All SPOCs:
As discussed at the last CARES-Live Meeting in September, we will now be using a newly added ‘Role’ on the CWDS website (cwds.ca.gov) as our foundation for the CARES-Live Quarterly Meeting attendees list. This new ‘Role’ allows a user to self-select it to be added to the new CARES-Live Quarterly Meeting series, beginning in January 2025.
In an effort to form this list and perform some distribution list cleanup, we kindly ask that you follow the steps detailed in the attached ‘CARES-Live Profile – Create Account’ document, to add the role to your CWDS website profile.
Please complete this by 5:00 PM on November 27, 2024, so that we have sufficient time to create the new CARES-Live Quarterly Meeting series and send out the invite to everyone who wants to participate in the meeting.
Action Required
Please share this information with any relevant individuals in your organization who may be interested in attending this meeting series. If you have any questions or issues on the process to add this role to your profile, please reach out to Customer Relations.
CWDS Bulletins
CWDS Website Update – Revised CWDS Planning Roadmap
All SPOCs:
We are pleased to announce an update to the CWDS Planning Roadmap posted on the CWDS public website. The updated roadmap illustrates planned releases in the following systems: CARES-Live, CARES RFA and CWS/CMS. The updated planning roadmap includes CARES Version 1 (V1) milestone descriptions, critical training and implementation activities, and Extended User Scenario Testing (EUST) periods. In addition to the CWDS Planning Roadmap, we are posting a high-level roadmap focusing on the CARES V1 Project Lifecycle.
Accessing the new page:
Action Required
If you have any questions, need clarification, or have any accessibility issues, please do not hesitate to contact CWDS Communications.
We are pleased to announce an update to the CWDS Planning Roadmap posted on the CWDS public website. The updated roadmap illustrates planned releases in the following systems: CARES-Live, CARES RFA and CWS/CMS. The updated planning roadmap includes CARES Version 1 (V1) milestone descriptions, critical training and implementation activities, and Extended User Scenario Testing (EUST) periods. In addition to the CWDS Planning Roadmap, we are posting a high-level roadmap focusing on the CARES V1 Project Lifecycle.
Accessing the new page:
- The CWDS Planning Roadmap and high-level CWS-CARES V1 Project Lifecycle is located under the ‘Stakeholder Resources’ dropdown, under the ‘Project Reporting’ link.
- Under ‘Project Reporting’ you will find the ‘CWDS Planning Roadmap & Timeline’ link.
Action Required
If you have any questions, need clarification, or have any accessibility issues, please do not hesitate to contact CWDS Communications.
CWS/CMS: Business Objects Issue and Workaround
All SPOCs, Technical Contacts, and CAD Contacts:
An issue has been discovered with the current version of Business Objects used with the CWS/CMS application.
Issue Description:
Whenever a numeric field, such as government entity code, is used as a condition in a data provider (query), the query will run correctly the first time. Whenever the data provider is edited, the system will return a type mismatch error and require the user to remove and re-add the condition. The query will then run, as long as it is not edited again.
This only appears to be an issue with numeric fields; character fields, such as Client Name, do not experience this issue. Once the query is run, it operates normally as long as the user does not go back and edit the data provider. The user can refresh the data and save, as well as edit the report formatting, without issue.
Issue Resolution:
A patch level update will be required to resolve the issue. The CWDS Office and IBM are evaluating the next Business Objects patch to determine if it will resolve the issue, without generating any new issues. There is currently no estimated time of when the patch will be implemented. Additional updates will be sent out as new information is received.
Workaround:
When Business Objects informs the user of a type mismatch error after a numeric field is used as a condition in a data provider, and the data provider is edited, then the user must remove and re-enter the condition. The query will run, without issue, as long as the data provider is not edited again.
Action Required
Until the issue is corrected with the appropriate patch update, users will need to perform the workaround listed above, by removing and re-entering the condition when they receive a type mismatch error message.
An issue has been discovered with the current version of Business Objects used with the CWS/CMS application.
Issue Description:
Whenever a numeric field, such as government entity code, is used as a condition in a data provider (query), the query will run correctly the first time. Whenever the data provider is edited, the system will return a type mismatch error and require the user to remove and re-add the condition. The query will then run, as long as it is not edited again.
