SEDACS-a client/server approach to TPS development

The C-17 Support Equipment Data Acquisition and Control System (SEDACS) Test Program Set/Test Requirements Document (TPS/TRD) development system was upgraded from a host-based Honeywell/Multics mainframe system to a new client/server system with Internet connectivity. Reliability, flexibility, and supportability were the requirements for the new system. The combination of the client/server model and commercial software met these requirements by exploiting fast and inexpensive hardware and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software such as word processing and project and circuit analysis software. Greater efficiencies were realized by reducing the required time needed to train users, develop TPSs, and prepare supporting documentation. Quality was improved by incorporating configuration management tools and integrated spell checking into the applications suite and by designing around a centralized database. This paper briefly describes how we developed our new system and how we migrated from our existing mainframe (or legacy) system to a client/server system.