Path Finder YD Audit Jessie

Overview Path Finder was developed with business users in mind. The goal is to seamlessly allow business to integrate a diverse range of software products and technologies in order to create robust and workable business solutions. The objectives of Path Finder are achieved through exploiting the latest technological innovations and presenting these in a simple, user-friendly environment to business and technical analysts. This approach delivers true technical functionality whilst returning definition and ownership of processes back to business. The simplicity of use and the product configuration and implementation as well as process definition will improve turnaround in delivery time, as, it reduces dependency on highly skilled I.T. based resources. Essentially Path Finder returns ownership of process definition and management back to end-users. We at Yellow Dog Software strongly feel that this is where it belongs. What Is It? Pathfinder is a system that provides an organisation with a repository of any entity with its attributes and their relationships. What Does It Do? Pathfinder collects, stores and reports on this information in a relational database (repository). All relevant interdependencies and relationships are shown on the user interface.The application is process oriented and deals with processes like automated inventory, system maintenance, systems documentation, critical path analyses, impact assessment and reporting. What Problems Does It Solve? Due to the dynamic nature of the IT industry, demand for skilled IT resources has far outstripped the supply, resources skilled in older technologies either drop out or migrate their skill base to newer technologies with the resultant loss of skills and system knowledge to maintain older or 'legacy' systems. Without understanding existing components, their interdependencies or the impact that such alterations may have, organisations are exposed when they wish to enhance or upgrade their systems. One way of addressing this problem is to ensure that all systems and their interdependencies are well documented, understood and that disciplines are in place to ensure that this inventory of information is continually updated. Who Should Use It? Information Technology Service Providers (Computer Operations) with responsibility for Enterprise Systems Management (ESM). Application Software Developers maintaining or converting legacy systems. Why Should They Use It? Documentation (system requirements, technical and program specifications) for legacy systems are seldom kept up to date, leading to difficulties and expensive resources wasting time to find out what a system is supposed to do and how changes to one program will impact other programs or systems. A full impact analyses report from Pathfinder will eliminate these problems. What's So Good About It? It is a highly scaleable and adaptable system providing centralised information about an organisation's total assets. It can assist with all ESM disciplines and processes. What Technologies Are Required? Internet access by registered users anywhere, anytime. How does It Integrate? The system information is stored in a relational database and can therefore easily be imported, exported, connected to and integrated with. How Is It Licensed? Site license. How Is It Supported? Support and maintenance agreement. Key Features Creates and maintains and accurate repository of any entity, it's attributes and their relationships of all assets (hardware, software, furniture, equipment, people, etc.) in an organisation. This knowledge should be useful to, and capable of being leveraged by various roles and areas within an ogranisation including:   - Impact Analyses   - Project planning and Management   - Change Management   - Problem Management   - Asset Management   - Analysts and Programmers   - Configuration Management   - Quality Management   - Capacity and Performance Management   - Security   - Internal and External Audit   - Disaster Recovery Planning   - Business Analysts   - Business Process Re-engineers   - Outsource Contractors   - Critical Path Planning A user interface allows viewing, creating and maintenance of all elements in the repository. The repository is populated and updated regularly in an automated fasion or where it does not make sense to automate, data can be captured or updated via a maintenance application.Various environmental, system, database, source code etc. analyses modules may be written on the relevant processing environment to collect all the pertinent data. Some of these modules are already available and some wizards have been created in order to expedite this population process. The information can be viewed either through a web-based interface (XML) or through a Visual Basic user interface and can be in plain text, graphical format (flowcharts, graphs, etc.) or in printable report format. Key Benefits Dependencies on key personnel with the accompanied risks are lessened. One central repository of a company's assets and required documentation is easier to maintain and gives more reliable information.