This only appears to be an issue with numeric fields; character fields, such as Client Name, do not experience this issue. Once the query is run, it operates normally as long as the user does not go back and edit the data provider. The user can refresh the data and save, as well as edit the report formatting, without issue.
Issue Resolution:
A patch level update will be required to resolve the issue. The CWDS Office and IBM are evaluating the next Business Objects patch to determine if it will resolve the issue, without generating any new issues. There is currently no estimated time of when the patch will be implemented. Additional updates will be sent out as new information is received.
Workaround:
When Business Objects informs the user of a type mismatch error after a numeric field is used as a condition in a data provider, and the data provider is edited, then the user must remove and re-enter the condition. The query will run, without issue, as long as the data provider is not edited again.
Action Required
Until the issue is corrected with the appropriate patch update, users will need to perform the workaround listed above, by removing and re-entering the condition when they receive a type mismatch error message.
CWS-CARES Scheduled Maintenance - Nov.1, 2024 | 6 AM - 8 AM
All Pilot County RFA Implementation Coordinators and SPOCs:
The CWS-CARES team has scheduled maintenance activity for the CWS-CARES production environment for Friday, November 1, 2024, beginning at 6:00 AM and concluding at 8:00 AM. During the maintenance window, the CWS-CARES Resource Family Approval (RFA) Application Submission, Review, and Approval Process will be accessible for pilot counties Contra Costa, Fresno, Placer, and Santa Clara.
During the maintenance window, document related functionality in the CARES application will not be accessible.
Action Required
No action required from end-users during this maintenance window.
If users experience any issues with the CWS-CARES, please follow your county process for reporting issues. CWS-CARES County Administrators may contact the CARES Service Desk through the CWDS ServiceNow Customer Support Management (CSM) Portal. Alternate methods are phoning 1-855-292-3444 or via email at Servicedesk@cwds.ca.gov during normal business hours. You may also email after hours, and a Service Desk representative will contact you the next business day.
The CWS-CARES team has scheduled maintenance activity for the CWS-CARES production environment for Friday, November 1, 2024, beginning at 6:00 AM and concluding at 8:00 AM. During the maintenance window, the CWS-CARES Resource Family Approval (RFA) Application Submission, Review, and Approval Process will be accessible for pilot counties Contra Costa, Fresno, Placer, and Santa Clara.
During the maintenance window, document related functionality in the CARES application will not be accessible.
Action Required
No action required from end-users during this maintenance window.
If users experience any issues with the CWS-CARES, please follow your county process for reporting issues. CWS-CARES County Administrators may contact the CARES Service Desk through the CWDS ServiceNow Customer Support Management (CSM) Portal. Alternate methods are phoning 1-855-292-3444 or via email at Servicedesk@cwds.ca.gov during normal business hours. You may also email after hours, and a Service Desk representative will contact you the next business day.
CWS/CMS in Read-Only during Daylight Saving Time Change - Nov. 3, 2024 | 1 AM - 2 AM
All SPOCs and Technical Contacts:
The CWS/CMS application will be in read-only mode for one hour during the time change from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time on Sunday, November 3, 2024. To prevent duplicate time stamps, users will not be able to save to the database starting at 1:00 AM, after the clocks have been moved back from 2:00 AM. The application will return to the normal read/write mode at 2:00 AM Standard Time.
This will not affect CWS-CARES or CARES-Live.
Action Required
Contact the IBM Help Desk (800-428-8268) if the CWS/CMS application has not returned to read/write mode after 2:00 AM Standard Time.
The CWS/CMS application will be in read-only mode for one hour during the time change from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time on Sunday, November 3, 2024. To prevent duplicate time stamps, users will not be able to save to the database starting at 1:00 AM, after the clocks have been moved back from 2:00 AM. The application will return to the normal read/write mode at 2:00 AM Standard Time.
This will not affect CWS-CARES or CARES-Live.
Action Required
Contact the IBM Help Desk (800-428-8268) if the CWS/CMS application has not returned to read/write mode after 2:00 AM Standard Time.
