  Issue 1.3, January 2021
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After a very challenging 2020, we welcome this new year and hope for health and happiness for all! |
As of January 26, 2021, IFMS activity since it launched on October 1, 2020:
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17 ITOs using IFMS
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340,533 items issued to customers through 4,179 order transactions
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436,918 items updated in inventory through 1,536 inventory transactions
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687 household certifications updated
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74 new households created
There are now 17 ITOs using the Integrated Food Management System (IFMS) to support their food distribution operations. Earlier this month, five ITOs successfully launched to IFMS as part of the third transition group. The Transition Team is currently working with the next group, who will begin using IFMS in February.
At the start of each month through 2021, a new group of ITOs will move from AIS to IFMS. The Transition Team is actively recruiting ITOs who are ready to transition to IFMS. Please contact the Transition Manager to reserve your spot today!
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Overview of the Transition Program
IFMS transition is designed to be an easy process to ensure a successful implementation of IFMS for the ITOs. It follows clear step-by-step instructions along with constant guidance and support by the Transition Team. Some features of the transition process include the following:
- Self-Paced e-Learning Introductory Course
- Access to the IFMS training environment to reinforce and build upon the training sessions and practice using IFMS to prepare for Go Live
- Flexible virtual training sessions to reduce impact on daily operations and allow different staff members to attend at different times
- Support Specialist assigned to each ITO for duration of transition process to ensure a smooth transition
- Post-transition support to provide timely responses for any questions or issues ITOs may have
Access to IFMS
Please note that IFMS requires all users to have a unique login. In preparation for an organization’s upcoming launch, the Transition Team will collect information for each staff member to create the user account(s) in IFMS.
Each user will also need their own active eAuthentication (eAuth) login, which provides the user name and password to access IFMS. Users who do not currently have their own eAuth account (such as for FFAVORS or WBSCM) will receive instructions to create one when their IFMS user account is ready. Please note that eAuth requires a unique email address, and users must be able to access this email account to complete the activation process.
To help ensure a smooth and successful transition to IFMS, please confirm that each staff member has their own email account and that they can access it.
Continuous Enhancements
IFMS is a new software application, which initially replaces the functions of the Automated Inventory System (AIS). Additional features will be introduced in future releases.
The IFMS development cycle is designed to produce a quality solution that is thoroughly tested and defect-free. In addition to previously planned activities, the development team continues to evolve and enhance IFMS based on feedback from the user community. Release cycles have been shortened to respond quicker to user feedback; however, each release cycle has limited capacity. All suggestions for enhancements are reviewed for complexity, user impact, and relationship with other tickets when planning for upcoming releases.
IFMS Hot Tips
Helpful instructions and tips for common IFMS questions can be found in the Learning Academy. Current users can access the following linked instructions when logged in to IFMS:
Keyboard Hot Keys
Did you know you can perform functions in IFMS without using a mouse? Using the following keyboard hot keys may save time on the data entry screens:
Alt + S - For new Issuance Transaction: Navigate to the Site field to make a selection. For Issuance Data Entry “Lookup View” (Store site only): Turn Scanner Mode on or off.
Alt + L - Move the material to the shopping cart after the search and selection of the material.
Alt + Q - Enter a quantity in the shopping cart for the last added item.
Alt + P - Save and print an issuance transaction.
IFMS Training
The Transition Team has developed tutorials, presentations, and training curriculum along with reference materials to support ITOs as they become familiar with and transition to IFMS. These resources will be provided throughout the transition period and are also available to IFMS users through the Learning Academy (login required). During the transition program, new ITOs are encouraged to log in to the IFMS training environment to become familiar with IFMS and practice performing transactions before their Go Live.
FNS Website
Additional resources to learn more about IFMS are available on the IFMS webpage. This includes information about recent IFMS releases, demonstration videos, and an overview of the transition program. General information is updated to remain current, and new resources are added on a regular basis.
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