Getting ready for participation in the April Connectathon involves more than buying a plane ticket to Luxemburg. From January until April, participants complete a set of required pre-connectathon tests. March through mid-April participants share configuration information with test partners, perform internet testing for some profiles, pre-load test data, finish some last-minute pre-connectathon tests, and familiarize themselves with the tests they will be required to run at the connnectathon. The links below contain details for your Connectathon preparation activities.

LINK:	SUMMARY:
Email list for Connectathon announcements	All participants in the EU Connectathon must join this group. It is used for technical and logistical announcements from the EU Connectathon sponsors and technical managers. To subscribe, send an email to EU_connectathon+subscribe@googlegroups.com. Please note that you need to sign in to a Google account (or create one) in order to join this group.
Gazelle	Gazelle is IHE's online tool for managing registration, pre-Connectathon & Connectathon testing.
Detailed Connectathon timeline	Calendar of deadlines from January through April!
Weekly reminders	What should I be working on this week?  Stay on-track with your preparation!
Profiles to be tested	Review the list of profiles to be tested. Please note those that are 'dropped' or which have low registration.
IHE Technical Frameworks	Ensure that you are working off the latest documentation (not an out-of-date version on your hard drive). Final Text Technical Frameworks & Trial Implementation Supplements are published on ihe.net. Some are interested in knowing the specifics of the updates since last year.  Each domain's Technical Committee processes Change Proposals that are then incorporated into Technical Frameworks annually.   Here is a link to each domain's Change Proposals that have been incorporated into updates published in 2014: Cardiology:  no CPs processed in 2014 IT Infrastructure:  ---- CPs:  ftp://ftp.ihe.net/IT_Infrastructure/TF_Maintenance-2014/CPs/3_FinalText/ ---- TI Supplements moved to Final Text:  XCPD, On-Demand Documents Laboratory: ---- no updated TF in 2014; next release in 2015 ---- completed CPs:http://wiki.ihe.net/index.php?title=Laboratory_Technical_Committee#Completed_and_assigned_CPs   Radiology: ---- CPs: ftp://ftp.ihe.net/Radiology/TF_Maintenance/5_Done%20Incorporating/ ---- TI Supplements moved to Final Text:  IOCM
Tool resources	Find an index to IHE test tools, a mapping of tools to profiles, tool documentation, test cases, and tool training material.
ATNA testing & digital certificates	Pre-connectathon & connectathon testing requirements for the ATNA profile.  How to get your digital certificate.
Training resources	Pointers to training & documentation about tools, gazelle & connectathon processes
Profile-specific preparation	In order to make you more efficient at the Connectathon, for some profiles we encourage you to do this preparation in advance.
Network & configuration details	Configurations for your test systems, OID assignments, IP addresses, Connectathon network description
XDS/XDS-I ATNA Tues-Wed partner assignments	On Tues & Wed of Connectathon week, we assign some test partners for infrastructure actors in XDS, XDS-I and ATNA (Audit Record Repositories and Doc Registries & Repositories)
Cross-Community testing	Explanation of multiple affinity domain Connectathon tests for participants testing XDS.b, XDS-I.b, PDQ/PDQv3, PIX/PIXv3, XCA, XCA-I and XCPD The XC* testing schedule used during connectathon week: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18cgWnWi_5HcnVrDG0ygJdihRUnf3DLRPTAz7fbLB-JQ/edit?usp=sharing
Thorough/Supportive testing explained	This page describes the difference between Thorough and Supportive connectathon testing
Connectathon test review	Your connectathon preparation should include reviewing tests you will have to run during Connectathon week.  Here's how.
10 Connectathon tips from the pros	This page shares tips from vendors that have participated in the Connectathon for many years.
Connectathon logistics	IHE Europe staff manages contracts, fees, badges, hotel & shipping, and provides help for all non-technical details regarding the connectathon.
Connecthon FAQ	Answers to questions many first-time participants ask.

   Contact Us! Get help when you need it.