CWS/CMS: Virtual Private Network (VPN) Outage - RESOLVED
All Dedicated County SPOCs and Technical Contacts:
October 22, 2024 UPDATE: The California Department of Technology (CDT) has reported that Cisco AnyConnect Virtual Private Network (VPN) is now accessible. CDT continues to investigate and work on this issue, but VPN access appears to be stable. Users should now be able to access VPN. CDT and the CWDS Infrastructure team will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that the connection continues to remain.
Please notify the IBM Help Desk (800-428-8268) if you encounter an issue with connecting to VPN.
________________________________________________________________________
Multiple counties and the CWDS Project office have reported issues with connecting to the Cisco AnyConnect Virtual Private Network (VPN). The CWDS Infrastructure team is working with the California Department of Technology (CDT) to resolve this issue.
There is currently no estimated time of resolution for this problem. Additional communications will be sent out as new information is received.
Action Required
If users experience any issues with CWS/CMS, please follow your county process for reporting issues or you may contact the IBM Boulder Help Desk at 1-800-428-8268.
October 22, 2024 UPDATE: The California Department of Technology (CDT) has reported that Cisco AnyConnect Virtual Private Network (VPN) is now accessible. CDT continues to investigate and work on this issue, but VPN access appears to be stable. Users should now be able to access VPN. CDT and the CWDS Infrastructure team will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that the connection continues to remain.
Please notify the IBM Help Desk (800-428-8268) if you encounter an issue with connecting to VPN.
________________________________________________________________________
Multiple counties and the CWDS Project office have reported issues with connecting to the Cisco AnyConnect Virtual Private Network (VPN). The CWDS Infrastructure team is working with the California Department of Technology (CDT) to resolve this issue.
There is currently no estimated time of resolution for this problem. Additional communications will be sent out as new information is received.
Action Required
If users experience any issues with CWS/CMS, please follow your county process for reporting issues or you may contact the IBM Boulder Help Desk at 1-800-428-8268.
CARES-Live Scheduled Maintenance - Oct. 24, 2024 | 6 Pm - 8 PM
All SPOCs and Technical Contacts:
The CARES-Live team has scheduled maintenance for the CARES-Live application. The maintenance is scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. During this scheduled maintenance the CARES-Live team will focus on application maintenance changes that are not visible to CARES-Live users.
NOTE: Users will not be able to access the CARES-Live application during the scheduled outage.
Action Required
If users experience any issues with CARES-Live, please follow your county process for reporting issues. CARES-Live County Administrators may contact the CARES Service Desk through the CWDS ServiceNow Customer Support Management (CSM) Portal. Alternate methods are phoning 1-855-292-3444 or via email at Servicedesk@cwds.ca.gov during normal business hours. You may also email after hours and a Service Desk representative will contact you the next business day.
The CARES-Live team has scheduled maintenance for the CARES-Live application. The maintenance is scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. During this scheduled maintenance the CARES-Live team will focus on application maintenance changes that are not visible to CARES-Live users.
NOTE: Users will not be able to access the CARES-Live application during the scheduled outage.
Action Required
If users experience any issues with CARES-Live, please follow your county process for reporting issues. CARES-Live County Administrators may contact the CARES Service Desk through the CWDS ServiceNow Customer Support Management (CSM) Portal. Alternate methods are phoning 1-855-292-3444 or via email at Servicedesk@cwds.ca.gov during normal business hours. You may also email after hours and a Service Desk representative will contact you the next business day.
Thank You for Your Feedback – Core Constituent Survey Results Overview
Core Constituent Survey Participants:
Thank you for participating in our second quarterly Core Constituent Survey and sharing your valuable insight on the CWS-CARES Core Constituent meetings.
For your awareness, we’ve attached a 1-page summary of the survey results, highlighting some of the feedback we received from participants.
We appreciate your contributions and look forward to using your input to continue improving the Core Constituent meetings.
Action Required
No action required at this time.
Thank you for participating in our second quarterly Core Constituent Survey and sharing your valuable insight on the CWS-CARES Core Constituent meetings.
For your awareness, we’ve attached a 1-page summary of the survey results, highlighting some of the feedback we received from participants.
We appreciate your contributions and look forward to using your input to continue improving the Core Constituent meetings.
Action Required
No action required at this time.
