ProCal Track Manual
ProCal Track Manual
Version 5.00
ProCal-Track Laboratory Management Software: User Manual
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................................ 7
General Overview................................................................................................................................................ 7
Information Stored............................................................................................................................................... 8
INSTALLATION ......................................................................................................................................... 9
Update Settings and Database Files................................................................................................................... 9
Run ProCal Track.............................................................................................................................................. 11
USB Key ............................................................................................................................................................ 12
60 Day Evaluation Period.................................................................................................................................. 12
UPGRADE INFORMATION FOR USERS OF PROCAL......................................................................... 12
Database Upgrade ............................................................................................................................................ 12
Reset Status Codes .......................................................................................................................................... 12
STEP-BY-STEP INTRODUCTION TO PROCAL TRACK....................................................................... 13
Create An Instrument ........................................................................................................................................ 13
Goods Inwards .................................................................................................................................................. 13
Calibration (bypassing ProCal) ......................................................................................................................... 13
Process Paperwork ........................................................................................................................................... 13
Despatch ........................................................................................................................................................... 13
OPERATING PROCEDURE / OVERVIEW.............................................................................................. 14
Receiving an Instrument.................................................................................................................................... 14
Goods Inwards .................................................................................................................................................. 14
Quotations ......................................................................................................................................................... 14
Calibration ......................................................................................................................................................... 14
Paperwork/Process Instruments ....................................................................................................................... 14
Despatch Instruments ....................................................................................................................................... 14
Return to Customer ........................................................................................................................................... 14
Calibration Interval and Customer Notification.................................................................................................. 15
Further Calibration Outcomes ........................................................................................................................... 15
Other Delays ..................................................................................................................................................... 15
STATUS CODES ..................................................................................................................................... 15
Status Code Transitions .................................................................................................................................... 17
MENU FUNCTION REFERENCE ............................................................................................................ 17
CREATE AN INSTRUMENT.................................................................................................................... 18
Description ........................................................................................................................................................ 18
Manufacturer ..................................................................................................................................................... 19
Model Number................................................................................................................................................... 19
Serial Number ................................................................................................................................................... 19
Cust Ref............................................................................................................................................................. 19
Procedure No. ................................................................................................................................................... 19
PAT Test code................................................................................................................................................... 19
Site .................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Department........................................................................................................................................................ 19
Location ............................................................................................................................................................. 19
Cal Source [Calibration Source]........................................................................................................................ 20
Date Acquired.................................................................................................................................................... 20
Date Scrapped .................................................................................................................................................. 20
Instrument Cost ................................................................................................................................................. 20
ADVANCED EDIT.................................................................................................................................... 20
Certificate Number ............................................................................................................................................ 21
Editing Signatories ............................................................................................................................................ 22
Editing Traceable Instruments .......................................................................................................................... 23
BATCH CREATE INSTRUMENTS .......................................................................................................... 24
Model Number / Manufacturer / Description ..................................................................................................... 24
Edit .................................................................................................................................................................... 24
Serial Number(s) ............................................................................................................................................... 24
Batch Number ................................................................................................................................................... 24
Print label(s) ...................................................................................................................................................... 25
Company Name / Address / Order Number ...................................................................................................... 25
No. (Number of Instruments)............................................................................................................................. 25
Turn-Around ...................................................................................................................................................... 25
Cal. Int. (Calibration Interval) ............................................................................................................................ 25
Status / State..................................................................................................................................................... 25
Service Type / Certificate Type ......................................................................................................................... 25
SEARCHING FOR INSTRUMENTS ........................................................................................................ 26
View / Edit Instruments...................................................................................................................................... 26
SEARCH FOR JOB SHEET .................................................................................................................... 27
Job Sheet – Job Info ......................................................................................................................................... 28
Job Order Details .............................................................................................................................................. 28
Link PDF Order ................................................................................................................................................. 29
View Docs ......................................................................................................................................................... 29
Status ................................................................................................................................................................ 29