   Go Back! to the EU Connectathon 2015 main page

  IHE Europe manages the schedule and logistics for the event.  Pointers to details are gathered here. If you have questions or need help, please contact the IHE Europe staff at project-manager@ihe-europe.net 

LINK:	SUMMARY:
Connectathon location & dates	Luxexpo (See this link for further details) April 20-24th, 2015 Opening hours:  Monday - Thursday: 8:30am - 6:30pm Friday : 8:30am - noon Testing hours Monday - Thursday: 9:00am - 5:30pm Friday : 9:00am - noon   All participants are required to attend until noon on Friday ! Even though you are fine with your tests, some partners may still need your assistance to finish up their tests.
Detailed Connectathon Schedule	This schedule will help you stay on track from January through April!  We also have the Weekly Reminder page containing technical preparation steps.
Email list for Connectathon announcements	All participants in the EU Connectathon must join this group. It is used for technical and logistical announcements from the NA Connectathon sponsors and technical managers. To subscribe, send an email to EU_connectathon+subscribe@googlegroups.com. Please note that you need to sign in to a Google account (or create one) in order to join this group.
Connectathon Technical Resources	Find details about technical preparation for connectathon:  tools, network, training, and much more.
Policies & Guidelines	IHE Europe publishes these policies for contracting, payment, and participation in the IHE European Connectathon 2015.
Connecthon FAQ	Answers to questions many first-time participants ask.

  Contact Us! Get help when you need it.

   Go Back! to the NA Connectathon 2015 main page

  Prepare your system to test at the Connectathon.  Find configuration, IP address, OIDs and other network information here.

• Configuration for Connectathon test systems / OIDs
• Training on gazelle configuration entry
• Connectathon Network Description
• IP Addresses

Configuration for Connectathon test systems / OIDs

An important Connectathon preparation task for December is to share configuration parameters for your test system (ports, URLs...).

Configuration entry is a two-step process prior to the Connectathon.  We want you to spend your time at the Connectathon working on interoperability issues and not asking your neighbor, "What is the URL of your Repository?"

1. Starting in December, we collect your system's configuration parameters in gazelle.  Due Jan 9.
2. Then, you retrieve your partners' parameters from gazelle and enter them into your system.  Finish this task before arriving at the Connectathon.

Gazelle assigns you default parameters based on the profiles & actors you signed up to test.  Your task is to update those to actual parameter for your test system and marked them 'Approved'.  This is done in gazelle under menu Configuration-->System Configuration.

Hostnames: Each test system in gazelle is given a hostname.  You can allocate additional hostnames for your systems if you need them.  IP addresses will be assigned to hostnames shortly before the Connectathon.

The gazelle proxy:  The config/ports for the gazelle proxy are shown on the gazelle configuration page in red font.  There is separate training provided about use of the gazelle proxy.

Many systems need OIDs as part of their configuration (Patient ID Sources, XDS Source & Repositories, homeCommunityIDs, others...).  These are assigned in gazelle under menu Configuration-->OIDs for current session.

Any questions about configuration parameters should be sent to Lynn Felhofer (...after you have viewed the training ;-) )

Training on gazelle configuration entry

This is the same process as 2013 and 2014 connectathons, with minor enhancements to the gazelle user interface:

• Gazelle user manual: System Configuration topic
• Configuration 101 (.mp4 10 min): entering DICOM and HL7 configuration parameters for your system
• Configuration 102 (.mp4 11 min): special instructions for entering webservices parameters & finding your OIDs
• Configuration 103 (.mp4 7 min): finding and exporting your test partners' configurations

Connectathon Network Description

The connectathon network is the backbone for our interoperability testing.  Please read this before arriving in Cleveland: <available here in December>

 IP Addresses

1. In January, fixed IP addresses will be assigned for all hostnames you configured as part of your configuration work in Dec/Jan (hosts, ports, URLs, ...).
2. You can see your IP addresses using Gazelle:
   -- Configurations -> (Company) : Systems Configuration
   -- Select a system
   -- The hosts and IP addresses associated with that system will display at the top
3. You can see all IP addresses (all systems, including yours, using Gazelle:
   -- Configurations -> Network Configuration Overview
   -- Lower left: Download hosts file

 

  Contact Us! Get help when you need it.

   Go Back! to the NA Connectathon 2015 main page

Welcome! We gather resources here for our wonderful volunteer monitors.

1. Monitor recruitment
2. Monitor Email list
3. Logistics: Travel, Expenses, Non-Disclosure & Confict of Interest forms 
4. WHERE & WHEN? Schedule, Gazelle, Table Assignments
5. WHO & WHAT? Monitors' Profile Assignments
6. HOW? Training Material
7. IHE Technical Framework Documentation
8. Our FAQ for vendor participants
9. Nice video on the benefits of being a monitor
10. Contact us

Monitor recruitment

Any person who would apply for being a monitor at the 2015 European connectathon shall fill out the Monitor Recruitment Form. If you do not have yet an account on Gazelle website, please contact Anne-Gaêlle Bergé, she will create one for you. We receive application still January, 30th.

Monitor Email list

A Google group will be created once we have hired the monitors. If you are part of the team you will be personally invite.

