Special Projects Report

April 23, 1998 

To: Region 3 Executive Committee Members/Region 3 Committee Members 

Cc: Dale Caston, R-3 Del/Dir; Dick Riddle, R-3 Del/Dir-Elect; Don Hill,
PAOC Chair 

From: Vernon Powers, Special Projects Coordinator 

Subject: Special Project Status, 04-98 

The following is a report on the status of 1998 Region 3 Special Projects.
The report includes a brief status of; the Electro-Technology Industry
(ETI) Database-Phase 6, the Student Membership Initiative (SMI), the
electronic Bulletin Board System (BBS)-Phase 4, the Automated Consultants'
Network (ACN)-Phase 2, and the Automated Resume Database (ARD)-Phase 1. 

1. Electro-Technology Industry Database (ETI Database)-Phase 6: 

Status: During the first quarter of 1998 the UAB ETI Database Design Team
under the leadership of Mr. David Kujawski further enhanced the web
interface by adding new and improved capabilities. The new user interface
has an improved look and utilized tabs at the top of the screen thus
greatly simplifying system use. Among the attributes are; faster searches,
improved search front-end, administration for users (editing of contact
data), improved on-line user-prompts, and improved look and feel. 

The ETI Database includes over 43,000 companies that employ
electro-technology professionals in the United States, along with over
150,000 points-of-contact. Access to the Database is available to all IEEE
members at no cost via the www at https://sandbox.ieee.org/r03/eti/ ,
https://www.ieee.org/eti or via e-mail at eti-info@eng.uab.edu. 

The improved system will be demonstrated during the PACE session on
Saturday, April 25 in Orlando, Florida. The Special Project is on plan and
under cost. Plans: During the third quarter CY '98 the company data will be
updated. 

2. Student Membership Initiative (SMI): 

Status: The Special Project as described in the 1998 Project plan is a
repeat of the 1997 Special Project. Currently, the project is to be
conducted by the UAB IEEE Student Branch in August. The near term goal of
the Special Project is to hand-off the project to RAB Student Activities
Department thus freeing up Region 3 volunteers for other projects. The
Special Project is on plan and under cost. 

3. Electronic Bulletin Board System (BBS)-Phase 4:
Status: The Region 3 electronic Bulletin Board System (BBS) is now being
used to archive Region 3 correspondence and reports. The data is still
being maintained in the original BBS format for ease of use. The
transition of the BBS is behind plan but under cost.

4. Automated Consultants' Network (ACN)-Phase 2: 
Status: The Phase 2 1998 task is a continuation of the ACN 1995 Phase 1
activity. There has been considerable discontinuity on the ACN Special
Project and the project is currently being assessed. No expenditures
to-date. 

5. Automated Resume Database (ARD)-Phase 1:
Status: No cost incurred to date. No activity to date. Project requires a
student branch champion. 

The primary problem to-date has been the failure to secure student branches
or professional volunteers to champion the projects. There is a need to
focus on identifying project champions and if anyone knows of a student
branch that might be interested please have them contact me. 

A more detailed report will be presented at the Region 3 PAOC Meeting on
April 25th. If you require additional information please contact me ASAP or
see me at the April 25th Region 3 Caucus. 

Regards, 

Vernon Powers