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Beta Testers Needed for 2000-2001 EDExpress

PublicationDate: 10/20/99
Summary: Beta Testers Needed for 2000-2001 EDExpress
Author: PSS - Program Systems Service

Posted on October 20, 1999

TO: All Destination Points
FROM: U.S. Department of Education
RE: Beta Testers Needed for 2000-2001 EDExpress


The U.S. Department of Education is recruiting schools for participation in
beta testing the 32-bit 2000-2001 EDExpress for Windows software. Nine
schools are needed for each of the major software modules, which are
Application Processing, Packaging, Pell, and Direct Loan. In addition, one
servicer processing aid for multiple institutions is also needed for each of
the modules.

Beta test participants will receive the software and detailed test
procedures from CPS Customer Service. Participants are asked to replicate
their own use of the software in a mock-productional environment, report any
problems encountered, and submit a summary report detailing their testing
experience for ED analysis.

Application Processingtesting is scheduled to take place from
November 8 to November 12, 1999, Packaging from November 29 to December 3,
1999, Direct Loan from January 31 to February 4, 2000, and Pell from March
27 to March 31, 2000. All testing dates are subject to change.

The Department is also recruiting schools to beta test the standalone QAP,
FISAP and new Return of Title IV Funds software packages. QAP testing is
scheduled to take place from December 13 to December 31, 1999. Return of
Title IV Funds testing is scheduled to take place from January 4 to January
18, 2000. FISAP testing will take place from June 5 to June 16, 2000. Again,
the testing dates are subject to change.

If you are interested in being considered as a beta test site for one of the
above EDExpress modules and/or standalone products, please send a fax to CPS
Customer Service at (319) 358-4260 or an email to CPS@NCS.COM to the
attention of "EDExpress Beta Testing" and provide the following information:

1) School name and address
2) Institution contact name
3) Testing contact name (if different from individual in #2)
4) Phone and fax number, and e-mail address if available
5) TG# identifier
6) Operating system(s) and environment (network/standalone)
7) Network type and version, if applicable
8) EDExpress Modules (Application Processing, Packaging, Pell, or Direct
Loan) and/or standalone programs you wish to test
9) Modules/features/tools you currently use in various EDExpress modules
(please provide specific details, such as Document Tracking, Packaging
External Add Imports, Quick Correction, User Data, etc.)
10) Do you only use EDExpress alone or in combination with your mainframe or
3rd party software?
11) Printer type and version, and if printer is standalone or networked
12) FTP download capability (I.E. Can you upload/download files from an FTP
server?)
13) Your school's student population

CPS Customer Service and ED will select participants with a wide variety of
processing environments to ensure the most diverse and thorough testing of
the software is performed.

If your school or servicer is selected to participate in one of the
above-noted beta testing phases, you will be contacted at least ten days
prior to the start of the beta test with more information. If you are not
contacted within ten days of the start date for the beta test you are
applying for, your school or servicer was not selected for that particular
beta test.

We thank you for your interest in helping make 2000-2001 EDExpress for
Windows and other new ED software better products. We look forward to
hearing from you.