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Changes to Platform and Version Support

May 28, 2020

The AASHTOWare Project™ Task Force (PTF) works with Infotech as the official development and support contractor to maintain and develop our software platforms. The PTF has recently directed Infotech to implement several new policies regarding platform and version support. These changes will allow Infotech to devote the majority of their support resources to the current versions of our software, while still allowing agencies to receive help with older versions. Changes have also been made to reduce the large number of database combinations that support AASHTOWare Project software.

New Support Policy: What to Know
All released AASHTOWare Project versions will receive standard support through the standard support period end date. Agencies can receive unlimited support from Infotech during this time to analyze and resolve issues. Once the standard support period ends, outdated versions of AASHTOWare Project move into reduced support until the reduced support period end date. Reduced support includes:

  • Up to two hours of support per call ticket from Infotech to analyze and resolve issues
  • For issues requiring more than two hours of support, agencies can use Service Units or enter an independent contract with Infotech to resolve issues

After the reduced support period ends, AASHTOWare Project versions become unsupported and support is no longer funded by AASHTO. Support must be funded through Service Units or an independent contract. We encourage agencies to stay up-to-date with their versions to receive the highest level of support.

New Platform Policy: What to Know
Agencies use a variety of database server platforms to host AASHTOWare Project. This cluttered landscape of mixed and outdated platforms can complicate support, testing, and new release rollouts. To reduce the large number of combinations of Windows Server, Oracle, SQL Server, and AASHTOWare Project, the PTF has directed Infotech to maintain an “N and N-1” approach.

What is an “N and N-1” approach?
Under this approach, Infotech will begin development on the newest platform available and then conduct a second review prior to the testing phase to ensure the platform version is still current. Support will no longer be provided for platform versions prior to N-1. For example:

  1. AASHTOWare Project 4.3 development began in February 2019 on Oracle 18c (N). The N-1 or previous version was Oracle 12.2.
  2. Prior to testing for AASHTOWare Project 4.3, the current version of Oracle was re-assessed to determine if the N and N-1 versions were still current.
  3. If there had been a newer platform version available at that time, the newer version would have also been supported.

These policy changes are designed to encourage agencies to think more about their update cycle and keep their databases current. Outdated platform and AASHTOWare Project versions open the door to security breaches and malfunctions. For more information on keeping your AASHTOWare Project version up to date, contact your Infotech Account Manager.

By:
Lanny Campbell, Systems Manager, Kansas DOT
Paul Guidry, Director of Technology and Development, Infotech