FollowUp is a general and flexible system to test how well your data systems are working. It is an end to end test system to test response time as well as error frequency. 

It can also be used to collect and schedule data from computer systems. All the applications you are using can be tested and the result will be stored in a logfile and can be watched on the screen during run.

The principle is that it will call your applications over and over again and log the result in a file. The tests shall be done in a way as equal to real life as possible. The result can then be read into Excel (for example) and presented in statistical or graphical form.

You can also decide to get sms, alarm or similar during run time, if many errors occurs in a row. You decide yourself how often your applications will be called and the acceptable response times. The following is included in the system: Some small programs to make calls to the most usual applications to test. We call them plug-ins. 

Example of plug-ins: Lotus Notes, Browse, Exchange, File copy, Outlook, Ping. A main program with the following tasks: Calls the plug-ins with its input parameters. Input parameters are read from a file. Gets the test results from the plug-ins (response time and result). Shows the result on the screen during run time. Logs the result in a logfile.

Calls alarm- or sms-program or others after many predicted occurances in a row. Some programs to set up the calls to the plug-ins and to decide time and frequency of the calls. As we can´t know all your needs and systems to test we have a model and a description of how to make your own plug-ins. Many examples are also included.

The plug-ins can be made in any programming languages but the examples included are made in Visual Basic 6.0.  Example: Advanced Web Browse, 3270, Exchange, Lotus Notes, Outlook, Ping, File Copy, MQ, IBM Personal Communication, Attachmate, Central log, Telephony, Measurements, Questions system.

Limitations:

· Only useable after 10 am