TSS Update: Software and Database Restoration Progress 2/1/24

Dear Campus Community, 

As TSS progresses with the restoration efforts, we want to provide you with some updates on the software/database systems coming back online. To make it easier for you, we have created individual sections for each software/database item along with a brief narrative of what it is, and where we are with each task. 

There are several software systems that are scheduled for restoration across campus, but the following is a list of the initial systems that you will see being restored soon. The systems listed below were selected for initial work due to several factors including the availability of current supporting infrastructure, as well as the impact on the widest population affected, and the operational needs for the College. Some of the systems listed below may be operating with a temporary workaround solution, but these temporary measures are also being corrected to implement sustainable solutions going forward. As the work is completed and systems are brought back online, we will continue to send similar status updates, and add more systems that are in progress to the list. 

The following items are currently in progress or will be starting soon with an expected date of completion by the end of the Winter Quarter.

                Program/System                  Explanation  
Datalink This is the data connection to the State used to download ctcLink data and distribute it to our local SQL databases. This connection has been restored which is an integral piece of the restoration puzzle and impacts many of the other items listed below. 
Datalink Data Warehouse This Datalink software is supplied by the State and issued for analysis and reporting of historical data from multiple sources. Now that we have a connection to the State reestablished, the next step is configuring the software so that it works on our systems. This will be completed by the end of the week. (2/2/24) 
Report Server (SSRS) As many of you are aware, ransomware wiped out our report server requiring us to build a new one. This is currently in progress and once it is complete and has the proper configuration, we can begin rebuilding individual reports. While the server rebuild will be done prior to the end of Winter Quarter, it will take a significant amount of time to replace the volume of reports lost. However, reports will come back online individually as they become available. ETA: Late March 
Starfish This is our advising portal. Due to the ransomware incident, we lost the ability to sync a lot of information from ctcLink to Starfish which meant we had to do manual uploads of the information. We are currently in the testing phase to get that system fully functional again and are excited to report that we expect this to be completed very soon. TSS has completed the programming tasks for this phase of the project. The Starfish team is now testing and evaluating system readiness.  
Directory We are pleased to report that we will soon have our campus directory updated and accessible again. The reconstruction of this program will happen in two phases.  The first phase will include basic employee information contained in ctcLink (e.g. e-mails, phone) that will be available to staff and students.  This phase will be complete by the end of the Winter Quarter. The second phase will include the ability to personalize information a bit (e.g., professional bio, picture etc.) First phase completion expected February 23rd.   
InstantID This system will provide ID cards for both students and staff. The software will also capture photos which can then be used by other systems for identification purposes. The client/server setup is complete, and users are working with the vendor for training and testing. TSS is currently working to resolve errors found in testing. These issues are expected to be resolved by February 9th
Neogov Onboarding This is the HR onboarding software for all Shoreline employees. A file extract has been created for information synchronization to Neogov. TSS is working with HR for the creation of position numbers for every position across campus. This is expected to be completed by March.  
AIM The accessibility management system for student accessibility services (SAS) has not been functional since the ransomware incident. This system consists of an automated process for file extraction and information uploads. We will be restoring the system back to full functionality by the end of the quarter. An initial upload will be in place to get the system functional by the end of next week (2/9/24) 
RAVE The emergency alerts and operational texting system work is currently in progress. Currently emergency text messaging is in place and working as needed. Shoreline is developing a method for opt-in approval for text messaging which is an FCC requirement for non-emergency texting capabilities.  Automated processes for the population and removal of contact information are being updated as well. ETA: Late March 
Printers Printers will start rolling out ready for use in select buildings prior to the end of the winter quarter. This process will start with buildings 6000 and 4000 and continue as the infrastructure improvements are put in place. These two buildings are up first because the infrastructure was put in place with the construction of the new Cedar building, and Library (4000 building) already has standalone printing stations for students and staff to use that will be swapped out for the new printers. 
LinkedIn Learning Students and employee access to courses on LinkedIn Learning for both education and training purposes. We have crafted a temporary workaround involving a manual upload process, but an automated process is being constructed to upload data from ctcLink to LinkedIn learning, thus allowing it to run more efficiently. ETA: Late March 
ALMAA custom file export and upload to the state’s ALMA program for library system. We have crafted a manual workaround, but an automated process is being constructed to upload data from Datalink to ALMA, which will make things more efficient. ETA: March 8th  

The following items are currently in progress or will be starting soon with an expected date of completion by the end of the Spring Quarter. 

              Program/System                   Explanation  
Automatic Account CreationThis involves a custom process to build employee and student accounts upon the HR onboarding/offboarding process using ctcLink data. This project will also add efficiency to the previous process in place. 
ISSM The international processing system for SEVIS. The server configuration is in progress. Once complete, ISSM may require system recertification with the Department of Education.  
Slate This is an application software platform for sending data to ISSM. This involves a process for loading data for a document upload.  
Formstack This system is used for the college’s forms for data collection. Although a workaround is currently in place, work is still required to restore the automation for many forms. Basic reports/forms will not require this automation work.  
MaxientTracks student information for specific student demographics. An automated file upload process is being constructed for the rebuild of this system. 

Thank you for your patience. We have made great strides with the restoration process and are excited to be able to share more good news with you soon. If you have any questions, please reach out to Jason Brandon at jbrandon@shoreline.edu 

Internet Outage Update: 2:36pm 1/29/24- Connection is Restored!

Dear Campus Community,

Good news!  The Shoreline network connection for campus has been restored. 

We have received more information on the outage we experienced today and have confirmed that the fiber connection had some integrity issues in two spots, one near our campus and one about four miles out. These issues caused the Shoreline network to lose connectivity. While this is not an issue that originated at the College it is one that impacted us. Thankfully the technicians were able to get it fixed quickly allowing our connection to be fully restored.

Students and staff, please continue to check in with your instructors and supervisors for instructions about evening classes and activities.

If you have any questions, please contact Jason Brandon, Executive Director of TSS jbrandon@shoreline.edu

Internet Outage Update 1/29/24

At approx. 10:15am today, campus internet and phones went down due to an issue outside of the College. While a repair is in process, please see the following direction for the remainder of today (1/29/24):

  • Instruction requiring the use of internet should move to online modalities for the remainder of today
  • Instruction not requiring the use of internet can remain on campus as needed.

All other College services should move to remote operations for the remainder of today.

  • All units should continue to offer drop-in services via zoom sessions, etc during regular business hours
  • Service units are responsible for posting signage/online messaging regarding access to remote services
  • Signage should be posted with QR code or link to a zoom room before leaving campus
  • Employees that wish to remain on campus can do so, noting TSS has limited hotspots available to distribute.

Important Message from TSS- Internet Challenges This morning 1/29/24

Dear Campus Community,

Many of you have reported challenges with the internet this morning.  TSS has looked into it and has determined that the issue is not an internal one.  They are currently reaching out to the State to learn more and assess the situation to determine the cause of the slowdown.  Stay tuned for more information.

Thanks,

Jason Brandon

Executive Director of TSS

Issues with Microsoft Outlook? TSS Can Help!

Hello Campus Community,

TSS has been made aware of an issue occurring with Microsoft Outlook for many of our users. Currently Microsoft is aware of the issue and working to resolve this on a patch coming sometime mid-January. TSS has been looking into this for our users and we have developed an individual solution until Microsoft can get this resolved.  If you are experiencing any issues of crashing or unresponsiveness with your Microsoft Outlook, please submit a TSS ticket so we can address these directly.  We thank you for your attention to this matter and hope everyone can have a wonderful Holiday season.