Publication Date: January 8, 2003
Author: General Manager: FSA Schools Channel
Summary: Direct Loan and Pell Beta Test Volunteers Needed for 2003-2004 EDExpress, Version 9.1
Posted on 01-08-2003
TO: All Destination Points
FROM: U.S. Department of Education
RE: Direct Loan and Pell Beta Test Volunteers Needed for 2003-2004 EDExpress, Version 9.1
DATE: January 8, 2003
The U.S. Department of Education is recruiting schools and servicers for participation in the beta test of the upcoming 2003-2004 EDExpress for Windows, Version 9.1. Schools and servicers are needed to test the Direct Loan and Pell modules (both of which will be included in Version 9.1).
The 2003-2004 EDExpress Direct Loan and Pell modules have been updated with functionality to ensure compatibility with the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) system, including XML-formatted export files, new reports, and new fields throughout the software. We encourage schools wanting an early look at this functionality to volunteer for this beta test!
Beta test participants will download the software from an FTP site along with detailed test procedures. Participants are then asked to replicate their typical 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.
Pell beta testing is scheduled to take place from January 20 to January 31, 2003. Direct Loan beta testing is scheduled to take place from February 17 to February 28, 2003.
If you are interested in being considered as a beta test site for the Direct Loan or Pell module of Version 9.1, please send an e-mail to CPSWAN@NCS.COM with the subject line "Attention: EDExpress 9.1 Beta Testing" and provide the following information:
1) School name and address
2) School type (4-year public university, 2-year private college, proprietary/trade school, etc.)
3) Primary and Secondary testing contact names, phone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses
4) TG# identifier
5) Windows Operating System version(s) and environment (network/standalone)
6) Network type and version (if applicable)
7) EDExpress module(s) you wish to test (Direct Loan and/or Pell)
8) Modules/features/tools you currently use in EDExpress (please provide specific details, such as External Add Imports, User Database, etc.)
9) Do you use EDExpress in combination with your mainframe or 3rd party software? If so, what type of mainframe system and/or 3rd Party software do you use?
10) Printer type and version, and if printer is standalone or networked
11) FTP download capability (I.E. Can you upload/download files from an FTP server?)
12) Your school's average number of Title IV applicants per year
FSA and CPS PC development staff will select participants with a wide variety of processing environments to ensure the most diverse and thorough testing of the software is performed.
We will contact all Pell module beta volunteers by January 15, 2003. All Direct Loan module beta volunteers will be contacted by February 12, 2003. If your school is selected for either beta test, further information will be provided by the aforementioned date.
We thank you for your interest in helping make 2003-2004 EDExpress a superior software product. We look forward to hearing from you.