The Workgroup Management System Guide contains information for installing and maintaining multiple ProblemTracker projects (workgroups). The functions in the Workgroup Management System are distinct from the Administrative operations within a particular database. The Administrator's Guide contains information for operations within each workgroup, such as user administration and workflow settings.

Supporting Multiple Projects
It is common for a bug tracking system to be called upon to handle the requirements of several independent projects. Different product development teams, or perhaps even marketing and customer support organizations may wish to use the system at the same time, with slightly differing needs. ProblemTracker supports multiple project development, including independent customization for each project - on a single server.

Shared Data Record And Workflow
If projects all share a common schema (data record) and workflow, any number of projects can be supported using a single ProblemTracker workgroup installation. The Product field (which can be re-named via the Administrator interface) can be used to distinguish records for each project. This is usually fine for smaller organizations and web site development where the same product development methodology is applied to a small number of products. In this case it is recommended that you install either the Software Development (ptdev) or Web Site Development (ptweb) workgroup, depending upon whether you are developing software or a web site.

Independent Data Record And Workflow
Another common requirement for larger organizations is that is that each project requires a customized workflow or schema (data record). Each project can be configured as a single workgroup (database). ProblemTracker supports this by allowing you to install any number of ProblemTracker workgroups on the same server. Each workgroup can be independently customized and accessed via a unique URL. And, each workgroup has its own database. This allows each workgroup to operate separately. And, it simplifies the process of moving a workgroup to a new machine (without affecting the existing workgroups) should organizational changes or load balancing requirements necessitate such a move.

Workgroup Management System

The Workgroup Management System (WMS) is the administrative interface for maintaining multiple ProblemTracker workgroups. Within WMS, the following actions can be performed for each workgroup:

• Add
• Edit
• View
• Delete
• Manage Aliases
• Move to another location
• Migrate to another database type
• Repair

These options can be selected clicking on the Buttons on the Button Bar or by clicking on the icons to the left of each workgroup listed on the Workgroup Management System Home Page.

It is recommended that you temporarily disable any anti-virus software while you perform configuration in the Workgroup Management System (WMS). This is suggested so that your anti-virus software will not prevent WMS from performing operations such as copying files, running scripts, configuring your web server, setting file permissions and registry entries. Your anti-virus software can be reactivated safely after you have completed any necessary WMS configuration.

The Workgroup Management System has an Admin section where additional operations can be performed for each workgroup:

• Administer Users and Change Password
• Synchronize ProblemTracker Anonymous Account (PUSR4hostname) Password in WMS
• View Common Parameters
• Log Workgroup Information
• Block and Unblock Workgroups
• Manage Web Server Security
• Manage Workgroup Database Operations
• Upgrade Workgroups from Version 3.x to Version 4.1
• Upgrade Workgroups from previous 4.x version to Version 4.1

To perform an operation in the Admin section of the Workgroup Management System, select an option using the radio button to the left of the option desired, then click on the Continue button.

Individual sections of this Help documentation can also be accessed from within the Workgroup Management System by clicking on the Help link in the upper right corner of each page.