Logistics

Please carefully review the following material:

To be provided at a later time

If you have questions about travel or other logistics, Anne-Gaëlle Bergé  is happy to help.

WHEN & WHERE? Schedule, Gazelle & Table Assignments

The 2015 European Connectathon, IHE's week-long interoperability testing event, is held at Luxexpo.

• Monday April 20, time to be defined: Monitors should check in at the Luxexpo exhibition and congress center and get your monitor packet and badge. If you cannot arrive by 9am, don't worry; you can get your badge at a later time.
• Monday 9:30am: Welcome message to everybody
• Monday 10am: The Connectathon managers will meet with the monitor group for a 20-minute welcome/announcement session at TBD meeting room
• Monday 10:30am: Monitors find their table on the Connectathon floor and get hooked up to the network. The Connectathon managers will then turn their attention to welcoming vendor participants until testing starts at 10am.
• Monday 10am - 5:30pm: Connectathon testing begins promptly at 10am
• Tuesday, April 21
  + 9am - 5:30pm Connectathon testing
• Wednesday, April 22
  + 9am - 5:30pm Connectathon testing
• Thursday, April 23
  + 9am - 5:30pm Connectathon testing
• Friday, April 24
  + 8am - noon Final Connectathon testing session
  Connectathon ends promptly at noon, no more access to Gazelle available. All participants are done!
• Opening and testing hours will be confirmed at a later time.

Off-hours access:
+ Participants in the Connectathon will have support from staff (technical managers and volunteer monitors) during the Testing Session hours above.
+ The Connectathon floor will be open at TBD Tues through Friday. Entry/re-entry will be allowed until TBD each day. No re-entry after TBD. If you happen to be working very late, you will be asked to leave the Connectathon floor at TBD.

Gazelle:

• before the conectathon: http://gazelle.ihe.net/EU-CAT.
• onsite: TBD

Table Assignments show where monitors & tests systems will be located in April.

• Spreadsheet with table assignments: To be published
• PDF of table layout at the Connectathon: To be published

WHO & WHAT? Monitors' Profile Assignments

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1K85O-8-c9Lr0cKtTmPIhy_SiIH9BMSDipAfg8SAjK4E/edit?usp=sharing

HOW? Training Material

We expect additional profile- and tool-specific training to be available here.

Audience	Topic	Date-Time / Duration
Req'd for new monitors Returing monitors are welcome	Connectathon monitor - process overview - Monitor responsibilities - Connectathon process for monitors - Q&A	mp4 | pdf
Req'd for new monitors Returing monitors are welcome	Gazelle walk-through We have two resources for you. - Webex training on how monitors use gazelle & the proxy during connectathon week to work with participants and verify tests.
New monitors	Interpreting the IHE Technical Framework This covers terminology used in IHE Technical Frameworks explains the structure of IHE documentation, and describes IHE's publication cycle. If you've never read IHE documentation before, you will find this background information helpful. (Streaming link) (.mp4)	0:40
New monitors	Connectathon Terminology: Definitions needed to understand using Gazelle during a connectathon (known to most returning participants; highly recommended for new participants & monitors)	0:11
	...
**optional** educational material for monitors	IHE 2014 Educational Webinar Series IHE sponsored its annual educational webinar series during summer and fall. You will find overview presentations for each IHE domain as well as 'speciality' presentations on topics like security, cross-community sharing of healthcare information, etc. These presentations *are not* connectathon-specific. IT Infrastructure domain training material These presentations *are not* connectathon-specific. They are geared to an audience which is familiar with healthcare interoperability problems in general but is not familiar with the way IHE addresses problems or the specific profiles provided by ITI. You may find topics of interest to you in your "day job".	multiple presentations available; duration varies
	Some of you may be interested in the training material we compile for vendor participants, but monitors do not need to review it. We collect participants' material on our Training Page.

 

IHE Technical Framework Documentation

To prepare for the connectathon, we recommend you read the chapter in "Volume 1" for the profiles you are assigned to evaluate. Each IHE domain's Technical Framework is segmented into multiple volumes; Volume 1 contains the use cases the profile addresses, the process flow and a diagram of the actors & transactions in the profiles. The technical details of the transactions are not in Vol 1, and as a monitor, you do not need to be an expert at that level. If you are reading a Trial Implementation Supplement, you will see that the contents are separated into Volume 1 and Volume 2 within the supplement.

If you are not familiar with IHE documentation, we recommend you view the "Interpreting the IHE Technical Framework" video in the training section above before you read the documentation.

IHE publishes its documents, organized by domain, on the Technical Framework page of ihe.net.

