Check Your expectations: Testing self check in a consortium environment

Abstract

In the spring of 2016, the California State University (CSU) System began the process of creating formalized self-check testing procedures for campuses utilizing self-check in anticipation of our switch to Alma in June of 2017. Ten of 23 CSU campuses have self-check machines in service. Each campus presented its own unique challenges for migrating to a new system including various self-check vendors, options on self-check machines, authentication procedures, and usage of automated materials handling systems. Our group of five was tasked with creating standardized goals and procedures for linking our self-check systems to Alma despite myriad configurations.

Our goal for this presentation will be to share experiences and provide ideas on how to create formalized testing procedures in a consortial environment. We will discuss how we communicated during the project, documented progress, as well as provide insight into troubleshooting problems that arose during the testing process.