CWS-CARES Scheduled Maintenance - Oct. 24, 2024 | 6 AM - 8 AM
All Pilot County RFA Implementation Coordinators and SPOCs:
The CWS-CARES team has scheduled maintenance activity for the CWS-CARES production environment for Thursday, October 24, 2024, beginning at 6:00 AM and concluding at 8:00 AM. During the maintenance window, the CWS-CARES Resource Family Approval (RFA) Application Submission, Review, and Approval Process will be accessible for pilot counties Contra Costa, Fresno, Placer, and Santa Clara.
During the maintenance window, document related functionality in the CARES application will not be accessible.
Action Required
No action required from end-users during this maintenance window.
If users experience any issues with the CWS-CARES, please follow your county process for reporting issues. CWS-CARES County Administrators may contact the CARES Service Desk through the CWDS ServiceNow Customer Support Management (CSM) Portal. Alternate methods are phoning 1-855-292-3444 or via email at Servicedesk@cwds.ca.gov during normal business hours. You may also email after hours, and a Service Desk representative will contact you the next business day.
The CWS-CARES team has scheduled maintenance activity for the CWS-CARES production environment for Thursday, October 24, 2024, beginning at 6:00 AM and concluding at 8:00 AM. During the maintenance window, the CWS-CARES Resource Family Approval (RFA) Application Submission, Review, and Approval Process will be accessible for pilot counties Contra Costa, Fresno, Placer, and Santa Clara.
During the maintenance window, document related functionality in the CARES application will not be accessible.
Action Required
No action required from end-users during this maintenance window.
If users experience any issues with the CWS-CARES, please follow your county process for reporting issues. CWS-CARES County Administrators may contact the CARES Service Desk through the CWDS ServiceNow Customer Support Management (CSM) Portal. Alternate methods are phoning 1-855-292-3444 or via email at Servicedesk@cwds.ca.gov during normal business hours. You may also email after hours, and a Service Desk representative will contact you the next business day.
CWDS Website Update
All SPOCs:
We are pleased to announce an update to the CWDS public website beginning October 22, 2024. As part of our ongoing effort to provide you greater insight into upcoming meetings for the CWS-CARES Project, we are replacing the CWS-CARES Meeting Matrix with a 3-month view of upcoming CWS-CARES meetings. The CWS-CARES Meeting Calendar captures recurring meetings hosted and facilitated by the CWS-CARES Project staff. These meetings include the CARES Implementation Meeting, CARES workgroup meetings, and Core Constituent demonstrations and Service Area meetings. This calendar will be updated monthly and is subject to change based on project needs.
2. On the ‘CWS-CARES Users page’ you will find the CWS-CARES Meeting Calendar link.
The intent of these changes to the CWDS website is to build awareness on CWS-CARES project updates and promote user engagement. These changes will be implemented on October 22, 2024.
Action Required
Beginning October 22, 2024, review the CWS-CARES Meeting Calendar, on the CWDS website, to view the recurring CWS-CARES meetings scheduled for the following three months.
We are pleased to announce an update to the CWDS public website beginning October 22, 2024. As part of our ongoing effort to provide you greater insight into upcoming meetings for the CWS-CARES Project, we are replacing the CWS-CARES Meeting Matrix with a 3-month view of upcoming CWS-CARES meetings. The CWS-CARES Meeting Calendar captures recurring meetings hosted and facilitated by the CWS-CARES Project staff. These meetings include the CARES Implementation Meeting, CARES workgroup meetings, and Core Constituent demonstrations and Service Area meetings. This calendar will be updated monthly and is subject to change based on project needs.
1. The CWS-CARES Meeting Calendar page will be located under ‘Stakeholder Resources’ dropdown to ‘CWS-CARES Users.’
2. On the ‘CWS-CARES Users page’ you will find the CWS-CARES Meeting Calendar link.
3. The CWS-CARES Meeting Calendar link will display the following. Click on the CWS-CARES Meeting Calendar to download the PDF.
Action Required
Beginning October 22, 2024, review the CWS-CARES Meeting Calendar, on the CWDS website, to view the recurring CWS-CARES meetings scheduled for the following three months.
If unable to find a specific Bulletin, please contact Communications.