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Configure DSS Settings
Updated over a week ago

Before you begin configuring the DSS module in Penelope please ensure you have:

  • Purchased a DSS license key

  • Received your agency’s DSS Web Service credentials from DEX

  • Received your agency’s testing DSS Web Service credentials from DEX (optional but recommended)

Before you will be able to successfully synchronize with the DEX portal you will need to configure Penelope by following the instructions below. To do this you will need to be logged in with a System Administrator account.

DSS Setup Page

The DSS Setup page in Penelope is divided into two sections:

  • Configuration, Default Settings and Integration

  • Communication Details

Configuration, Default Settings and Integrations

You will need to be logged in with a System Administrator account to access the DSS Setup page.

1. In the System Setup section click DSS.

2. On the DSS tab click Edit.

3. On the Edit DSS Setup screen configure the following fields as per your agencies requirements:

Setting

Instructions

Additional Information

Synchronization Enabled

Click to enable automatic synchronization between Penelope and DSS.

Synchronising Penelope with DSS allows you to submit DSS information to DSS as well as update Outlet Activities, Reference Tables, Domains and Scores.

You can choose to enable automatic synchronisation (by clicking the Synchronization Enabled setting) or you can manually synchronise Penelope with DSS using the Sync option in the Communication details box. Manual synchronisation is typically recommended only if there is a disruption to the submissions or if Synchronization Enabled is not enabled.

If automatic synchronisation is not enabled, records will build up in the queue and will not be submitted to DSS until enabled or the Sync option in the Communication Details section is clicked.

Note: You should avoid enabling synchronisation for Sandbox databases if you do not have PreProduction credentials to avoid sending test data to DSS.

Set Penelope as Primary Information System

Click to indicate that Penelope is your primary method of submitting records to DSS (as opposed to manually submitting records to DSS or through a third-party).

If Penelope is the Primary Information System, the following fields are not needed for submission and are therefore hidden or excluded:
- The Consent to Providing Details fields on the Individual Profile will be hidden.
- The First Name, Last Name, Addr 1 and Addr 2 fields are not included in the Client Submission
- The Search Client First option cannot be enabled.

Search Client First

Click to search for a client in DSS prior to having Penelope add the client.

This option directs Penelope to first search existing client records in DSS database for all individuals prior to adding them as a new client. Note: This option is only available where Penelope is not the Primary Information System. If you select both Set Penelope as Primary Information System and Search Client First, you
will receive the following error: “The Search Client First setting cannot be enabled when DSS is set as the Primary Information System.”

Default Case Service to In Partnership Approach

Click to enable the Partnership Approach features by default for Case Services.

You can choose whether the Partnership Approach is enabled by default when creating a new Case Service. You can modify individual Case Services to indicate whether they are Partnership Approach-based services or not. Further, enabling the Default Case Service to In Partnership Approach makes Partnership Approach fields available in Penelope Reports where applicable.

Display Home Summary

Click to allow workers with an IntakeMgmt or Clinical Worker account to see the Submission List on their homepage in Penelope.

Send Alert To

Select which Worker Category should receive notifications for DSS error messages. Note: This field is required. You cannot save your DSS configuration settings until you’ve chosen a Worker Category.

Ensure that the Worker Category chosen has been populated with the list of users you’d like to receive the message as sending messages to empty Worker Categories may result in performance issues.

Communication Details

Prior to completing any further DSS configuration tasks you must receive a successful ping from the DSS server.

When you ping DSS, Penelope establishes a connection to the DSS server which in turn enables you to synchronize the following:

  • Outlet Activities

  • Reference Tables

  • Domains, Scores

Once you have received a successful ping from the DSS server you will then need to update your Outlet Activities, Reference Tables and Domains/Scores. While updating your Outlet Activities, Reference Tables, Domains/Scores your screen may grey out for a short period while Penelope attempts to successfully complete the process.

After completing your updates and any Case Services have been configured you will be able to successfully submit records to DEX.

You also have the option to manually synchronize your DSS records if needed. You may need to do this if you turned off synchronization.

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