> ### Before you begin

> Examining current resource considerations and future operational needs will help you make some preliminary decisions about resource monitoring before you set up specific monitoring criteria in Fathom Management.

> For example, consider these points as you think through your current resource-related operations and processes:

> - Which employee at your company is typically notified that a resource is down, and what method do you typically use to contact that individual? Is it possible that there is too much downtime between a resource trouble report and the response from personnel assigned to handle a given problem? Do problems stack up because you do not currently have a system in which these problems are prioritized and queued for the right person's attention?
> - What is your typical weekly resource load? Can you define the peak load times for your applications? If so, do you have procedures in place to address the higher-than-average strain these events place on your resources? Similarly, do you also experience idle time? Do you adequately plan this slower-than-normal time into your schedule so that you routinely run particular processes at this time?
> - Do you have a scheduling process that helps you not only run your applications, but also automatically notify interested personnel when these jobs are done? Can these processes also alert you to a problem and take predefined, corrective action?

> As these questions suggest, there are considerations you must address as you move from your present approach for determining your resource needs to systematically analyzing and fulfilling these needs using Fathom Management.

Copyright © 2004 Progress Software Corporation www.progress.com Voice: (781) 280-4000 Fax: (781) 280-4095