Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Massive Data loss issues in Goldmine 6.70.50123

The following issue has been discovered in 6.70.50123 and can lead to massive or complete CAL table data loss.

It boils down to if a user completes a multi-user activity using the day calendar view or the Activity List for a day that has many calendar items then Goldmine creates a SQL query that is too general and ends up deleting too much calendar data.

Here is the specific issue logged as RM# 30822:

ISSUE_ID .... 30822
PRIORITY .... 1
SEVERITY .... 1-Critical
STATUS ...... 4-Open

SUBJECT ..... Data - Loss: Global Calendar completions
Multiple calendar records are earmarked for completion without regard to USER or RECTYPE
[BUILD]
6.70.50123, 6.70.50808
[OS]
n/a
[STEPS]
1. View Calendar, Day Tab
2. Create a 1hr Appointment for three different contacts
(e.g. Contact1 9-10, Contact2 10-11, etc.)
3. Create a 1hr Appointment for multiple users and a contact record *not* used in step 2
4. From calendar, right-click on appointment created in step 3., select complete option
5. Click OK
6. Click Yes to Alert
7. Right-click on an appointment created in step 2., select complete option
8. Click OK, Click Yes (should be in close succession)
[RESULTS]
All calendar records are completed with values from the multiple user activity.
[DISCUSSION]
Trace shows the following query:

SELECT RECID, RECTYPE, NUMBER1, CREATEBY FROM dbo.CAL (NOLOCK) WHERE RECID LIKE '%' ORDER BY RECID ASC

Same occurs when actions are performed from activity list window.

Observations:
A modal Complete window is launched when 'Complete' is the selected action from an Alarm window popup; this is not the case when 'Complete' is selected from the local menu option of the Pending Tab, Activity list or Calendar.

Development is working on a patch for 6.7 that corrects the issue.

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

iHEAT/iGoldMine and Windows Update 896424

This notification came through from Frontrange yesterday about the incompatability of iHEAT with Windows Update 896424
Please be advised that Windows Update 896424, released November 8 2005, is incompatible with iHEAT and iGoldMine on: Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows 2000 SP4 for all supported versions of iHEAT and iGoldMine. We will release compatibility update as soon as possible. This incompatibility only affects the iHEAT and/or iGoldMine Server and does not impact the Client machines.

FrontRange Solutions will release a compatibility update as soon as possible and we will send a second notification when the update is available.

Friday, November 11, 2005

Setting Up Knowledge Management in ITSM 5.04

The setup for Knowledge in Frontrange's ITSM 5.04 has a few tricks and traps here and there.

1. Initially you have to register the module in the Administrator. To do this select the Settings -> Module registration section. The DLL you need to add to register Knowledge is located under C:\Program Files\FrontRange Solutions\Service Management and is called Orion.Module.Knowledge.dll. Once you've added this module you need to exit the Administrator tool and restart IIS to ensure that the setting holds.

2. Once you have Registered the module you need to adjust the settings of the connection. To do this select the Settings -> Module registration section, select the Knowledge Management Module and click Settings. Here you need to fill in the following settings(see also the diagram below):-

Server: [servername] (or localhost)
Port: 2242 (this is the default port)
Connect as User: Administrator (Note: this the default user for knowledge and is not an ITSM user or a Windows System user, This username is CASE-SENSITIVE)
Password: manage (This is the password created for the default knowledge user, again it's not controlled by ITSM or a Windows System account)

3. Finally the service needs to be configured to log on as an administrator account on this server. The Knowledge service will not run if the service is started as a System account.

Everything else from here is pretty straight forward.

Thursday, November 10, 2005

Dates from Heat in Crystal

Crystal Report Designer is a great reporting tool, but unfortunately the design of the HEAT database doesn't always make it as simple as possible to create reports. For example, dates in the HEAT database are held in string fields not standard date/time fields of the database you are using. This means that you need to convert the fields before they can be used with all the standard date functions in Crystal. There are two options you have for doing this : -

1. HEAT Crystal Functions
Shipped with installer for HEAT are a set of functions to allow you to do functions in Crystal that are specific to the HEAT system. One of these functions is HFWDateToDate. This function converts a HEAT date field into a Crystal Reports date field. For example if you wished to change the CallLog.RecvdDate the formula would be :
HFWDateToDate({CallLog.RecvdDate})
2. Standard Crystal Functions
Often you want to use crystal reports on machines that may not have the Heat Functions installed. In this case it is necessary to convert the date using standard Crystal Functions. The problem that sometimes occurs with using the standard Crystal is when targeting a date that may not be filled in (for example CallLog.ClosedDate). This will cause a 'Bad Date String format' error. This can be solved by simply checking the field has a valid date format before converting the value. For example if you wished to change the CallLog.RecvdDate the formula would be :
IF ISDATE({CallLog.RecvdDate}) THEN DATE({CallLog.RecvdDate})

