The first field test of IMSMA V4 got underway with the installation of the system at the UN MACC in Burundi in November. Installation of the new system was performed by the local IMSMA operations staff using a streamlined and simplified procedure designed for non-technical users of the system. Despite some minor problems the installation team (Béatrice Niyonsaba, Christian Muheto, Philippe Sindayirwanya) seemed well satisfied with the process.
Advance preparation and close cooperation with the MACC in Burundi helped the IMSMA Regional Support Team to make sure that the new system included all of the data previously collected and strored in IMSMA V3. The installation in Burundi is the first in a series of pilot tests that will be conducted over the next several months to verify the operation of V4 in the field before it goes into general use.
The results of the field tests will be used to guide the development team as it moves forward with its work on V4. While some of the lessons learned during the pilot test may find there way into short term updates to the system the majority will be incorporated over a longer period of time. The next major update to the Pilot and Evaluation Test system is currently scheduled for the summer of 2006.
