Methodology
OfficeConverter is ConverterTechnology’s solution to file compatibility-related Office deployment hurdles. Knowledge transfer of methods and process that accompany OfficeConverter takes place through a variety of training programs have been built to serve both technical and non-technical audiences. Using OfficeConverter tools and methods, program managers can collect and organize information which delivers precise and immediately actionable decision support for migration planners. The quality of data about an enterprises’ file landscape, and information on the nature of file use and role in supporting business process can significantly affect the scope and logistics of a project. In turn, the project scope and logistics directly affect the risks, costs, timelines that the project entails. Much of the information OfficeConverter derives from file analysis is intended to be used for project scoping, in advance of automated scanning and converting files to make them compatible on the Office platform.
What OfficeConverter Does
OfficeConverter performs three essential tasks that will lead to a fast, efficient and well managed Office deployment and file migration:
- File Discovery
- Compatibility scans
- Bulk File Conversion and Code Repair
The Microsoft guidance focuses on issues and recommendations that relate to the infrastructure upgrade – the process of deploying the systems, networks, and software associated with a platform upgrade. ConverterTechnology focuses on planning and managing the movement and upgrade of Microsoft Office files that support the use of infrastructure upgrades. These activities integrate with Microsoft’s prescribed “best practice” for Business Desktop Deployment (BDD 2007) and can work with other methodologies used by enterprises and systems integrators to provide a framework and support for common phases of deployment methodology. In BDD parlance, these are: 1.) Core Application Packaging, 2.) Supplemental Application Packaging, and 3.) User State Migration.
The assurance of file compatibility and the migration process must be carefully managed to keep business critical applications running during and after the Microsoft Office upgrade. Microsoft’s BDD identifies potential issues that are important to a successful Office desktop deployments from an application perspective. OfficeConverter complements and extends that functionality by automating the discovery and repair of files which need to work in order for applications to run. Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), project references, file links and other file components may become dysfunctional as a result of the Microsoft Office upgrade and deployment teams must be proactive to understand the nature and number of factors affecting file compatibility. Equipped with this knowledge, the project team can develop a healthy plan to address the issues appropriately and with the right tools.
OfficeConverter provides the functionality to support the Microsoft Office file upgrade effort including these following modules:
- DiscoverIT reports on all file types existing on standalone or networked storage devices, and indicates Access version, replicated Access databases and those with Workgroup Security.
- ScanIT identifies VBA code, VBA project references, and file links-related compatibility issues.
- ConvertIT remediates the majority of VBA issues that are identified.
The following diagram illustrates the ConverterTechnology methodology:
