RE: Looking For Feedback On An Application Called Websphere (form erly Holosofx)

["Philbrook, Susann" <Susann_Philbrook -at- Cable -dot- Comcast -dot- com>]

I believe that you'll find that the Business Integration Monitor is part of
the bundled Websphere solution along with the some other products. The
server piece operates on its own database (either MS SQL Server, IBM DB2, or
Oracle 8i).

OK, I didn't want to get all granular on the subject, but the company has
already purchased the entire bundled solution. Now the issue is what will
this product be used for. And, as I said, there are some people here who
want to use it in place of Word/Visio to create procedures. 

We have been building a loosely-based ISO-type documentation system for the
last year. Adopting this application as the way in which we are going to
document the procedures means that we will also have to recreate the
existing approved procedures into this new format. The results will be a
highly graphical presentation based on a horizontal flowchart containing
embedded flowcharts covering lower-level activities. You cannot change the
way the flowchart is produced (the way you would like to layout the
flowchart) and when printed, it just goes on for pages. As far as generating
related text, the only feature available creates a report. The report is
based on extracting text embedded under a hidden comment box with each
symbol within the flowchart and compiling a run-on table containing the
text. The text generation is performed in a standard, non-customizable way.

Question: Is this be a better method to convey a procedure to the reader? 

I'm sure the application has some great uses, but as far as I can tell, I do
not find it to be a better solution for creating documentation.

That's why I am looking for opinions from the documentation community as to
whether Websphere/Holosofx makes sense in building the documentation to
support a Quality Management System.

Susann Philbrook
DCS at Comcast

-----Original Message-----
From: Dick Margulis [mailto:margulis -at- mail -dot- fiam -dot- net]
Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2003 12:36 PM
To: Philbrook, Susann
Subject: RE: Looking For Feedback On An Application Called Websphere
(formerly Holosofx)



[off-list]

Just to clear up any confusion, Websphere is a platform that encompasses a
lot of stuff. Business Integraton Monitor is the name of the application.

---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: "Philbrook, Susann" <Susann_Philbrook -at- Cable -dot- Comcast -dot- com>
Reply-To: "Philbrook, Susann" <Susann_Philbrook -at- Cable -dot- Comcast -dot- com>
Date:  Wed, 4 Jun 2003 11:50:07 -0400 

>
>Hey, What's Up Doc! (Sorry, couldn't resist, I hope you have a sense of
>humor...)
>
>Yes, I am aware of all of that. Actually, the name change took place within
>the past 6 months. Most people who could offer feedback would likely know
>this application by its former name.
>
>Even though I have voiced my concerns and attempted to show that the
>application seems unsuitable, there are people here who want to push it as
a
>replacement. The best I can hope for is to gather opinions from industry
>professionals who support my belief that Websphere/Holosofx would not be a
>proper substitute for documenting procedures.
>
>Thank you for your reply. All opinions are welcomed. It was my oversight in
>forgetting to reference the new name, "Websphere."
>
>Susann Philbrook
>Documentation Control Specialist 
>Comcast IP Services, LLC, Operations Support 
>Phone: 856-317-7394 / Fax: 856-317-7358 
>susann_philbrook -at- cable -dot- comcast -dot- com
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Doc [mailto:doc -at- vertext -dot- org]
>Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2003 11:31 PM
>To: Philbrook, Susann
>Subject: Re: Looking For Anyone Who Has Had Experience Using An
>Application Ca lled Holosofx
>
>
>On Tue, 3 Jun 2003 16:35:42 -0400 , "Philbrook, Susann"
><Susann_Philbrook -at- Cable -dot- Comcast -dot- com> wrote:
>>Presently, I am working on a project that involves documenting procedures
>>using Word and Visio. Management has purchased a package called Holosofx
>and
>>there are a few people here who believe it could be used in place of Word
>>and Visio to produce formal procedures. 
>>I've attempted to ask for feedback from writers/editors/documentation
folks
>>who have had any kind of experience using Holosofx. So far, none of my
>>former colleagues have any knowledge of this product.
>
>The reason you're not finding anyone is because Holosofx:
>a) No longer exists.
>b) Has been converted into an IBM product.
>
>It is now called IBM WebSphere® Business Integration Monitor and it
>monitors IBM WebSphere Workflow events in real-time. From what I
>understand, its purpose is business performance management not process
>documentation. I have not used it, but the publicity on it would make
>me think that it is unsuited to your task.
>
>But, decide for yourself:
>http://www-3.ibm.com/software/integration/wbimonitor/
>
>-Doc
>The VerText Company
>South Hamilton, MA
>+1.978-609.1165
>
>Our choicest plans have fallen through
>our airiest castles tumbled over
>because of lines we neatly drew
>and later neatly stumbled over.
>	-- Piet Hein
>
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