Upgrading through the Direct SQL Access Program

Important! Before you can upgrade through the Direct SQL Access Program, you must be approved. Contact your CPIL to learn more.

The Direct SQL Access Program is a transitionary step to assist the self-hosted/on premise or traditionally-hosted clients in getting to the latest version of iMIS EMS. Although the Direct SQL Access Program is cloud-based, it includes direct access to SQL, so clients and partners can reconfigure and remove existing customizations and non-cloud-friendly integrations before transitioning to iMIS EMS.

Things to know before upgrading

If you are an AiSP and would like to request a demo instance, you can enter a ticket to Cloud Services; however, before requesting a demo instance, the following must first be completed or understood:

  • You must be on iMIS 2017 with at least Service Pack P applied; however, it is highly recommended that you be on the latest service pack.
  • The iMIS 20/20 Advance Program includes direct access to the VDS, from which you will have access to the database. This access ensures clients and partners can reconfigure and remove existing customizations and non-cloud-friendly integrations before transitioning to iMIS EMS Enterprise.

    • Important! Although you can upgrade with preexisting customizations, you must continually work toward replacing or dropping all customizations and non-cloud-friendly integrations. No new customizations will be added to the database once it has been transferred to ASI's hosted environment. ASI Cloud Services will release updates on a regular basis that could potentially break preexisting customizations, and the client is responsible for resolving these issues.

  • The following gateways are the only allowed gateways:
  • Self-hosted DataVaults must be migrated to the Pay Central Service (ASI-hosted DataVault).
  • The REST API must be utilized (no integration through iBO or SOA)
  • Applications other than iMIS (e.g., Office, Visual Studio) are no longer supported
  • The following are no longer available:
    • iMIS Desktop
    • iMIS TaskCentre
    • Crystal Reports (recreate existing using IQA, SSRS, or iMIS Report Writer)

Upgrade path

The following outlines how to upgrade to iMIS EMS through the Direct SQL Access Program.

Requesting a test site

The following outlines how to obtain a test site:

  1. Run the Upgrade Scripts.
  2. Client and AiSP or ASI Client Success discuss and analyze the results of the scripts. They determine which customizations they need, how they can replace them, and any other details surrounding the customizations. Any customizations not being used should simply be dropped.

    3. Tip! Color code the output document to easily see which are actively being used (GREEN), which you are unsure about (YELLOW), and which are not being used anymore (RED).

  3. Complete the pre-upgrade tasks.
  4. Gather the following items:
    1. BAK file
    2. KEK file
    3. Website app themes
    4. Images

    Important! You must have these items ready before reaching out to ASI, as they are required before the upgrade can proceed.

  5. Contact your CPIL and ask that they work with ASI Orders to enter a ticket to Cloud Services requesting to be added to ASI's hosted environment and start the iMIS Direct SQL Access Program upgrade:
    • A Cloud Services analyst will respond to the ticket with a secure link where you can upload the database backup, KEK file, website app themes, and all images.
    • Client should also provide a list of RDP users, email addresses, phone numbers, and phone model to setup two-factor authentication.
  6. Cloud Services does the following:
    1. Move the backup and all associated files to the dedicated testing location
    2. Review live database to ensure it's on at least Service Pack P; however, it is highly recommended that you be on the latest service pack
    3. Upgrade the backup (this could take up to seven business days)
    4. Setup RDP accounts for access to the datanase
  7. Client is to register and onboard with the appropriate gateway:

Performing the tests

During the testing phase, the client, AiSP, or ASI Client Success should complete the following:

  1. Test all third-party applications and integrations. The test site is available while testing and final stages of application integration are completed by the AiSP or ASI Client Success. This will not be the live site until all testing has been completed.
  2. The client/AiSP/ASI Client Success is to follow a test plan to review all areas of change.

    3. Important! iMIS Report Writer is an extra license cost. Contact your CPIL if you require iMIS Report Writer.

    Important! Any changes made in the test site do not automatically transfer over on a live upgrade. Keep detailed notes about the changes you make in the test environment, so that you can make the same changes after the live upgrade. Items such as content records, queries, and business objects can be manually exported from test and imported into the live system.

Upgrading live

After all third-party applications and integrations are successfully tested, the following steps remain to go-live:

  1. AiSP or ASI Client Success notifies Cloud Services that all necessary testing has been completed.
  2. ASI Cloud Services does a final database refresh, so client is live.

    3. Note: If the client has an on site DataVault, ASI Cloud Services will coordinate the move with the client.

  3. AiSP or ASI Client Success is responsible for reconnecting any third-party application to the live site.
  4. Complete the post-upgrade tasks.
  5. Set up the gateway in the live site:
  6. The client works with the AiSP or ASI Client Success to reconfigure and eliminate customizations.
  7. Once customizations have been replaced through reconfiguration or out-of-the-box iMIS functionality, the client should prepare to move to iMIS EMS.

Upgrading to full-cloud iMIS EMS

Those who have been through the Direct SQL Access Program must take the following steps to upgrade to iMIS EMS:

  1. Contact your AiSP or Client Success and let them know that you are ready to take the final step in the upgrade process. Ask that they work with ASI Orders to confirm proper licensing and contracts are in place for an iMIS EMS Enterprise site. Once confirmed, ASI Orders will enter a ticket to Cloud Services requesting the iMIS EMS Enterprise test site be created.
  2. Cloud Services creates the test site and gives the client, AiSP, or ASI Client Success the link to the iMIS EMS test site.
  3. Testing begins and is either completed by the partner and/or client.

    4. Note: The ASI Upgrade Program Team is available for consultations throughout the upgrade testing phase with the AiSP or ASI Client Success as needed. Please submit a support ticket requesting to talk to the upgrade program team.

  4. TheiMIS EMS Checklist is completed, signed, and AiSP or ASI Client Success notifies Cloud Services that all necessary testing has been completed.
  5. A go-live date is scheduled after the client finishes their testing.

    6. Note: Contact ASI Hosting at least two weeks in advance of the desired upgrade date. It is recommended the live upgrade is scheduled on a Monday or another day earlier in the week. This ensures you have available resources if something important occurs. Additionally, schedule around any PTO, holidays, big events, or long weekends.

  6. The client's live site is upgraded on the agreed upon date and time.