The Monthly EDGE Release

Each month we bring you a new release of the EDGE system which can include new functionality, bug fixes and updates. Before the release goes onto EDGE Live and Demo we first deploy it to the Beta environment a month before for user acceptance testing. Users are given the chance to test any updates or fixes made which are listed on release notes sent out to our local admins, usually on the day after the release. The following month is when the Beta release will go onto both EDGE Live and Demo so if there are any problems we ask our users to let us know before this date via our support line edge@soton.ac.uk

Helpful points:

• The release window is usually on the evening of the first Monday of every month (or the first working day after a bank holiday)

• Release notes are sent to local admins explaining the updates made

• Contact our support email edge@soton.ac.uk for any queries or problems with the release

• EDGE Live & Demo are always in sync

• EDGE Beta is one version ahead of Live and Demo

The EDGE Environments

There are three different environments of EDGE available to our users, these being: EDGE live, EDGE Demo and EDGE Beta. Here’s a quick guide on when to use each environment:

EDGE Live

The live system used by EDGE and NHS staff. No testing, training or demonstration must ever be carried out on this site.

http://www.edge.nhs.uk

EDGE Demo

Designed for demonstration and training purposes in a safe and secure environment. This is also used by EDGE and NHS staff and is maintained as a like for like system comparable to the live system.

http://edgedemo.edge.nhs.uk

EDGE Beta

Designed for development and testing of functionality updates and this again is used by both the EDGE team and NHS staff. All development work is deployed here first before making its way onto Live and Demo. This means that Beta is one version ahead of the current live and demo systems. The main use of Beta is for user acceptance testing of the new functionality and any testing executed by the EDGE development team.

Prior to the release onto Beta, testing is completed internally to make sure that all enhancements and bug fixes are fit for purpose and suitable for the Live and Demo environments. We then allow users to check new features in Beta to allow an extra level of confidence with our system.

http://edgebeta.edge.nhs.uk

If you have any queries on any of these environments, please contact us at edge@soton.ac.u

EDGE upgrade

EDGE is due for an upgrade to a newer infrastructure within our secure hosting provider. In order for this upgrade to take place EDGE needs to be taken offline and will not be accessible from 17:00 BST today for approximately 2 hours.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this and recommend that users stop using EDGE at around 16:50 to prevent any unsaved work from being lost.

Thank you,

The EDGE Team

Using EDGE Beta & Demo

When to use which system....

As you may be aware, we provide our users with a BETA version of the EDGE application (http://edgebeta.edge.nhs.uk).  Historically, this has been available for users to demonstrate and train on the EDGE application, as well to test out new functionality before we deploy to the live system.

The BETA version is primarily designed for development and testing of functional changes which have been completed by the EDGE development team.  Due to the nature of its intended purpose, we have identified that the BETA version is inherently unsuitable for demonstrations as we continue to introduce new features and maintain the existing application.  As BETA is a pre-production system, there is also the risk that defects may have been introduced to the application during the software development process.  In addition, the EDGE BETA database may also need to be removed from service without notice for routine upgrades and maintenance, and as such the EDGE team cannot guarantee system availability or that data entered on to the BETA system will remain in place.

We recognise that users need a reliable platform for demonstration and training purposes.  We have therefore created EDGE DEMO which can be accessed at http://edgedemo.edge.nhs.uk. We have created this using a direct copy of the BETA system in order for you to continue to use your existing username and password in the new DEMO system. Additionally, any data you had previously recorded on EDGE BETA will also be available.

Going forward: We would advise you to use EDGE DEMO for demonstration and training purposes as this will allow you to carry out such activity in a safe, secure and reliable dedicated training environment which will be an exact match of the live system. Please remember that EDGE BETA will now only be available for the purposes of User Acceptance Testing, and as such may be unavailable without notice.

If for any reason you are unable to access EDGE Beta or EDGE Demo then please email edge@soton.ac.uk and we are able to set you up with an account.

Do you have your ORCID ID?

What is an ORCID identifier?

Open Research and Contributor ID

An ORCID identifier aims to solve the name ambiguity problem in research by creating a central registry of unique identifiers for individual researchers as well as creating a linking mechanism between ORCID and other current researcher ID schemes. It aims to allow researchers to easily and uniquely attach their identity to research objects such as articles, experiments and datasets. ORCID records hold non-sensitive information such as name, email, organisation and research activities.

About ORCID

ORCID is a non-profit organisation supported by a global community of organisational members. These include publishers, funders, stakeholders and professional associations. It is governed by a Board of Directors and supported by a professional team of people.

How to get your ORCID ID?

ORCID promotes a way of distinguishing yourself in three easy steps:

1. Register (Get your unique ORCID identifier in 30 seconds)

2. Add your info (You can enhance your ORCID record with your professional information and link to your other identifiers.

3. Use your ORCID ID (Include your ORCID identifier on webpages, grant applications and in research workflows.)

Register for a free ORCID ID here.

ORCID & EDGE

The ORCID identifier will be making its way onto the EDGE system soon…watch this space!

If you are interested in finding more about ORCID then please visit their website here.

Support Updates

Microsoft support update

Microsoft will be ending support from 12/01/2016 for older versions of Internet explorer. This means that from this date only the most current version of IE available for a supported operating system will receive security updates and technical support.

For more information and to check out Microsoft’s official announcement click here.

EDGE support update

Following on from this we would like to remind you that we only offer reduced support for EDGE in Internet Explorer 7.

We strongly recommend using IE11 or the latest version of Chrome for the best EDGE experience.