA Contacts under Directories. At the bottom of the spreadsheet are tabs,”WDA Contacts, Certified Trainers, Email Addresses, and Map”. Click on the Certified Trainers tab for a complete list of Certified Trainers by WDA.

Trainers certified in the new curriculum are identified with an asterisk. “We received several requests from Training Coordinators for a comprehensive listing of trainers throughout the state who are certified SKIES trainers,” said Kris Moritz, Business Systems Support. The list includes the trainer’s phone number. Moritz added, “If you are a certified trainer and not on the list, contact your WDA Training Coordinator to verify your status. The training coordinator may add you to the list by contacting the SKIES Help Desk.”

Note to SKIES Trainers
Do you need STU numbers? For quicker and more efficient service, please call the SKIES Help Desk at 360.438.3274 (option 2); 360.438.4690; or for non-ESD trainers, please call 1(800).331.5650. Please request numbers at least one week in advance. “We are trying this method to better serve the trainers. At times, we are not in the office and the message about needing numbers is not received. When the request is made to the Help Desk, there will always be a ‘live’ body to record the request and assign numbers,” said Kris Moritz, State Training Coordinator. Moritz added, “When you request numbers, you should receive a reply within 24 hours.” To verify the numbers assignment, click on Training Schedule under Directories on the left of the SKIES website –or- at the top of the SKIES website click on Training, and then click on Training Schedule. The schedule is updated every Friday afternoon.

Help Desk Tip about SKIES and Passwords
In SKIES, each user periodically receives a warning that his or her password will expire within a number of days. Users who receive this message must change their passwords before they are denied access to SKIES. “We have been experiencing quite a few phone calls at the SKIES Help Desk about passwords,” says Kay Kaliman of SKIES System Administration. ‘We’re encouraging everyone to change their passwords as soon as they get a warning. This is an important part of keeping the system secure.”

To change your password, go to the SKIES Staff Functions Menu option and click on ‘Change Password.’ Follow the instruction shown. The system will then state “Password Successfully Changed.” Click “OK” and Exit through the door icon. If you have questions or you cannot log into the system, contact the SKIES Help Desk at 360.438.4690.

February 27, 2004

This edition presents:
· SKIES Change Control Board Recommendations Approved
· Status Update On Local Management Reports (LMR)
· What is a Business Expert?
· SKIES Change Control Board Documents Now on the Web
· Tip Of The Month

Readers who know individuals interested in receiving Forecast should contact Peggy Zimmerman at pzimmerman@esd.wa.gov to have them added to the distribution list.

SKIES Change Control Board Recommendations Approved
On February 3, 2004 Peggy Zimmerman, Rachel Johnston, and Bob Lencioni presented the recommendations of the SKIES Change Control Board to the WIA Executive Oversight Committee (WOEC) for Version 3 of SKIES. After discussion on the cost and the time expected for the Version 3 changes, the Committee unanimously supported the recommendations.

Version 3 will be developed using the current level staff (no new staff or contractors) and the time frame is expected to span from one and a half to two years for full implementation of all the changes. As the changes are made and tested they will be introduced into production rather than waiting for all changes to be complete and introduced at once. This incremental approach will work for many of the changes but not for all. It is anticipated that the more difficult changes will result in a large number being introduced at one time.

Business requirements are now being developed (see related story on “business experts”) and once completed will serve as the map for the technical staff to begin coding. “This is so exciting! I think we will be able to make some changes that will really help people as they work with customers!” said Rachel Johnston, SKIES Business Manager. The involvement of the field in the development of the business requirements will ensure that the business needs are met.

Status Update On Local Management Reports (LMR)
The original Local Management Reports (LMR) prioritization had five reports listed as the most important. After review of those five, it became apparent that a consolidation was possible. An additional set of report requests have evolved and a group has been assigned to manage those reports. The first Job Seeker report is heading into the development stage as soon as business approval is received. It is anticipated that that first Job Seeker Report will be available within the next 3 months if not sooner. In the interim, SKIES Business Systems Support staff is reviewing all of the reports to consolidate where possible. To date, 3 job seeker reports have been combined into one report; 4 MSFW reports have been combined into one report that fits all programs not just MSFW, and, Employer/Job Order report needs are being reviewed at this time. The goal is to have all of the currently identified reports completed by the end of 2004.

What is a Business Expert?
The Version 3 Recommendations have been given the green light! So what is all this talk about using a Business Expert for Version 3 Enhancements? What is a Business Expert? A Business Expert is a user of SKIES. They have knowledge of program policies and local business processes and how those policies are applied within their respective offices.

"The SKIES Change Control Board Members have identified some direct users of SKIES to participate as a Business Expert" states Rachel Johnston, Business Systems Support. "We are really excited about the involvement of users in the development of version 3 and value user participation" added Johnston. These Business Experts will provide user perspective on the recommended features to accurately document the business need. "The information that the Business Experts provide will be documented in the Business Requirements. From that, the Functional Requirements will be written," states Johnston. "Business Requirements serve as a communication document between Business Experts, SKIES Business Analysts and SKIES Change Control Board. Functional Requirements serve as the communication piece with our developers. They provide a common understanding of what users need so that Version 3 will accurately meet business need " replied Johnston. Business Experts will participate in a variety of ways; teleconferences, e-mail, and face-to-face meetings depending on the requirements being addressed. If you need additional information contact Rachel Johnston at rjohnston@esd.wa.gov. or your local Change Control Board member.