Use .................................................................................................................................................................... 29
Booked in By ..................................................................................................................................................... 29
Service Details .................................................................................................................................................. 29
Sub Contract Details ......................................................................................................................................... 30
Run Report ........................................................................................................................................................ 30
Demo / Loan Details.......................................................................................................................................... 30
Job Sheet – Cert Address ................................................................................................................................. 31
Job Sheet – Returned By .................................................................................................................................. 31
Job Sheet – Despatch Address......................................................................................................................... 32
Job Sheet – Accessories................................................................................................................................... 32
Job Sheet – Print Menu..................................................................................................................................... 33
Job Sheet - Service Details ............................................................................................................................... 34
Job Sheet - Service Details – Services ............................................................................................................. 34
Job Sheet - Service Details – Parts Used ......................................................................................................... 35
Stock Selection.................................................................................................................................................. 36
Stock Selection – By Type ................................................................................................................................ 36
Stock Selection - Search ................................................................................................................................... 36
Engineer’s Report.............................................................................................................................................. 38
Job Comments .................................................................................................................................................. 38
History ............................................................................................................................................................... 39
Delete Instruments ............................................................................................................................................ 39
GOODS INWARDS.................................................................................................................................. 40
Certificate Address ............................................................................................................................................ 40
Customer Address............................................................................................................................................. 41
Despatch Address ............................................................................................................................................. 41
Instrument Details ............................................................................................................................................. 41
Service Type ..................................................................................................................................................... 41
Cert Type [Certificate Type] .............................................................................................................................. 41
Job No. / Order No. ........................................................................................................................................... 41
APPENDIX ............................................................................................................................................... 78
Scanning Documents .........................................................................................................................................78
Add Scanned Customer Order...........................................................................................................................78
Data Paths..........................................................................................................................................................78
Certificates Database........................................................................................................................................ 78
Contacts Database............................................................................................................................................ 78
Digital Photos .................................................................................................................................................... 78
Sales Database................................................................................................................................................. 78
Stock Database................................................................................................................................................. 78
PDF Scans ........................................................................................................................................................ 79
Status Codes......................................................................................................................................................79
Service Type Codes ...........................................................................................................................................79
Certificate Type Codes.......................................................................................................................................79
Use Codes..........................................................................................................................................................80
Advanced Edit ....................................................................................................................................................80
Certificate Number ............................................................................................................................................ 81
Editing Signatories ............................................................................................................................................ 82
Editing Traceable Instruments .......................................................................................................................... 83
Editing Drop Down Menus/ “…” .........................................................................................................................83
CONTACT US.......................................................................................................................................... 84
Telephone ..........................................................................................................................................................84
Fax......................................................................................................................................................................84
Email...................................................................................................................................................................84
Introduction
General Overview
ProCal-Track is an easy to use Windows™ based program which is used to monitor and control information
on instruments and equipment that are calibrated or serviced by a calibration laboratory.
Full records on calibration and service histories can be kept together with the age, cost, owner status etc.
This program will save time on filing, sorting and retrieving paper records by having all necessary Calibration
Information in one place.
Job control: The software can be used to keep track of the progress of a job in the calibration process from
the moment the instrument is booked in, to the point of despatch, this can greatly reduce the time wasted
looking for paper work and enables the current status of the laboratory’s work load, or an individual job’s
condition to be viewed almost instantaneously on a PC’s screen negating the need for a paper based
system.
Integration with ProCal: If ProCal is used to perform calibrations, the status of instruments as they are
tested will be automatically available in ProCal-Track. The two programs together provide an efficient
workflow for a calibration laboratory. Also if the software is made accessible to the network, then information
can be accessed from any computer terminal within the company/laboratory.
Structured approach to job control reduces the chance of mistakes and helps with quality approvals.
A Searchable database with a wide range of reports provides access to job histories, allows searches for
specific groups such as calibration recall letters and certificates etc.
Microsoft Access database formats are used by the software ensuring compatibility and secure storage of
information.
Networked information can be readily available anywhere from the office to the calibration laboratory.
Recall Letters and over due calibration notices can be viewed as a list with comments or printed out for
direct posting in windowed envelopes.
Crystal Reports is a piece of software that is used to edit the report and certificate templates used by
ProCal-Track. This software is not provided by Transmille and is not needed to use the preset templates; it’s
only used to edit templates. Crystal Reports if purchased only needs to have one licence for the workstation
used to edit the templates not for every machine that uses the templates.
Any of the above options can be selected from the menu at the top of the screen. Simple search options
allow instruments, or groups to be identified, e.g. list all the instruments of a same type or owner.
