Publication Date: July 9, 2001
Author: SFA Chief Information Office (CIO)
Summary: SFA to the Internet Communication #5
Posted on July 9, 2001
SFA to the Internet - bringing you a faster, easier and a more cost-efficient way to transmit data! The Student Aid Internet Gateway (SAIG) leverages the benefits of Internet technologies without changing or interrupting existing customers' established business processes around data transmissions. Long awaited by our customers, the SFA to the Internet solution will benefit the entire SFA community.
SFA is pleased to bring you the fifth installment of SFA to the Internet migration communication. Testing and development continue on the new SFA to the Internet software products. We are also continuing to gather volunteers to be early adopters of the project. To volunteer as an early adopter, contact CPS/WAN Technical Support at (800) 330-5947, or via email at mailto:CPSWAN@NCS.COMCPSWAN@NCS.COM.
Included in this fifth communication installment:
- Incentive to Migrate to SFA to the Internet - Drawings for 3 free trips to the 2001 Electronic Access Conferences (EAC).
- Will I be able to restore data from the Title IV WAN mailbox after December 18th?
- Will destination points be issued new user ID's or passwords?
- I am a Mainframe destination point that currently uses 16-bit EDconnect. Will the new EDconnect perform the same functionality?
- If I'm a combo school who uses the same TG ID for both mainframe and PC transmissions, will I need to migrate both systems at the same time?
Incentive to Migrate to SFA to the Internet - Drawings for 3 free trips to the 2001 Electronic Access Conferences (EAC)
SFA is pleased to announce an incentive for all of you to migrate early in our process. Our Modernization Partners will be giving away three trips to the 2001 EACs. The winners will be asked to share their migration experience during the SFA to the Internet general session.
We will draw one winner from the destination points who have migrated as of September 15, 2001, a second winner from those who have migrated by September 30, 2001 and finally a third winner from those who have migrated by October 15, 2001.
The prize includes a pre-paid flight from your regional airport to the conference of your choice, three-night accommodations at the conference hotel and a per diem for 4 days.
The earlier you migrate, the more chances you have of winning a trip. Plan on migrating early and take advantage of our incentive drawing. You may be the lucky one to win a trip to a 2001 EAC!
Will I be able to restore data from the Title IV WAN mailbox after December 18th?
After December 18, 2001 you will not be able to restore data that was sent or received using the Title IV WAN mailbox. This is another great reason to plan your migration as early in the process as possible, as you will have the opportunity to restore data from the Title IV WAN mailbox if needed.
Will destination points be issued new user ID's or passwords?
Currently, your user ID is your TG number - TGxxxxx. Migration will not change your user ID. When we create a mailbox on the new system, the password will be set at the default of "PASSWORD" and you will need to change the password during the initial setup of the mailbox. Since the Title IV WAN mailbox and the new SAIG mailbox are separate systems you will be able to re-use your current password if you prefer.
I am a Mainframe destination point that currently uses 16-bit EDconnect. Will the new EDconnect perform the same functionality?
Yes, EDconnect version 5.0.0 will perform the same functionality. The difference is the 16-bit EDconnect transmits data to the Title IV WAN mailbox. The EDconnect version 5.0.0 will transmit data to the new SAIG mailbox.
If I'm a combo school who uses the same TG ID for both mainframe and PC transmissions, will I need to migrate both systems at the same time?
Yes, if you are a combo school you will need to be prepared to begin using the mainframe transmission software, EasyAccess, and the new EDconnect version 5.0.0 at the same time.
How do I find out more about this project?
We will continue to send out communications twice a month through the end of July 2001 and then upgrade to weekly bulletins during the migration process. Each communication will be entitled "SFA to the Internet status update". If you happen to miss any of the updates, all of this information will be kept collectively at http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/sfatech/sfafaq.html. We would encourage you to bookmark this location.
You can also access this from the school portal (http://fsa4schools.ed.gov/SCHOOLSWebApp/index.jsp), SFATECH, or IFAP web sites.
How will I be supported throughout the migration process?
CPS/WAN Technical Support will be available to support you during your migration process. If you have questions, please contact them at (800) 330-5947, or via email at CPSWAN@NCS.COM. There is no charge for technical support from CPS/WAN Technical Support.