Changes

In {{TOC right}}'''The making of IMSMA''' started in 1998. It was however not until 2004, to satisfy recurrent requests from our IMSMA users in the field, that the development of a fully re-engineered version was started. Compilation of all lessons learnt and users’ feedback were submitted to a tender competition process. The software development contract was eventually won by FGMwhich today is called [http://www.novetta.com/ Novetta.]Interoperability, Incflexibility and user-friendliness were three of the key words that laid down the foundation for the next generation of IMSMA – called IMSMA NG. This entailed moving away from somewhat rigid processes and methods towards a highly flexible and user-friendly information management system that could meet almost all local needs and requirements.

Interoperability, flexibility and user-friendliness were three ==IMSMA NG==__NOEDITSECTION__ IMSMA V4 achieved this goal in 2006. One of the key words that laid down enhancements was the development and integration of a fully functional GIS component. For this work, the foundation for GICHD was honoured by the next generation presentation of the Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. ([http://www.esri.com/ ESRI Inc.]), [http://www.esri.com/sag/index.html Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) award] to its IMSMA support team. The award citation reads in part ''“By embracing GIS technology, these organisations have made extraordinary contributions to our global society and set new precedents throughout the GIS community.”''IMSMA – IMSMANGV5 released in 2007 provided another major enhancement by including an [[Using_the_Impact_Scoring_Tool_in_IMSMANG|impact scoring tool]] and the possibility of recording [[Victim Summary Window| victim]]s and [[Accident Summary Window|accident]]s separately. This entailed moving away from somewhat rigid processes User feedback and methods towards a highly flexible lessons learnt are constantly evaluated and user-friendly information management system compiled by the [http://www.gichd.org/ GICHD]. Furthermore, the GICHD close collaboration with FGM remains crucial to guarantee that could we meet almost all local our users’ needs and requirementsin the field.

'''IMSMA-NG''' IMSMA v.4 achieved this goal in 2006. One of the key enhancements was the development and integration of a fully functional GIS component. For this work, the GICHD was honoured by the presentation of the Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI), Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) award to its IMSMA support team. The award citation reads in part “By embracing GIS technology, these organizations have made extraordinary contributions to our global society and set new precedents throughout the GIS community.” IMSMA v.5 released in 2007 provided another major enhancement by including an impact scoring tool and the possibility of recording victims and accidents separately. Users’ feedback and lessons learnt are constantly evaluated and compiled by the GICHD. Furthermore, the GICHD close collaboration with FGM remains crucial to guarantee that we meet our users’ needs and requirements in the field. The current software development contract with FGM will be reviewed at the end of 2009. '''==IMSMA Legacy Systems''' ==__NOEDITSECTION__[[Glossary|<abbr title="Information Management System for Mine Action">IMSMA</abbr>]] Legacy Systems refers to older IMSMA versions (v.1V1.x to v.3V3.x) deployed in the field before IMSMANG. Support is still being provided to installations that were performed by the GICHD, and which are currently in use for field operations. New installations can only be undertaken with We strongly encourage all countries using IMSMA Legacy to upgrade to {{IMSMANG, }} due to the close dependence technical age of the application. It is not recommended to use IMSMA Legacy Systems on Microsoft Office Suite and other operating systems then Windows Operating Systems. Read more on Upgrading to IMSMANGXP. IMSMA Legacy Systems requires follows a highly standardised and '''linear ''' workflow. The workflow is started by the Impact Survey or other /Level 1 Survey, which can produce mined areas area reports. Technical or Survey/Level 2 Survey follows, which can produce minefield reports. Then minefield, The minefields are by a clearance or which may have associated progress reports. The process is concluded with a Completion report comes before . Other items are Accident, Victims and MRE. Task and Auxiliary data are also supported from V3.x.===IMSMA V3===__NOEDITSECTION__IMSMA V3 was released in February 2003 and until November 2004 it was regularly updated. It presented a complete new software architecture and each update contributed substantially with new added functionalities and greater flexibility. A module for MRE and improvements of the completion report can be issuedTask tracking tool allowed information managers to account for the work accomplished by each organisation. In addition, in IMSMA V3 the database platform was changed to Microsoft SQL Server. This software improved numerous aspects, from data handling being facilitated through the design of database queries, to client/server configuration, with an increased number of simultaneous users. ===IMSMA V2===__NOEDITSECTION__When IMSMA V2.2 was released in October 2001 the users expressed that it was “significantly better” than V1 as it provided among other new features, included a module for Tasking and more simultaneous users. This was a first attempt to move from the original repository database into a more operational management tool for the mine action programmes. IMSMA V2.2 was adopted by the UN on an international level as the standard for humanitarian demining information.

===IMSMA v.3 was released in 2002 and followed by regular updates over the next couple of years. It presented a complete new architecture and each update contributed substantially with new added functionalities and greater flexibility. This was a first attempt to move from the original repository database into a more operational management tool for the mine action programmes. The task tracking tool allowed information managers to account for the work accomplished by each organization. V1===__NOEDITSECTION__ In addition, IMSMA v.3 started embracing professional database platforms such as SQL Server for its technical development. This software improved numerous aspects, from data handling, being facilitated through the design of database queries, to installations into a networked environment, with an increased number of simultaneous users. More on IMSMA Legacy '''IMSMA First Deployments''' IMSMA v.1.1 V1 was first deployed to the field in Kosovo in 1999. Information management being one focus principle of every mine action programme, the Zurich’s Institute of Technology (ETHZ) had been mandated by the GICHD to develop a standardized standardised software tool to help process and coordinate both data and activities related to mine action. Valuable cooperation from field users resulted in the development of a new version. IMSMA v.2.2 was said to be “significantly better” as it provided among others, a plug-in to ArcVIEW allowing to view information on a map. It was with this newly developed version that IMSMA was adopted by the UN on an international level as the standard for humanitarian demining information.