Volview installtion history and email to Caldwell.

In order for the COE departments including Planning to respond to all subdivision applications, each referral agent within the COE corporation must have software that will allow dwg file types to opened and read.
Two products are available.
First Autodesk, the owners of Autocad, had a free product called Voloview Express. However, in 2004, Autodesk changed their product line to a web based version but they still offer Voloview 3 as the current version that allows the user to open and read dwg files types. This is the product of choice for viewing dwg files.
A second alternative is Bentley Redline, a free product related to Microstation. However, this product is only good for users with Microstation knowledge and is too complicated for planners, tech, and clerical staff in the corporation. Some departments who use Microstation will use this product as the users have the working knowledge. Others inside and outside are using it as well as they have the necessary training to use it to view dwg files.
Planning's request for the newer version of Voloview was initiated on Jan 12 with no success to date. Transportation and Streets and Community Services have also requested this software and the upgrade to Voloview 3. A complete history of this is attached below.
Discussions have been held with Paul Laffin (now retired), Marcel Mudryk and others related to the use of Voloview and the need to move to the latest version was accepted as the best approach. IT did not agree as they have not certified the product even though rqeuested to initiate this through Paul Laffin.
With the advent of Ecirc, the industry is using Autocad's latest version and we will need to upgrade to view newest versions of dwg files.
It was agreed that the Business knows the needs and that the user will accept the risk with the use of the product and no support with be forthcoming from IT. On Feb. 2, 2005, Autodesk states that Volo View 3 can run on either Windows XP Professional or Home Edition. Volo View offers the same level of support for older AutoCAD files as AutoCAD itself does.
For your information there are other viewers that are possilble but since Voloview is an Autodesk product, the choice to stay with the same manufacturer is clear.
Bottom line, where is the current version of Voloview 3 and what is holding up the installation? We cannot wait for IT to certify this product; it is certified by Autodesk and the delays in installation in Planning and in other department has jeopardized the processing of all subdivision applications.
We need to get it installed ASAP.
Below is the history of this issue if you are interested.
May 5, 2004 Autodesk says "Volo View Express is no longer available. You can, however, continue to use the Volo® View Express 2.1 version as long as you would like. The replacement for it is the DWF Viewer, which is available as a free download. However, this new veiwer doesn't offer markup functions. The non-free products are Volo View and DWF Composer. These are not license to be freely deployed and carry a per seat cost. "
On June 17, the original request for installation of Voloview Express was forwarded. We all recognzed that it was the temporary solution as IT insisted that we move forward with the newer version but at that time we were on NT and there was no need to upgrade.
Paul Laffin comments are "Our old NT version of Volo View Express has been certified on XP, at your request, but on an as-is basis. We do not recommend using VVE as the vendor has discontinued this product, has not built a XP version, and does not offer support. While VVE appears to work on XP, there is no guarantee. Worse, is that the file formats handled by this product also have not been updated. While we understand the timeline and cost constraints of the e-Circulation project, please plan on replacing VVE as soon as possible.
Alternatives are: Bentley Redline: has been certified on XP, and is available at no additional cost to City staff and to external organizations.
Autodesk DWF Composer: has been certified on XP, and is available at a cost of about US$99. Autodesk DWF Viewer: has been certified on XP, and is available at no cost. Functionality is limited. Volo View 3: is an upgrade option for Volo View 2 users, and is available at a cost of about US$99. VV3 has not been purchased nor certified. We hope all VV2 users will be able to switch to Redline."
I requested the status of install for Voloview express on Oct 7, 2004. The SMS Package installed Oct 7.after XP was installed. On Nov 9, Paul confirms all installations of Volvoview Express are complete in Planning.
In Dec, I requested confirmation about Voloview Express installation across the corporation. Pauls' comments are: There has been no deliberate change at this end. VoloView Express (VVE) may be installed for any eCirculation participant. We are directing all others to RedLine from Bentley. I have asked our Certification team-lead to update our documentation to more clearly show the distinction. I believe the documentation is the source of the current problem. Please ask your folks to mention eCirculation and your name explicitly in their install requests to the Help Desk. Alternatively, you could make the install requests on their behalf. Both should succeed now."
Don Read wrote to reply to Paul (Jan 7.) "Some areas have been directed to use Bentley but the version of Bentley Redline is a far more complex tool than Voloview. Voloview is easy to use and can by worked by all planners, etc. Please advise the Help desk to install Voloview over Bentley. Thanks for your assistance in this matter. I would also like to investigate the installation of the newest version of Voloview to upgrade all the copies that have been installed. Can you provide direction for the software upgrades process across the corporation and who would I go to to identify costs, purchase, etc. Is the newest version certified? Looking forward to your reply. :-) "
Pauls reply to Don Read Jan 7 "The bad news is that no newer version of VoloView Express exists. It is a dead product according to the vendor, AutoDesk; hence our difficulty making it install and run on XP. As I understand their advice, AutoDesk recommend also migrating off the old native .dwg file format and onto .dwf, the newer web enabled file format. Then the VVE replacement is easy as they support DWF Composer. Gord, would you please work with Don and other AutoCad users to devise a long term plan for e-Circulation and the City in general. In the interim, the current VVE can be installed and used where essential for your project. I will remind our folks. "
On Jan 12, 2005 , I requested the order and install the Voloview 3. The order is sent to help desk complete with the cost center.
On Jan 26, I requested the status of the request with this respons;" The ticket number is CHG1282. There wasn't a lot of information in the ticket about what is going on with it, so I have asked the person working on the ticket to give you a call to let you know what is happening."
Feb 2. second request for status is forwarded. Response is as follows: "Asset Management is waiting on receiving a quote from the company to find out how much the licenses will cost. When they receive the quote, they will send you an expideniture approval form. The ticket is now a High priority, so hopefully this won't take too much longer."
Questions arise as to the use of the old product installed in 2004 in an email from Gord Stang; "Can you please send Susannah Parlee a description of the problem you're having with the current version of voloview (express) that you're currently using? She wants to make sure the problems are resolved with the new version (voloview 3)."
Email from Gord Stang Feb 3 Don, they're saying it's waiting for expenditure approval. That would have gone to Debby. Can you check with her to see if she's approved the expenditure yet? Thanks.
Debby completed the requested form on Feb 8, the day she received it.
On Feb 11, Gord and I discussed the delay and he sys that it is not certified as of yet and that will occur week of Feb 23. The creation of the sms package to deliver it to the 50 plus users is the appropriate way to go rather than single installs at each work station but he will need us to pay OT to have the package created next week for deployment on the week of Feb 23.
FYI, Gord is away the week of Feb 14.