Information Stored
Instrument Details:
Manufacturer
Model
Serial Number
Purchase Date
Price.
Identity / Plant Number
Calibration Details :
Calibration Period
Procedure
Calibration Date
Certificate Number
Job details :
Job Number
Date Despatched
Work Carried Out
Job Comments
Order Number
Customer / User :
Contact Name
Address
Telephone
Mobile
Fax
Account Number
Comments.
Instrument Status :
In use
Calibration Requested
Calibration Overdue
Lost
In Lab
Returned for Repair
Calibration Complete
Installation
The CD provided includes both ProCal and ProCal Track software, support files, uncertainty templates,
procedures and reports. An example database is provided to evaluate the software.
Step through the licence information and program group setting, then click Install to proceed :
If upgrading between major releases of ProCal-Track the settings, databases and the procedures will need
to be updated to accommodate the improved features and capabilities of the latest version whilst preserving
existing data.
The ProCal-ProCal-Track Migration Utility should be loaded by selecting the following shortcut :
ProCal Root and ProCal-Track Root must be set to the location of ProCal and ProCal Track on the machine.
The default value will be correct for most installations.
By default all update operations will be performed. Click on “Advanced” to select which operations are
performed during the update. Deselect the checkboxes for steps that do not need to be performed.
If upgrading an installation of several workstations, shared data need only be updated once. On the first
workstation perform a complete update process:
On subsequent workstations only the local data needs to be updated. Select Step 1, Step 4 and Step 5 –
ProCal Initialisation Database. This avoids duplicated updates of shared data and saves time:
After clicking “Update” the Database Converter will upgrade old databases to use the new format. This may
take some time if a large library of procedures is present.
Note: That the updated files may not be compatible with older versions of ProCal or ProCal-Track.
When complete the program will display a summary of the conversion process. A log file will be generated
that can be examined if any problems are found after the upgrade.
To start ProCal-Track, click the Windows Start Button, click on “All Programs”, then “Transmille Software”,
and then “ProCal-Track”.
ProCal-Track will be started. A splash screen will show the status of the program.
USB Key
ProCal-Track requires a USB key dongle to be attached to the PC in order to run. If a key is present but is
not detected try plugging the key into another port. If the key cannot be found, please contact a Transmille
representative at [email protected] or on +44 (0) 1580 890700
Database Upgrade
If the version of ProCal and ProCal-Track being installed is newer than the prior version of ProCal the
existing database may need to be updated to hold extra information. Follow the instructions in the section
Installation - Update Settings and Database Files to complete the upgrade.
Note: That for functions to work correctly the Status codes must be correct prior to using ProCal-Track for the
first time (only required if ProCal has been in use previous to purchasing ProCal-Track).
Create An Instrument
Select the menu item File->Create Instrument
Enter Test Instrument Details (See Create An Instrument Section for more details)
Enter Serial Number “Test001”
Select “Cert Address” tab (to the right of the “Inst Details” tab currently visible)
Enter Test company details
Enter Job Number as “TestJob”
Close the Job screen
Goods Inwards
Select the menu item Utilities -> Goods Inwards
Enter the serial number “Test001” and more input fields will be revealed
Select Service Type
Select Certificate Type
Select Cal Interval
Select Turn around
Click the green “Book In” button
Process Paperwork
Select the menu item Utilities ->Process Paperwork
Locate the Instrument in the list of items with calibration completed
Click “Print Paperwork”
Despatch
Select the menu item Utilities -> Despatch Instruments
Locate the Instrument in the list of items ready for despatch
Click “Despatch Instrument”
Receiving an Instrument
If the calibration laboratory has not previously calibrated a particular instrument, then its details will need to
be entered manually. Create a new instrument on the system (see Create An Instrument Section). Enter
information about the instrument, such as manufacturer and model number and the customer who owns the
instrument. If the customer is new, their details must also be added to the system (see Edit Contact
Database Section), a photo of the instrument can also be added to aid identification when booking in
instruments (see appendix).
Goods Inwards
Once the details of an instrument are present on the system, a job entry may be created. Select an
instrument and enter the details of the type of work to be carried out (see Goods Inwards Section) and any
extra information such as included accessories. Once booked in the instrument is marked as received and is
recorded on the system on the Priority List, which tracks how long each instrument has been in the
laboratory and the number of days until the calibration or repairs need to be completed.