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Misleading Rights errors in HEAT/ITSM integration

This error occurs when trying to integrate one of the ITSM modules (to at least version 5.03) with an existing HEAT (version 8.36) implementation. When trying to access the module (in this case configuration) the user is presented with the error "You do not have rights to view inventory items". After inspection of their user account in HEAT and ITSM it is clear that the user has enough rights and has been created in ITSM with the correct role to allow access to this Module. The error is actually indicating that the passwords do not match between the HEAT and ITSM systems. For integration to work correctly the Users need to be created in both HEAT and ITSM with the same username and password.

Frontrange ITSM Patch 1023 Details

This is a list of all the issue that were fixed and passed testing in the latest release patch for ITSM 503.

23609 Problem with File Listener - Messaging attachments
23351 Events/Email not showing after 5.0.3 migration - rich text, pain text
23303 Layout and GoTo forms for relationships to a Business
23273 Cannot change Status once a save failed due to a required calculated hidden field being missing
23272 Date Searching intermittently uses UK and US date format Groups and search and link
23185 Triggers only fire when changes made through ITSM/Web Client. Needs to work through messaging
23184 Need to fire Business Rule from standard objects Trigers with Expressions
23181 Email Listener stops after marking 3 emails for deletion
23179 Need to understand how to remove Items from Navigator and Menu
23165 Patch Installer open put in dll in c:\ drive Verify install to D drive
23163 If an existing contact is linked to a new group, the address data of the contact is filled with the address of that group
23146 Mutliple window using search search
22860 Trigger for record state and field in record change for related biz object not working

17392 Cannot edit when in final state with permissions enabled
Proxy Server bypass with exception list
25100 The "Send email" QuickActions eliminates line breaks so that the body of an email is not readable
if you use the QuickActions, for example w replying to an email
25101 For HOPs that start PM and end AM the following error appears in the application when trying to save a ticket:
24663 Validate field with no grid defined
22664 Quick Close Error when using the Quick Close Icon.
25346 Cannot Login to Web App Multiple times
24208 Problem linking OpenText 'Contacts' to 'Groups'
25088 Keystrokes in validation fields does not "dirty' field
25119 Config in attachment is causing read only error with export to excel action
25006 Dashboard/Dashboard part Security is not working as expected
25013 Attachments with Proxy server
25013 Attachments with proxy bypass
25066 Unhandled exe when navigating through app
26318 Edit/add associated item selector

Thursday, November 03, 2005

Trap for young players... in ITSM 5.04

Apparently the new 5.04 version of ITSM has no migration tool. This version has been released for implementation only with new customers. There is plan to release a migration tool from 5.03 later in the month, which (I imagine) would be similar to the upgrade from 5.02. At this point it is not clear what aspects of the system fail to work by simply importing a 5.03 FAD into a 5.04 system. On first inspection it appears the system imports without error, however I'll post up anything I find once I complete some more testing.

Known Issues and Fixes for

The following lists are known issues and the issue that have been fixed in the 5.04 release of Frontrange ITSM
Known Issues:

29835 - User may get error message when entering invalid path in “Send or update Task Item” or “Send or update Task Item” Quick Actions

29756 - Outlook Integration: User may get error message in Outlook integration component when testing multiple connections. Users may need to close the Preferences dialog and reopen the dialog before testing the connection.


Fixed issues in 5.04:

17392 - Cannot edit record when in final state with permissions enabled Proxy Server bypass with exception list

22664 - Quick Close Error when using the Quick Close Icon. The data in the resolution details appears to be erased and the Quick Close Error message display a dialogue box with the Resolution details empty.

23163 - If an existing contact is linked to a new group, the address data of the contact is filled with the address of that group

23179 - Need to understand how to remove Items from Navigator and Menu

23181 - Email Listener stops after marking 3 emails for deletion

23184 - Need to fire Business Rule from standard objects Triggers with Expressions

23269 - Layout and GoTo forms for relationships to a Business Object Group does not display correct Group Member Form

23272 - Date Searching intermittently uses UK and US date format Groups and search and link

23273 - Cannot change Status once a save failed due to a required calculated hidden field being missing

23303 - Layout and GoTo forms for relationships not working

23351 - Events/Email not showing after 5.0.3 migration - rich text, plain text

23609 - Problem with File Listener Messaging attachments

24322 - Delete Profile record from front-end application allows tickets to be created in Application with record being deleted

24633 - Could Not Link Item: Enumeration already finished" error message

24663 - Validated field with no grid defined

25013 - Attachments with Proxy server not working

25013 - Attachments with proxy bypass Reports not working

25066 - Unhandled exe when navigating through app LDAP Schedular (command line)

25088 - Keystrokes in validation fields does not "dirty' field

25100 - The "Send email" QuickActions eliminates line breaks so that the body of an email is not readable if you use the QuickActions, for example w replying to an email

25119 - Configuration in attachment is causing read only error with export to Excel action

25301 - User status no longer appears next to name in drop downs

26539 - Deleting an employee.profile record is not deleting the record.

