Networking and Telecommunications

Announcing the arrival of a new COMET!

Ann Dobson

On November 3, 1997, the Communication and Network Services (CNS) department welcomed a new computer system (COMET) to support its business processes. The new system features client/server technology, a relational database back-end, and a Windows-based GUI front-end.

Data from several old computer systems supporting the former Telecommunications department was updated and made consistent in order to load information about voice communication services into the new database. This should result in more accurate billing for departments.

One of the major changes that occurred in loading the data into the new system was attaching each service to an "Entity" instead of a phone number. Where possible, the Entity is the person using the service, matched via the phone book. Otherwise, the Entity is the department being billed for the service. Departments can also establish "special purpose" Entities for services such as phones in a laboratory. The Entity can be changed by using the new Communication and Network Services Request Form (see picture).

This form has been mailed out to all those who receive telephone bills, and to the MSO/AA mailing list maintained by Mail Services. It is also available for printing from the Voice Services web page. All requests for voice communication services should be transmitted via this new form. Acknowledgment will be sent via email, return fax, or campus mail.

The COMET system will also be producing the phone bill in a new format. The bill contains a departmental summary, lists services by Entity, and contains much more detail on services rendered. The entire bill will be sent to the departmental contact, instead of the bill for each account-fund being mailed separately. In a future project phase, the bill will be available online on the web for viewing and downloading.

The departmental charges for the first couple of months from the new system may be artificially low because some vendor information may not be processed in time for the billing deadline. These charges will be included in subsequent bill cycles. Also, the new bill will reflect the elimination of the telephone maintenance charge for standard telephone equipment. An insert will be included in the bill detailing which charges will be affected. The CNS department will be offering classes in 1998 on how to fill out the new request form, and how to read the new bill. For information on classes, contact Ann Dobson at (510) 642-8090.

If you have any questions about the project, please contact Jann Fong at (510) 642-9815 or Terri Kouba at (510) 642-3724.