Quotations
Customers may require a quotation to be sent before approving work on an instrument (this is specified
during goods inwards processing). If an instrument is in the “Awaiting Quote” state no work can be
performed until confirmation has been received from the customer.
Calibration
Received instruments will be marked as “Awaiting Calibration” when ready to be worked on. At this point the
instrument can be accessed in ProCal and a calibration run started. Depending on the results of the
calibration the instrument may follow one of several paths through the system. The most straightforward is a
successful calibration, which will result in the instrument marked as “Calibration Done”. Further Calibration
Outcomes are discussed later in this section.
Paperwork/Process Instruments
Once an instrument has been calibrated a number of documents will need to be printed before the
instrument can be returned to the customer. The key official document is the certificate of calibration. A
service log, invoice and instrument labels can also be printed automatically. With the paperwork complete
the instrument is ready for despatch.
Despatch Instruments
As customers may send in several different instruments for calibration, the ProCal-Track despatch process
allows instruments with a common despatch address to be sent out in a single delivery. When a job is
selected for despatch, other instruments that can be successfully included in the same delivery are listed.
Return to Customer
Once an instrument has been returned to a customer the instrument status is reset to its original state –
“With Customer”. This status will not change until the instrument is due for recall.
Note: That an instrument will only be removed from the due list if it is returned and booked in, or if the status
code and the recall period are manually changed in the View/Edit Instrument menu.
From time to time it may become necessary to remove instruments that are not returned to keep the list
manageable. To change the status code and recall period double click on the instrument and edit the details
as required.
Please note that if the recall period is not changed then the instrument will reappear on the list the next time
the Due/Overdue function is run, using 999 for the recall period will stop the instrument becoming due for
calibration, without deleting it from the system.
If an instrument cannot be brought to its specified accuracy, or if damage to the instrument is noticed during
the test, the instrument will need to be repaired. Procal-Track can handle both internal and external repair of
instruments and allow for recalibration once the instruments have returned from repair. To easily recall an
instrument it is wise to note down the certificate number.
Other Delays
An instrument’s progress through the system may be held up for a variety of reasons. An instrument could
be damaged during transit, or if a job is cancelled, or a repair may be added depending on the customers
requirements. A calibration or repair may encounter an unexpected problem causing the instrument to be
held awaiting the customer’s response.
Status Codes
Every instrument on the system has a status associated with it. ProCal-Track uses these status codes to
keep track of an instrument’s condition and whereabouts. Status codes change automatically when certain
events happen, for example the following process takes place when a known instrument becomes due for
calibration, the process begins with the status ‘With Customer’.
For the majority of system use, knowledge of these codes is not required as all of the above changes are
taken care of by the software. For reference these status codes can be found on Page 17 and the Use
Codes on Page 26.
These status codes are available and can be manually set in unusual circumstances, such as “instrument
lost”. A full list of codes available is given below:
With Customer
Requested for cal
Overdue
Lost
Received awaiting cal
Received waiting quote
Received waiting order
Arrived damaged
As found calibration done
Calibration Incomplete
Sent for cal. / repair (external)
Set for repair (internal)
Cal done - awaiting paperwork
In despatch
Requested (Posted)
Overdue (Posted)
Under Construction
Allocated to Customer
In Stock
Awaiting Parts
Action Required
Overdue Requested
Received
Cal Done
In Despatch
Create An Instrument
Select Create Instrument from the File menu (or press Control and N) and confirm that you wish to create a
new instrument.
This will bring up the following screen where details about the instrument may be entered:
INSTRUMENT DETAILS
Description
Enter a description of the instrument. The description may be entered manually or chosen from the drop-
down menu. Clicking the “…” button to the right will bring up the file containing the pre-defined choices.
Make changes in this file and save; updated values will be available when new instruments are created. This
function is also available through [Utilities->Edit Custom Lists] from the main menu.
Manufacturer
Here you can enter the manufacturer of the instrument. The description can be typed in or chosen from the
drop-down menu, clicking the “…” button to the right will open the file containing the pre-defined choices,
here you can make changes and add/edit/delete manufacturers and then save the file; updated values will
be available when new instruments are created. This function is also available through [Utilities->Edit
Custom List->Manufacturers] from the main menu.
