Wingraph and Winmeter:

1995 "WINMETER" - VB3, Win16 API

Winmeter was a VB3 Desktop background tool that generated data files containing Desktop and Application usage. The data files were then processed to develop profiles of clients hardware and application workgroup requirements. My development of Winmeter was paid for by IBM Global Services and the source code was eventually handed over to them, when they were given a programmer resource, to convert to a 32bit tool.

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WinMeter

1. Introduction
   This report provides a briefing on the existing and proposed processes used to collect Business workgroup and workflow information. A by product of this process will help ITG and the business manage the deployment of new applications to the business unit's desktops. The information from the proposed solution will provide the business with the ability to better manage their desktop environment as less than the current cost.
2. Background
   The current problem faced by the business units relates to the deployment of new applications to the desktop. It stems from a combination of the limitations of the existing infrastructure and the unknown condition of the desktop on business sites. The business and ITG have been trying to manage this problem through a combination of:-
   • Application Testing
   • Formulation of Work Groups
   • Definition of Business Workflow
3. Existing Processes
   The break down of these processes are:-
   • Application Testing - measurement of desktop resources required by the client application. This is currently performed by Workgroup Environment
   • WorkGroups definition - done through surveys. Each site has different application requirements and this is constantly changing. The process is hard to manage. Testing in the Intergrated Test Centre is only relevant if the target sites have implemented the agreed defined workgroups. While Workgroups are defined for NOU O&M Project and C&C, the implementation will take time.
   • Workflow - workflow differs from person to person and from site to site. These workflows will constantly change as new applications and new products and procedures are introduced and will be hard to manage. Testing of workflow is limited because of the lack of information and existing complex procedures.
4. Solution
   The proposed solution is a combination of:-
   • Application testing
   • Pre pilot survey
   • Pilot site monitoring
   
   The tool to help achieve the pre pilot and pilot site testing is WinMeter. The characteristices of this tool are:-
   • Low resource utility (1% GDI, 2% User resources)
   • Compact and Efficient (No noticeable performance hit)
   • All complex information processing done in the back office
   • CLS (Corporate LAN Standard) Module
5. Process Details
   WinMeter can provide the business units with the condition of their workstations, what applications are used on the site (Workgroup information fig. 1.), which applications are to be classed as mandatory or optional (usage patterns) and provide basic workflow information through recording the Windows title bar information.
   
   The pre pilot survey will determine the condition of the desktop on site (Fig 2.) and what applications are used before changes are introduced. This information will form the basis to determine the possible outcomes of any new application deployment.
   
   Pilot site monitoring will provide a measure of deployment sucess and helps solve any deployment desktop technical problems. The procedure (fig. 3.) has been kept as simple as possible to cause minimal impact on the business.
6. Benefits
   Benefits from the WinMeter outputs are:-
   • Telstra - More effective management of the desktop with less resources
   • Business - minimal impact from new application roll outs
   • ITG - Deployment impact measurements
   • Workgroup computing - Software licensing information
   • Project teams - Increased deployment success
   • SDI - Workgroup information for ITC and potential module rationalisation
7. Current Status
   To date, the cost of this project is minimal. Proof of concept has been built from existing hardware (Fig. 4.). Expertise has been obtained from other ITG areas (Net Ops & PCS project). The CLS module is currently as QA status within SDI.
8. Scalability
   This solution is scalable with minimal hardware and resource costs from individual users to business unit surveys. The future development of this proces can be accomodated within existing skill sets and manpower within Workgroup Computing.
9. Issues
   The two current issues relating to WinMeter are:-
   • IR - the tool could be seen as "big brother" technology to monitor users. This is being covered through :-
     • The business informing the users that they are being monitored for a test period
     • Building a desktop indicator into Winmeter
   • WinMeter Robot - this robot is used to login to the target servers to extract the winmeter data. This robot needs to be managed by W.E. Robot issues are raised with the Telstra Robot co-ordinator and the CLS committee.
10. Current Usage
    
11. Proposed Usage
    
12. Recommendation
    This process cannot survive without support from the business units. We need to brief the business on this process, get buy in from the business and only then can we continue to firm up on all aspects of the process. We will target specific priority problems in each business unit to demonstrate the efficency and effectiveness of this end to end process.