3

Helpful Hints from a Site Expert

by Jeff Wright

If the site expert is

involved in all stages

of the new installation

your end result will be

a more cohesive and

smoother running

network.

Jeff Wright explains how playing games helps develop mouse movement skills.

We asked Jeff Wright, a site expert who

in all stages of the new installation your

ment. They must be able to  outline 

recently installed a network and trained

end result will be a more cohesive and

the flow of events and be able to do this

staff at Railway Postal Clerks FCU in

smoother running network.  It's easier to

in such a way that you understand what

Philadelphia, to pass on some counsel to

solve a problem if one company has

steps are involved.  Get a flow chart of

our clients who are looking for a site

completed 80% of the installation and it

events leading up to the network going

expert. Here's what he had to say:

helps avoid the issue of who's responsi 

live, so that there are no obstacles (or

ble.  The network is the heart of any

just minor ones) to overcome.  Identify

What should credit unions look for in

good computer system; everything else

which parties are responsible for each

a site expert?

will be relying on this system, including

part of the new system. This includes

your data processing software.

the credit union, site expert, data pro 

I feel that the most important aspect

cessing company and any third party

of choosing the best site expert is for

As far as qualifications, there is no

software vendors that might have specif 

them to be able to describe and commu 

replacement for  experience , especially

ic requirements of the network. Also,

nicate the complexities of a computer

in this industry.  Ask how many installa 

communicate with other credit unions

system in a simplified, easy to under 

tions they have successfully completed

that have gone through this process.

stand manner. With the huge amount

and the number of years they have been

They can refer you to a knowledgeable

of technical jargon this industry creates,

in the industry. Also, ask for and call

expert that they have used.

the credit union needs to understand,

their references.  Ask the potential site

 how is all this technology going to help

expert if they are trained as a Microsoft

How can the credit union prepare for

my credit union grow and become more

Certified Professional (MCP). The most

the site expert's arrival?

efficient?     I  feel  that,  many  times,

p re f e r red  is  a  MCSE  (Mi c ro s o f t

experts in the computer industry take

Certified Systems Engineer) or a similar

The credit union can help in collect 

for granted that everyone has an under 

Mi c rosoft  certification,  which  would

ing as much information about how

standing of how computer systems oper 

mean that they are familiar with the

their  network  should  be  configure d .

ate.

common standards of building a reliable

Know what software you have, version

computer system.

numbers, release numbers and find as

Another important point is to find

much documentation about the needed

one who can perform many or all the

How can the credit union be sure that

configuration of the software that might

duties necessary to install a network of

they have made the right choice for a

be installed on the network.  Doing this

computers.  Ideally, they can configure

site expert?

will lower the cost of the site expert and

your new system, acquire the equipment

get the credit union more involved from

needed, install the equipment and train

Two  important  factors  here  are ,

the beginning.  Be sure that older soft 

the credit union to properly use this new

organization and communication.  All

Continues page 11

equipment.  If the site expert is involved

networks require good project manage