Model Number
Enter the model number of the device.
Serial Number
Enter a serial number for the instrument. Click the Auto button to let the system automatically choose the
next available serial number, only use this option if the instrument has no serial number.
Cust Ref
Enter a customer reference for this job. This can be a word or number, some companies will assign their
instruments asset numbers, and these can be used for the customer reference. It is another form of
identification for the instruments.
Procedure No.
Enter the number of the procedure that will be used to calibrate this instrument. This will be used by ProCal
to select which procedure to use for a calibration run.
Site
Enter the site where the instrument is located, or choose from the drop-down menu.
Department
Enter the department where the instrument is located, or choose from the drop-down menu.
Location
Enter the location of the instrument, or choose from the drop-down menu.
Date Acquired
Enter the date this instrument was acquired. Dates should be entered in DD/MM/YYYY format.
Date Scrapped
Enter the date this instrument was scrapped, if required. Dates should be entered in DD/MM/YYYY format.
Instrument Cost
Enter the cost of the instrument
Click Close when all required information has been added.
Advanced Edit
Advanced Edit can be found on all virtual job sheets, to manoeuvre to this menu, click File->View/Edit an
Instrument, enter the identifying number such as an instruments serial or job number, when the instrument
details appear, double click them, or highlight them and click View/Edit.
Once this menu appears, click on Advanced Edit to change more intricate details about the instrument,
such as the signatory for the certificate, or the traceable instruments used during its calibration.
All the details of an instrument can be changed in this menu, so care should be taken that important data is
not lost, this function can be set to Administrator Access only. The list of enterable data is long; this list
contains the information for every part of the instruments procession through Booking In, Calibration and its
Despatch details.
Certificate Number
If an instrument has been subcontracted out to an external company, then upon its return, the certificate will
need to be linked to the instruments details, go into the Advanced Edit of that instrument, highlight ‘Cert_No’
by clicking it, and then type the certificate number into the text box below, once the information has been
entered click “Save Changes” and then “Yes”. For a sub-contracted instrument it is advisable to also scan
and link the certificate to the instrument.
Editing Signatories
To edit the signatory of a certificate, the same method is followed as for entering a Certificate Number,
search and open the Job Sheet of the required instrument, open The Advanced Edit menu, and scroll down,
highlight the line data that needs to be entered, and type the information into the text box.
Note: Once Save is clicked, any changed data will be saved and could affect certificates, reports, and can change
information such as despatch addresses, therefore it is wise to operate within Advanced Edit with care.
Note: Only a user with administrator access will have the Advanced Edit function available to them on a Virtual
Job Sheet, both the engineer and the operator are unable to access this menu.
Click on Batch Create Instruments, if manual serial numbers is selected, a prompt to enter each number will
appear, if print labels is selected a label will be printed for each new item.
Edit
It is possible to create a series of serial numbers for certain instrument types. Files stored in the
ProSales\Serial Numbers directory maintain the next available serial number for specific instruments. Click
edit to access this file for the instrument currently described by the manufacturer / model number /
description fields.
Serial Number(s)
Select Manual to be asked for each individual serial number as the instruments are created. Select
Automatic to let the system determine serial numbers.
Batch Number
If entered, the batch number will be appended to each serial number.
Print label(s)
Select the check box to print a label for each new instrument.
Turn-Around
Enter the turn-around time for the calibration.
Status / State
Enter the initial status of the instruments. A list of these statuses can be found in the appendix.
Job Sheet(s)/Label
Choose whether a Job label or Job Sheet should be printed, there is also the option to print both, from here
the number of items to print can be chosen, (0 –3).
To specify the search criteria, click a button in the left column to select the field to search for. This will reveal
an entry box where the search details may be entered or selected from a drop-down list. Click on a search
category button a second time to remove that criterion from the search.
Click Start Search. If matching instruments were found the following screen will appear:
Select an instrument, then click View / Edit (or double-click the entry in the list) to go to the virtual job sheet
for that instrument. Click Re-Search to go back to the search screen.
The Calibration Date will be filled in when the instrument is calibrated. The Despatch Date will be filled when
the instrument has been despatched.