27005 - Notifications and Triggers do not work in self service

28221 - Export/importing data with FUD only works for 8 records Issue with merging fields in Conflict Resolution.

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

Frontrange ITSM Patch 1021 Details

The following issues are addressed by the 1021 patch for ITSM version 5.03.
29019 Dasboard parts not making it into FUD
29018 Fud Commit with Role
29022 Compare tool error with new perspective
28866 Quickactions, triggers, Bus rule will not import from FUD
29023 New field on existing object won't import with compare
28866 Quickactions, triggers, Bus rule will not import from FUD
Unhandled exception error. Users could continue.
?FRS RM # 25066
25401 Cannot scroll through dropdown lists using arrow keys (Curtis)
25224 Unhandled Exception Error 慟uit? button removed
Grid views/search capability in Bus. Obj. Maint.
F#25241 Dashboard does not remember last position of cursor.
26621 Temporarily displaying wrong record from grid views. The amount of time to display the correct record varies
?? Session timeouts
?? Audit History not updating
25401 SLAs do not refresh when a different service is selected
28223 Non-Relational tab added to layout as last tab does not display after commit


28230 Employees cannot use similar Login IDs
28221 Export/importing data with FUD only works for 8 records 0914
Issue with merging fields in Conflict Resolution.
QuickClose now working in Client install as well as server install
27005 Notifications and Triggers do not work in self service
0908-A
23609 Problem with File Listener Messaging attachments
23351 Events/Email not showing after 5.0.3 migration - rich text, pain text
23303 Layout and GoTo forms for relationships to a Business
23273 Cannot change Status once a save ed due to a required calculated hidden field being missing
23272 Date Searching intermittently uses UK and US date format Groups and search and link
23185 Triggers only fire when changes made through ITSM/Web Client. Needs to work through messaging
23184 Need to fire Business Rule from standard objects
Trigers with Expressions
23181 Email Listener stops after marking 3 emails for deletion
23179 Need to understand how to remove Items from Navigator and Menu
23165 Patch Installer open put in dll in c:\ drive Verify install to D drive
23163 If an existing contact is linked to a new group, the address data of the contact is filled with the address of that group
23146 Mutliple window using search search
22860 Trigger for record state and field in record change for related biz object not working
17392 Cannot edit when in final state with permissions enabled
Proxy Server bypass with exception list
25100 The "Send email" QuickActions eliminates line breaks so that the body of an email is not readable
if you use the QuickActions, for example w replying to an email
25101 For HOPs that start PM and end AM the following error appears in the application when trying to save a ticket:
saving a ticket with a Support Center produces the following error: See comment for error
F9 Drop down display 200+ and list Display column not stored
1. no drop down OTC group
2. combo drop down
a. In list select and populate
b. Beyond drop list populate and add to list
3. Constrained
4. >200 list. If list > 200 do not cache only last record show whole list
Presence Mgmt
Dashboard Grid color based on expression
Search Prompt for text and dates
System must prevent that a file/attachment is overwritten, when a new file/attachment with same name is uploaded. System must resolve name conflicts.
It must be possible to choose the destination where a user wants to save a download to. Currently system saves automatically to some location and it is not immediately transparent where to.
System must support concurrent working on tickets by a more flexible and intelligent locking mechanism. Current scheme not useful
Dasboard Grid column memory
Quick Action Execute Sort order
Search Result sort order -- configurable in Admin
Licensing issues surrounding 'Open New Window' button
Service Save -- should not prompt for invalid state
proxy Authentication
_valid -- modify validated field an
export/import to empty db
SS NT auth
Ad Hoc - overwrite
Validate saved def set
ITSM/HEAT view
From address in notification
Specified cast not invalid
Company name in New contact FNTS
24663 Validate field with no grid defined -- Exception used to occur should handle better now
22664 Quick Close Error when using the Quick Close Icon. The data in the resolution
details appears to be erased and the Quick Close Error message display a
dialogue box with the Resoltion details empty.
25346 Cannot Login to Web App Multiple times
24208 Problem linking OpenText 'Contacts' to 'Groups'
In the OpenText system, select a 'Group' record.
Click on the 'Contact' Tab.
Click to link a contact to this group.
Select a contact from the search list.
The contact is shown in the grid against the group.
Save the Group.
Refresh the Group.
The contact has disappeard from the grid.
commit with large data
Login time with large amount of users in db -
25088 Keystrokes in validation fields does not "dirty' field
25119 Config in attachment is causing read only error with export to excel action
25006 Dashboard/Dashboard part Security is not working as expected
60 Prompt to save with no changes made
Clear Associated item selector - quick action
Grid view and search in bus ob maintenance
25013 Attachments with Proxy server
25013 Attachments with proxy bypass
Reports
25066 Unhandled exe when navigating through app
LDAP Schedular (command line)

