IWIS to ICIS Conversion
From ICISWiki
Contents |
Introduction
The decision was taken in January 2006 to convert wheat information systems at CIMMYT to an ICIS format. The ICIS implementation of IWIS will be called IWIS3 to indicate the pedigree of wheat information systems at CIMMYT. The first, IWIS1, used the S1032 database on the Vax, the second, IWIS2, currently uses the SQL SERVER database on a Windows Server, and now, IWIS3 uses the ICIS format.
The conversion is to be accomplished with as little disruption to existing applications as possible. This means that the current field book system and international nursery logistics will continue to operate for those that want to use them while the ICIS applications will be available for projects to adopt as convenient, particularly outreach and NARS breeding programs.
Further development and maintenance of the IWIS2 program will be limited to essential functionality and the decision to convert to ICIS includes the commitment to develop the ICIS schema and applications to cover required functionality of IWIS.
IWIS3 Organization
CIMMYT will host the definitive version of the IWI3-CENTRAL database. It will publish this and a web version and make IWIS3 available for stand-alone or web installation at CIMMYT outreach sites or any partner locations. The current version of IWIS3-CENTRAL is in two access databases: IWIS3-CENTRAL-GMS (1.3GB) and IWIS3-CENTRAL-DMS (1.3GB). They are compliant with ICIS version 5.5 and are available for download, together with the ICIS stand-alone applications, on the ICIS ftp site ftp:/ftp.cgiar.org in sub-directory ICIS/Ver5.5_Release. A prototype of the web application is at http://iwis.cimmyt.org. A copy of the web version, currently in a MySQL database, can be obtained from the IWIS team in the IRRI-CIMMYT Crop Information Laboratory (CRIL). A move to a single PostgreSQL implementation for both web and stand-alone applications is anticipated during 2007.
Integration of current IWIS Applications
The current IWIS2 database will continue to work with the IWIS field book system at CIMMYT HQ. It will function as a local IWIS3 database and WPMS and WDMS will be synchronized and uploaded to IWIS3-CENTRAL biennially.
Synchronization of IWIS2-WPMS with IWIS3-CENTRAL-GMS
Synchronization of IWIS2-WDMS with IWIS3-CENTRAL-DMS
Availability of ICIS Applications for Wheat
IWIS3 Local databases can be installed by any breeding or genetic resources projects within CIMMYT or outside. New versions of the central database can be downloaded when available. Projects wishing to publish local data to the central database need to submit their local database to the IWIS team at CRIL who will check database integrity, verify changes to central records and upload the data. The local installation should then use the new central and a refreshed local database. (At present it is convenient if the local installation is not changed during the update process, but if this is very inconvenient then changes can be merged in the refresh process). CIMMYT projects probably need to coordinate updates with the biennial updates of IWIS2 so that information is shared between CIMMYT projects each cycle.
Wheat Genebank Information System
The Wheat Genebank will start to use IWIS3 for Genebank activities from now on. All accessions have been provisionally identified from existing electronic sample and passport information.
Unique CIMMYT introduction numbers have been identified for each accession and published as accession names in IWIS3-CENTRAL. Introduction numbers for samples deemed to be equivalent have been published as Alternative Accession Names and those deemed to be obsolete as Obsolete Accession Names.
The Wheat Genebank will operate though a main local installation IWIS3-WGB. This will maintain germplasm records for each sample of each accession as well as primary characterization, inventory and shipment records.
Since Genebank operations are conducted on a sample basis and biological relationships between samples are recorded by ICIS it will be easy to split or pool accessions as further biological information becomes available.
Information on new introductions into the Wheat Genebank will pass through other local installations (In SIDU or the Genebank and by using IWIS2) where IP status will be controlled and publication ensured. Passport data is attached to the founding germplasm records in IWIS3-CENTRAL and published there. Characterization data will be maintained on a sample basis in IWIS3–WGB but published on an accession basis in IWIS3-CENTRAL.