View Docs
Each instrument has a directory containing documents relating to that instrument. Click “View Docs” to open
this location in Windows Explorer.
Status
Instruments have their status automatically updated as they progress through ProCal-Track. If the status of
an instrument needs to be changed, select the new status from the drop-down list. The list of different
statuses and their definitions can be found on page 17.
Use
If the instrument has a special use, one of six can be selected from the drop-down list. A full list is given
below:
A: Demo/Loan
B: Hire
C: Sale or Return
D: Laboratory Standard
E: Beyond Economical Repair
F: Quarantined
Booked in By
This is set to the user who performed the original goods-in book in. It may be set to another name if
required.
Service Details
This tab contains details of the service to be performed on the instrument.
SERVICE TYPE
This specifies the type of work to be performed on the instrument
This specifies the type of certification the job requires. Selecting an accredited certificate for the instrument,
then ProCal will only select an accredited
QUOTE STATUS
If a customer requires a quote before calibration or repairs can commence, the quote status will be “A –
Quote Required”. This changes to “B - Quote Sent – Awaiting Reply” when the customer is notified and “C -
Go-Ahead Given” when the customer has approved the work to be done.
SERVICE BY
Select the company that will perform the calibration. If this is not the principal company the sub-contract
details must be filled in (see below).
WARRANTY
Select this checkbox if the job is warranty work.
MAINS SAFETY
Select this checkbox if the job requires mains safety testing. If selected the instrument will be tested with a
Portable Appliance Tester and an electrical safety label printed.
When a calibration job is to be performed by another company, details about the sub-contract must be
entered.
Select the sub-contractor from the “Sent To” list. Enter an order number and the expected return date, and
then click “Despatch to sub contractor”. The instrument status will be set to K – Sent for cal (External).
Run Report
The run report option will not work unless Crystal Reports is installed.
If an instrument has been sent out as a demonstration unit or is on loan the subcontract tab will be replaced
with the demo/loan tab. The despatch date and expected return date are filled when the instrument is
shipped. The date received is filled when the unit has been returned.
accessories screen will show a checkbox for each accessory defined in the list. Select each accessory that
was delivered with the instrument.
Selecting “Print Accessories Labels” will print labels for the accessories when the instrument is being
booked in.
If the accessory labels are not printed then, they can be accessed through the Job Sheet, by clicking Print
Menu, and then Print Accessories Labels.
If the stock system is active, click on the green “+” to choose a service or part from stock and enter the
description and the price automatically. (See the description of the stock selection in the next section.) If the
stock system is not active a list of pre-defined items may be chosen from the drop-down list. Click “Edit
Parts List” to change the list of items.
Stock Selection
If the stock system is active, the Service Description and Parts Used tabs will have a green “+” to add a
service or part from the stock database and a red “-“ to remove the currently entered item. Clicking “+” will
display the stock database product selection screen as below.
First select the type of stock item needed (e.g. spare part or repair service). Then select the category of item
within that type (e.g. type: spare part – category: batteries, or type: calibration – category: high voltage). The
table will now be filtered to contain only items of interest. Click on a row in the table to select that item, and
then click “Select Item” to copy the details into the job sheet. If more that one item is needed, select the
required quantity in the “Qty” column.
To select a stock item by a keyword, click the “Search” button. Enter a search term when prompted in the
message box. For example, entering “nut” finds every product with “nut” somewhere in the description
producing the results shown above. Wildcards may be entered, with “?” matching any one character and “*”
matching any series of characters. Click on a row in the table to select that item, and then click “Select Item”
to copy the details into the job sheet. If more that one item is needed, select the required quantity in the
“Qty” column.
Engineer’s Report
The engineer may enter comments about the instrument and the work performed when the job has been
performed. These comments may be edited in this text box. The engineer responsible for this instrument
may be entered into the “Engineer” text box or selected from a drop-down list. The list of engineers may be
edited using the Utilities->Edit Custom Lists->Edit Engineer List item on the main menu.
Job Comments
When a job is completed, the operator can enter two comments on the state of the instrument. These may
be typed into the text box or selected from the drop-down list of standard comments. Clicking the “…” button
opens the file containing the list of comments for editing. Changes made here will be reflected in the options
available upon completion of a calibration in ProCal.
