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Run Date: NOV 02, 2021                     Designation: PREN*3.1*8
Package : PREN - PHARMACY PRODUCT SYS-NATL    Priority: Mandatory
Version : 3.1         SEQ #6                    Status: Released
                  Compliance Date: DEC 03, 2021
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Subject: TRM Compliance Updates for PPS-N Enterprise Application

Category: 
  - Informational
  - Other

Description:
============

 The Pharmacy Product System - National (PPS-N) is a Web-based application
 that provides the ability to manage pharmacy-specific data across the VA 
 enterprise ensuring that all facilities are using the same base data 
 for their operations. It allows approved national VA personnel to easily, 
 quickly, and safely manage the VA National Formulary which directs which 
 products (such as medications and supplies) are to be purchased and used 
 by the VA hospital system.  
  
 The purpose of this informational PPS-N patch is to address TRM 
 (Technology Reference Model) compliance in two areas:
  (1) Updates for the log4j logging framework
  (2) Updates required for compatibility with the latest version of 
 WebLogic application server, v12.2.1.4.
 There are no changes to user-visible functionality. This is a backend
 update to meet TRM compliance standards only.
  
 JIRA Task Id
 -----------------
 Number: PPSN-75865
  
  
 Problem:
 --------
 PPS-N application failed compliance as the applications server 
 infrastructure is subject to upgrades of Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS)
 software to maintain TRM compliance. One of these upgrades requires
 installing the latest TRM compliant version of the WebLogic application
 server, v12.2.1.4.
  
 Resolution:
 -----------
 PPSN-75865 -This informational patch for the PPS-N application that
 addresses TRM (Technology Reference Model) compliance in two areas: (1)
 Updates for the log4j logging framework; (2) Updates required for
 compatibility with the latest version of WebLogic application server,
 v12.2.1.4.
  
 First, the log4j logging framework has been upgraded from v2.10 to the 
 latest TRM approved version, v2.13.3. Additionally, the PPS-N application 
 build process has been updated to include the log4j framework 
 dependencies (i.e., .jar files) within the application .ear file for
 deployment. This eliminates the need to store these log4j
 framework dependencies on the application server's file system, which in
 turn eliminates all conflicts with the WebLogic COTS software's usage of
 the same framework.
  
 Second, the applications server infrastructure is itself subject to 
 upgrades of COTS software to maintain TRM compliance. One of these 
 upgrades requires installing the latest TRM compliant version of the 
 WebLogic application server, v12.2.1.4. Minor changes are required to the
 PPS-N build files (e.g., pom.xml, etc.) to produce an application ear file
 that is fully compatible with the new version of WebLogic. These build
 file changes are also included in this patch.
  
 Test Sites:
 -----------
 User acceptance testing successfully completed by the Business Office.
  
  
 Software and Documentation Retrieval Instructions:
 -------------------------------------------------
  
 The PREN*3.1*8 Informational Patch is available on FORUM. The PREN*3.1*8
 documentation can be found on the VA Documentation Library (VDL) at: 
 https://www.domain.ext/vdl/
  
 Documentation can also be obtained at:
 https://download.vista.domain.ext/index.html/SOFTWARE.
  
 The documentation includes:
  
 Title                                   File Name
 ------------------------------------------------------
 PPS-N v3.1.8 Deployment, Installation,  PREN_3_1_P8_DIBR.pdf
 Backout & Rollback Guide (DIBR)
 PPS-N v3.1.8 Troubleshooting Guide      PREN_3_1_P8_TG.pdf 
  
 Installation Instructions:
 --------------------------
 This is a Web Application JAVA Build. This is a Centralized Server
 promotion and no installation is required at local sites.  

Routine Information:
====================
No routines included.

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User Information:
Entered By  :                               Date Entered  : APR 12, 2021
Completed By:                               Date Completed: NOV 02, 2021
Released By :                               Date Released : NOV 02, 2021
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Packman Mail Message:
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No routines included