Re: [IUG] Who's Doing What

[Elizabeth Thomsen <et at noblenet dot org>]

I have submitted an enhancement request in the past (and will again) that
would give us the ability to enter codes for environmental variables into
templates.  For example, we have an inputter variable field in most record
types, and we would like the initials of the current user to automatically
be written into this field.  There are several variables we'd want to be
able to use in this way-- login, initials, date, time, etc.

We also want to be able to use these codes in a subfield automatically 
appended to various note and message fields.  In our consortium, for 
example, we really want to know which library entered notes in patron 
records, and when.  We ask people to add their initials and date to the 
end of notes, but it would be easier and more accurate for the system to 
automatically append this information.  After all, the system always knows 
what date and time it is and which login and initials are currently 
active-- it ought to be able to just write this information into records.

Elizabeth Thomsen

On Mon, 13 Feb 2006, Byron C. Mayes wrote:

> Greetings,
> 
> Question: Is there any automatic way to determine who's doing what -- an
> audit trail as it were, by login or authorization -- in such modules as
> Acquisitions? 
> 
> Background: Way back when our system was set up -- before me or our current
> Head of Acquisitions -- it was decided to use a 1-character Fixed-Length
> Code as an "operator" code in acquisitions. Basically, the person creating
> the order record enters his/her assigned character in the field so we know
> who did it. 
> 
> I'd be aghast to learn that the system couldn't keep an audit trail
> automatically (and part of me wonders if this wasn't just a carry-over from
> the previous system). Besides that, it's a drain. When someone leaves the
> job or arrives to start anew, we have to remove/assign this code for them.
> Seems like unnecessary overhead to me.
> 
> Now that we've had the system for eight years, there has to be a better way.
> Is there any way to trace things in any of these modules, particularly
> Acquisitions, without a manual entry? I know that fine collection is tracked
> by authorization, per Innovative. Is this true for Acquisitions? What about
> logins? 
> 
> Thanks for any assistance.
> 
> Byron
> 
> 


-- 
Elizabeth Thomsen, Member Services Manager
NOBLE: North of Boston Library Exchange
Danvers MA 01923
et at noblenet dot org