History
ProCal-Track keeps a history of all calibration jobs performed on an instrument. Double-click on an entry in
this list to see the details of a previous job.
Delete Instruments
Selecting File->Delete Instrument from the main menu will bring up a similar interface to select which
instruments are to be deleted.
Goods Inwards
Selecting Utilities->Goods Inwards - Book In Instruments will bring up the Book In screen:
Type the serial number of the instrument to be booked in into the flashing box and press enter. (Alternatively
use the barcode scanner.) This will display the details of the chosen instrument.
Certificate Address
The address details on this tab will be printed on the certificate. Select a company from the drop-down menu
to fill in the complete details. Click Add/Edit Address to bring up the contacts database and change
customer details.
Customer Address
This tab contains the address details of the customer who has sent the instrument for calibration. These
details should always be cross-referenced with the customer order to ensure instruments are despatched to
the correct address.
Despatch Address
The address details on this tab will be used if the instrument is to be despatched to an address other than
the customer’s. These details should always be cross-referenced with the customer order to ensure
instruments are despatched to the correct address.
Instrument Details
Complete the required instrument details. If the instrument has not been calibrated previously then these
details will need to be entered manually.
Service Type
Select the type of work to be performed on the instrument. Choose from the list below:
A: Calibration Only
B: Repair Only
C: Repair & Calibration
D: Modification
E: Investigation
F: Calibration (No Adj)
G: New Instrument Test
H: Inspection Test
Electrical Safety Test: For procedures which are concerned only with testing electrical safety (e.g. Portable
Appliance Test results).
Test Report Certificate: A test report, typically for new instrument testing on product lines or in ATE
(automatic test equipment) systems where sub assembly testing is performed.
Turn-Around
Input the expected duration of the calibration process.
Mains Safety
Select this checkbox if the job requires mains safety testing. If selected the instrument will be tested with a
PAT and an electrical safety label printed.
Under Warranty
Select if the instrument is under warranty.
Damaged
Select if the instrument has been damaged before being checked in for calibration.
Book In
When the information is complete, click the green Book In button. This will mark the instrument as booked in
and add the job to the Instruments Booked In This Session list. A new instrument may now be booked in.
Selecting the Recall Last Customer checkbox will use the same customer details for the next instrument to
be booked in. Similarly Recall Last Inst Details repeats the same instrument details and Recall Last Job Info
uses the same Job Information.
Instrument Despatch
This section describes the procedure for despatching completed instruments and orders.
Carrier Information
Select the carrier to be used from the drop-down list, and enter the cost of carriage into the Cost box.
Address Labels
Select the number of address labels to print when completing the despatch.
Despatch Items
Click “Despatch Items” to mark the selected items as despatched and print out a picking list detailing which
instruments are to be sent to the customer. If the instrument has accessories associated with it, the
Accessories Despatch Screen will appear to confirm that they are included in the delivery:
When finished, ProCal-Track will return to the “Scan Job Label” screen awaiting further despatch jobs.
If multiple instruments are found with a matching serial number, select the desired one from the list:
The demonstration / loan despatch screen will be shown for the chosen instrument:
Despatch Address
Selecting an entry from the Account Number drop-down list can fill in the despatch address of an existing
customer.
Despatched Via
Select the delivery method that will be used for this instrument. Click the “…” button to edit the file containing
the list of standard delivery methods.
DYMO 300/400
This printer is configured using the Dymo software.
PORT
Select the port to which the printer is attached.
PRINTER MODEL
Select the specific model of the Seiko Smart Label Printer.
LABEL FOOTER
Enter text to be printed at the bottom of each label, if required.
Select the X Position (distance from left of page in mm) and Y Position
(distance from top of page in mm) where the logo is to be printed.
View/Edit Contacts
The contact database contains all details of customer companies and their contact details. The Contact
Database can be accessed via Utilities->Edit Contact Database, the menu that appears can be used to edit
and delete existing Contacts and also allows you to add new Contacts.
Once their information appears, update any and all details that need amending and click “Add/Update
Company”. This will instantaneously update the system with those changes.
Note: That if the company name is changed this will create a new entry under the new company name. The old
company can be deleted if required.
Delete a Contact
To delete a contact simply select either their Account Number or the Company Name, once their details
appear on screen click the “Delete Company” button, before it is deleted the system will ask you if this is the
correct contact to delete, this is to ensure a contact is not mistakenly deleted.
