Progress 09/01/05 to 08/31/07
Outputs
The ultimate objective of the project was to redesign and rewrite the successful Fed Cattle Market Simulator (FCMS) software to be a wireless, web-based system. OSU contracted with Interworks, Inc. to assist in redesigning and rewriting the software. During the second year, further progress was made in designing computer screens, developing and making modules operational, ordering and configuring hardware (laptop server, laptops for each team, and handheld computers for each packer team), integrating components, and testing the system. The first test of the system occurred in January 2007, recognizing that only the basic structure of the system was operational. Several subsequent tests were conducted between January and September 2007. Interworks has done a wonderful job designing and revising the software, though has encountered several unexpected problems. The wireless feature of the software and constant communication among teams caused numerous unexpected
connectivity issues. Interworks modified the hardware settings, recommended a stronger router, and made a few other minor changes to resolve the wireless issues. To circumvent other communication issues among the 12 feedlot and packer teams, Interworks worked with an Asian software firm. That relationship proved helpful initially, but eventually the third-party code was deemed insufficient to prevent all communication and connection problems experienced in the tests. Interworks then drew on its software library and rewrote the third-party code into the new software. Throughout our tests, when the software functioned properly, it was wonderful and evidence the system will be state-of-the-art when fully functional. It has many features previously not available. Most communications and connection problems have been resolved. The last test, everything worked the best ever but we still encountered a couple connectivity issues which Interworks is resolving. The PIs and software developer
grossly underestimated the software development costs. Interworks is continuing efforts to make the system fully operational. There are aspects of the system which we hoped to incorporate into the new system which have not been possible to date. Additional funding is needed to complete all reports for feedlot and packer teams from the simulator. It was expected we would be able to create databases for automatic output to PowerPoint slides, also an important feature for teaching with the simulator, but that has not been possible to date. Lastly, much of the software code has been written to operationalize the futures market component of the simulator, but has not been tested sufficiently to ensure it is integrated properly into the cash market component of the FCMS. Due to underfunding of software development and unforeseen issues in software development, we have no teaching impacts to report. Plans are to offer the market simulator course as scheduled in 2008. No publications have
resulted from this project to date. Due to delays in software development, a users manual is not yet available nor have we developed teaching materials to accompany the new FCMS system. The search for supplemental funding has begun.
PRODUCTS: Revised Fed Cattle Market Simulator software and new hardware (laptop server, laptops for feedlot and packer teams, handheld computers for packer teams)
OUTCOMES: None
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: None until the system is fully operational.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: Search for supplemental funding to complete important components of the new system.
Impacts
No measurable impacts can be identified at this point.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
Progress 09/01/05 to 08/31/06
Outputs
This is the first progress report for this project. The ultimate objective of the project is to redesign and rewrite the successful Fed Cattle Market Simulator software to be a wireless, web-based system. OSU has contracted with Interworks, Inc. to assist in redesigning and rewriting the software. After several consultation meetings between the project PIs and Interworks staff, we decided to develop a web-based application which can be used in personal computer laboratories, with portable (laptop) computers, and/or handheld computers. Plans are to have a laptop computer for each feedlot team, and two handheld computers plus a laptop for each packer team, all connected to a laptop server. These plans assume sufficient funds are available for all desired hardware. Interworks has designed several administrative, feedlot, and packer screens with regular input from the project PIs. Several screens are operational and integrated into the overall software program. Other
modules are being written and are yet to be integrated. A target date to test the software is early in CY 2007.
PRODUCTS: None
OUTCOMES: None
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: None
FUTURE INITIATIVES: None
Impacts
None
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
|