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

Frontrange ITSM Patch 0914 Details

The following list is all issues that were addressed as part of the ITSM Patch 503 0914

27005
Issue with merging fields in Conflict Resolution.
QuickClose now working in Client install as well as server install
Notifications and Triggers do not work in self service

23609
Problem with File Listener
Messaging attachments

23351
Events/Email not showing after 5.0.3 migration - rich text, pain text

23303
Layout and GoTo forms for relationships to a Business

23273
Cannot change Status once a save failed due to a required calculated hidden field being missing

23272
Date Searching intermittently uses UK and US date format Groups and search and link

23185
Triggers only fire when changes made through ITSM/Web Client. Needs to work through messaging

23184
Need to fire Business Rule from standard objects
Trigers with Expressions

23181
Email Listener stops after marking 3 emails for deletion

23179
Need to understand how to remove Items from Navigator and Menu

23165
Patch Installer open put in dll in c:\ drive Verify install to D drive

23163
If an existing contact is linked to a new group, the address data of the contact is filled with the address of that group

23146
Mutliple window using search search

22860
Trigger for record state and field in record change for related biz object not working

17392
Cannot edit when in final state with permissions enabled
Proxy Server bypass with exception list

25100
The "Send email" QuickActions eliminates line breaks so that the body of an email is not readable if you use the QuickActions, for example w replying to an email

25101
For HOPs that start PM and end AM the following error appears in the application when trying to save a ticket:
saving a ticket with a Support Center produces the following error: See comment for error
F9 Drop down display 200+ and list Display column not stored
1. no drop down OTC group
2. combo drop down
a. In list select and populate
b. Beyond drop list populate and add to list
3. Constrained
4. >200 list. If list > 200 do not cache only last record show whole list
Presence Mgmt
Dashboard Grid color based on expression
Search Prompt for text and dates
System must prevent that a file/attachment is overwritten, when a new file/attachment with same name is uploaded. System must resolve name conflicts.
It must be possible to choose the destination where a user wants to save a download to. Currently system saves automatically to some location and it is not immediately transparent where to.
System must support concurrent working on tickets by a more flexible and intelligent locking mechanism. Current scheme not useful
Dasboard Grid column memory
Quick Action Execute Sort order
Search Result sort order -- configurable in Admin
Licensing issues surrounding 'Open New Window' button
Service Save -- should not prompt for invalid state proxy Authentication
_valid -- modify validated field an export/import to empty db
SS NT auth
Ad Hoc - overwrite
Validate saved def set
ITSM/HEAT view
From address in notification
Specified cast not invalid
Company name in New contact FNTS

24663
Validate field with no grid defined -- Exception used to occur should handle better now

22664
Quick Close Error when using the Quick Close Icon. The data in the resolution details appears to be erased and the Quick Close Error message display a dialogue box with the Resoltion details empty.

25346
Cannot Login to Web App Multiple times

24208
Problem linking OpenText 'Contacts' to 'Groups'
In the OpenText system, select a 'Group' record.
Click on the 'Contact' Tab.
Click to link a contact to this group.
Select a contact from the search list.
The contact is shown in the grid against the group.
Save the Group.
Refresh the Group.
The contact has disappeard from the grid.
commit with large data
Login time with large amount of users in db

25088
Keystrokes in validation fields does not "dirty' field

25119
Config in attachment is causing read only error with export to excel action

25006
Dashboard/Dashboard part Security is not working as expected Prompt to save with no changes made
Clear Associated item selector - quick action
Grid view and search in bus ob maintenance

25013
Attachments with Proxy server

25013
Attachments with proxy bypass Reports

25066
Unhandled exe when navigating through app pass LDAP Schedular (command line)
1. Initial import
2. Scheduled run new account
3. Scheduled run update account
Audit History no adding records
Create child record in change BP engine

26318
Edit/add associated item selector