Our FAQ for vendor participants

We have put together this FAQ with answers to questions we frequently receive from our vendor participants. You may find it informative.

Video

This is a great welcome to new monitors captured on video. While it is was done by a SIIM board member at the beginning of Connectathon monitor training in 2009, his points about the benefits of your volunteer service stand true today. We invite you to watch this 5 minute video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=6SrkvyB1EPs

Contact Us

For help with logistics (travel, hotel, expenses), please contact TBD
For questions about Connectathon processes & tools, or your assignment, contact Anne-Gaëlle Bergé.

 

Introduction

This document provides policies and guidelines for organizations participating in testing at the IHE European Connectathon ("Participants") designed to help ensure successful testing.

Contacts

• Technical Manager
  
  • Eric Poiseau
• Administrative Manager 
  • Ulrike Mayerhofer-Sebera  (Invoice, Contract)

Goals

Connectathon testing has three specific goals:

1. Testing Participant implementations of actors and profiles defined in the IHE Technical Frameworks

2. Testing and providing feedback on actors and profiles defined in the IHE Technical Frameworks
3. Preparing for any IHE demonstrations in which Participants may also be involved.

Participants are expected to support all three goals as appropriate, to work in a cooperative manner and to show respect for both their peers and the IHE testing process.

Registration

Online Testing Management System (Gazelle)

IHE uses an online testing management system, dubbed "Gazelle," to aid in organizing, conducting and recording the testing process. Prospective Participants begin the registration process by entering information in Gazelle about their organization and the systems they wish to test.

Participants are provided with secure access to their account in Gazelle. Throughout the testing process, they use it to access testing requirements and plans for their systems, to find and communicate with prospective testing partners, to track the successful completion of their testing activities and to receive other communications from the Sponsors and the Connectathon Management Team. Gazelle is also used by IHE Europe and the Connectathon Management Team to record and publish the results of testing. Participants are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves in advance with Gazelle and to check it regularly throughout the testing process for announcements and other information.

Fees 

Connectathon registration fees are based on the number of systems a Participant registers and the number of company/organisation representatives participating to the event. Fees for the IHE 2015 European Connectathon are:

1. Participation fees are proportional to the number of systems being tested. Participation Fee is 4620 Euros per system. This includes 2 company/organisation representatives at the connectathon.
2. There is no domain fee.
3. Registration of  additional company/organisation representatives if possible at the flat rate of 683 Euros for the entire event.
4. Registration of each 2 additional representatives entitles you to an extra table on site.
5. Registration of representatives need to be done at system registration time (before February 27th)
6. Registration of representatives after the deadline of January 15th will be possible at an higher rate.
7. All prices (in Euros) are subject to Luxembourg VAT at 17%  which can be reclaimed by your company.No VAT will be charge if you provide you Intra community VAT number and are a EU company
8. "If the performance of the Agreement by either Party or any obligation hereunder is prevented, restricted, or interfered with by reason of a Force Majeure, the Party whose performance is so affected, upon giving prompt notice in writing within fourteen (14) days after the occurrence of such Force Majeure to the other party and shall act to mitigate the damages caused by such Force Majeure, if possible. If a Force Majeure occurs, no Party shall be responsible for any damages, increased costs, or losses that the other Party may sustain by reason of such failure or delay in performance. The Party claiming Force Majeure shall be excused from such performance to the extent of such Force Majeure event, provided however, that the Party so affected shall take all reasonable steps to avoid or remove such causes of non-performance and shall resume performance of its obligations hereunder with dispatch whenever such causes are removed.Should these events of circumstances continue for more than three (3) months, each Party may lawfully and by registered letter terminate the Agreement, without any compensation to the other Party being due. "
9. Participation fees are non-refundable four (4) weeks after the end of the registration(a recovery of 50% of due fee can be submitted before the end of this period). The period of retraction is one (1) week. Participation fees will be invoiced following the registration.
10. Participation fees or purchase order are due by no later than February 27th 2015. An extra Late Payment Fee (12%) will be charged when payment has not been received on the IHE-Bank Account on February 27th 2015 or purchase order has not been provided. IHE Europe reserves the right to refuse participation in the IHE Connectathon event if Payment of Participation Fees has not been received on the IHE-Europe Bank Account before the actual start of the event.
11. The IHE Review Committee, reserves the right to refuse participation to systems containing combinations of Actors it deems to be inappropriate or not reflective of practical systems architecture. The IHE Review Committee will make this determination in consultation with the Project Management Team. Participants may be asked to revise their applications to limit the number and type of IHE Actors included in a single system.