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shepsheriff

 

KATS Generation 4 Upcoming Release Progress Reports

 

April 1st, 2007 - KATS Generation 4 is released with added security features, tactical mode display and the Swedish language pack.  Users in Sweden can now use KATS in the Swedish language by selecting it from the configuration menu.  Available for download from the KATS Home Page here.  All orders and upgrades for the new release of KATS Generation 4 were fulfilled and shipped out between March 27th and March 31st.

 

February 25th, 2007 - KATS Generation 4 released and is now available for download from the KATS Home Page here. 

 

January 25th, 2007 - System requirements for KATS Generation 4 placed on the Download page.

 

October 30th, 2006 - Testing of the new GUI (Graphical User Interface) and the first BETA release have been completed.  During the development of the system some major changes were made which adds considerable new functionality to the system while at the same time making the system easier to navigate. 

 

KATS Generation 4 is more than just a simple upgrade to the popular Generation 3 system.  The new Generation 4 package has an entirely new architecture, including a new Graphical User Interface (“GUI”) that has been designed to make the system easier to navigate and more functional.  The challenge was to develop this new GUI while at the same time not changing the overall feel of KATS in order to allow users of Generation 3 to move into the Generation 4 version without having a new learning curve.  That transition has been very successful and we are now developing the database functions behind the GUI.  It should be noted that KATS 4 will function on present version of Windows software, however is also being developed for the new Windows VISTA products.

 

KATS Generation 4 is being developed in stages: 

  • GUI development: Completed
  • Testing of the GUI and results sent to programming team: Completed Aug 27th - 46 changes/additions
  • Beta 1 development - Completed
  • Testing of Beta 1 - Completed October 5th - Additional 42 changes/addition requests
    • Subsequent to Beta 1 Testing, software engineers made recommendations in regards to the future deployment of the K9 Activity Tracking System in regards to a Web Based system. At this point a decision to redevelop the architecture was made on the recommendation of the development team. During regression tests and high-level architecture reviews by the senior architects ,some issues with DB design were pointed out - which although was 'perfect' for the desktop application, but wouldn't hold in the 'web' version when a decision is made to move into a web based deployment of the system.
    • The team was faced with a decision to either push ahead regardless, or to re-architect the back end DB architecture and the queries. We chose the latter since it will allow this version’s future switch to the web to be flawless. This will add another four weeks onto the development process but will provide for a much more efficient program upon completion and allow for easier future deployment of the system.
  • Beta 2 development - In Progress
    • Beta 2 Phase 1 Testing - Estimated Test Start November 10th - 79 Changes/Addition requests
    • Beta 2 Phase 2 Testing - Estimated Test Start November 17th - Completed
    • Beta 2 Phase 3 Testing - Estimated Test Start November 24th - Completed 64 Changes/Addtion Requests
    • Final Report Format Approved - Completed January 3rd, 2007
  • Final Release Development - Final testing of all phases, development of reports, addition of drawing program and testing of networking and synchronization systems. - Completed February 8th, 2007
  • Final testing now in progress - preparing final install procedures and online download setup. Completed February 25th.
  • Pressing of CD’s/Packaging Process - System placed online for download.  System placed online for electronic download February 24th, 2007.  All orders fulfilled March 31st, 2007.