SKIES Change Control Board Documents Now on the Web
Due to the increased demand of users wanting to know what is happening with Version 3, we have provided the SKIES Change Control Board Minutes, Charter, Member Roster and meeting materials on the SKIES web site. "We are utilizing the web as an effective communication tool for users that are interested with the SKIES Change Control Board meetings," states Peggy Zimmerman, Business Systems Support. "We know that our members do an outstanding job of communicating within their areas and this will just provide another venue of information," added Zimmerman.

Check it out! The link to SKIES web site is http://www.wa.gov/esd/skies. The information is located under Change Control Board. If you have any questions contact Rachel Johnston at rjohnston@esd.wa.gov

Tip Of The Month
When finished with a set of tabs in SKIES, exit through the (Exit this Form) door before going to another screen. Each edited tab should be saved before going to the next tab. This will release computer memory for efficiency; otherwise, your computer may slow down to a crawl.

January 30, 2004

This edition presents:
Version 3 Update
Changes, Changes, Changes!
SKIES Train the Trainer Wraps Up
CITRIX Implemented in 9 Sites
SKIES Help Desk Tip

Readers who know individuals interested in receiving Forecast should contact Peggy Zimmerman at pzimmerman@esd.wa.gov to have them added to the distribution list.

V3 Update
The WIA Executive Oversight Committee will be meeting on February 3rd. One of the agenda items will be the review of the SKIES Change Control Board recommendations for Version 3. At that meeting, they will determine how the final approval for the recommendations will be made. In the meanwhile, SKIES Business Analysts are working on design issues for other priorities that are MUST Dos for SKIES. One of these issues is the employer database and the need to redesign the structure and the management to ensure duplicates are eliminated.

Changes, Changes, Changes!
Jeanette Nelson has accepted a promotion in WorkSource Lewis County. She has been with the SKIES project and the Business Systems Support unit for 3 years. We will all miss her very much but wish her the very best of luck in her new position. At this time, we do not have a replacement for her responsibilities but expect to have someone on board within a couple of weeks. In the meanwhile, if you have people to be added to the distribution list please contact Peggy Zimmerman at pzimmerman@esd.wa.gov <mailto:pzimmerman@esd.wa.gov>

Citrix Implemented in 9 sites
Nine of the ten identified sites have had a visit from the SKIES Citrix team where installation of the new client server has been installed. "Our goal was to have Citrix installed in all identified sites by the end of January" states Rachel Johnston, Business Systems Support. "Unfortunately, we didn't meet our goal" states Johnston. Installation at the last site will take place the first week in February.

"The data that we are collecting for those individuals that have Citrix installed indicates that many users are just not using it" states Johnston. "The data could mean a number of things." "Users who were originally identified may not be the people who use SKIES, or the time of day when monitored users weren’t in the system, or users are just not accessing SKIES" replied Johnston. Data is currently being gathered to determine usage of Citrix and whether or not we can add additional users. "We have already additional staff who are requesting the Citrix however, we cannot proceed until we look at usage" "We don’t have enough licenses for all users and will need to set priorities”, said Johnston.

Once all sites have installed Citrix the team will monitor usage and report results to the management team. For more information contact Rachel Johnston at rjohnston@esd.wa.gov

SKIES Train the Trainer Wraps Up
The last scheduled train-the-trainer for SKIES is February 2nd through February 5th at WorkSource Columbia Basin in Kennewick. Team trainers Kris Moritz and Sarah C. Wilson have trained about 50 SKIES trainers from Employment Security and partners. The trainers are pleased with the refresher course on SKIES functionality and are excited with the new curriculum stating, "It is a thorough introduction to all of SKIES. It is helpful to go over everything and get a better idea of how it all fits together." "I lacked the full picture of what SKIES offers. I now have a better understanding and appreciation of SKIES and navigating between screens is so much easier."

The curriculum for the training includes an overview of the new User Guide, in-class hands-on exercises, and information on providing quality training. One trainer stated, "I think the classroom setting and hands-on exercises helped everyone feel comfortable. When you're comfortable, you can ask questions. And, the questions were answered thoroughly because Kris and Sarah are very well informed, are patient and not critical."

For more information about SKIES train-the-trainer training, contact Kris Moritz, State SKIES Training Coordinator, at 360.438.4114 or send an e-mail to kmoritz@esd.wa.gov <mailto:kmoritz@esd.wa.gov>.

Help Desk Tip of the Week
The SKIES application utilizes Acrobat Reader version 5.0 as intervening software to assist in viewing reports on-line. Optimal response time on this process depends on many things. We do know that if you are requesting a large amount of data, it does take time to load in to your computer and display. If your first response is a white screen, give it some time to load the data before you determine it to be an error. Computers do help us process data faster, but patience is still a virtue with some features.