Print Label
If a Seiko Smart Label printer is available, then labels containing the contact’s address may be printed.
Custom lists contain a set of entries to speed up the input of commonly used items. For example, the
manufacturer list contains a set of instrument manufacturers. At several places ProCal-Track will provide the
list of manufacturers in a drop-down list:
To edit these lists, select Utilities->Edit Custom Lists to access the menu of custom lists, and choose the list
to be changed.
When an item is selected the relevant file is opened for editing. Make any changes required and then save
the file.
Some unusual events require an instrument’s status to be manually updated. For example, if an instrument
is lost sometime during the calibration process its status code must be changed to “D - Lost”.
Selecting Utilities-> “Change Instrument Status” from the main menu will show the Update Instrument Status
screen.
Enter either a Serial Number, or a Certificate Number or a System ID in the associated text box and click
“Find Instrument”.
If an instrument is found, choose the new status from the drop-down list.
To generate the data for the recall letters click Reports->Generate Recall Letters, this will bring up a sub-
menu which asks for the number of weeks notice required for the letters to be generated before the
instrument is due for calibration.
To find overdue instruments click yes when the message box appears that asks if you wish to delete the old
database and search for new data.
When an instrument has become overdue for calibration a second letter is generated. Selecting Utilities-
>Edit Recall Letter text->Overdue Letter will allow the user to edit the text of this letter.
Click Reports->View Last Generated Recall Letters, offers the ability to view the last batch of recall letters
that were printed. They can also be reprinted via the menu.
This option can help to ensure that all customers have received their recall letters.
Process Paperwork
Print Certificate
Click “Process Items” when all items have been selected. The Print Latest Certificate Screen appears, to
allow the selection of what to print on the certificate, the number of copies, and whether labels should be
printed.
This will print out an Instrument Service Log and a Certificate of Calibration for each instrument selected
and mark the instruments as having paperwork completed. If all the items on an order have been processed
then an option to go straight to the Despatch menu will be shown.
When printing is complete the status of all the instruments processed will move to the next stage, N: in
despatch.
Enter either a Serial Number, or a Certificate Number or a System ID in the associated text box and click
“Find Instrument”.
If an instrument is found, change the certificate number, choose the new status from the drop-down list, and
change the calibration date and period as required.
The last job number is displayed in the message box. Enter a new job number (this may contain letters and
numbers, but must end in a number, up to a limit of ten characters or digits). The next time a new job is
created this value will be increased by one and used as the job number.
The last instrument ID number is displayed in the message box. Enter a new ID number (this may contain
letters and numbers, but must end in a number, up to a limit of 20 characters or digits). The next time a new
instrument is created this value will be increased by one and used as the instrument ID number.
Options
To set options in ProCal-Track, select the menu item Utilities->Advanced->Program Options. A password
prompt will appear. If a password has not been set, then the password to be entered will be tcs. After
inputting the password, a new prompt will appear asking for the VAT Rate, this can be set to a value of your
choice.
The above image depicts the options available, when configuring ProCal Track.
Data Paths
When the ProCal software suite is installed, the data paths are automatically set to the local drive usually
the ‘C’ Drive. If the software is installed onto a server and not onto a singular workstation, then the paths will
need to be manually directed to a single directory to ensure that data is up-to-date across the network.
CERTIFICATES DATABASE
Enter the path to the certificates database. Click the “…” button to bring up a file window and navigate to the
location of the database. The database file name will be ProResDB.mdb and is shared with the ProCal
programs. This is where all certificate data will be stored, the data path should not be changed unless linking
paths and files are also updated.
CONTACTS DATABASE
Enter the file name of the contacts database. Click the “…” button to bring up a file window and navigate to
the location of the database.
DIGITAL PHOTOS
Enter the path containing digital photographs of the instruments. Click the “…” button to bring up a file
window and navigate to the location of this directory. The digital photographs directory contains a number of
bitmap files with the same name as the instrument they illustrate.
SALES DATABASE
Enter the location of the sales database. Click the “…” button to bring up a file window and navigate to the
location of the database.
STOCK DATABASE
Enter the location of the stock database. Click the “…” button to bring up a file window and navigate to the
location of the database.
PDF SCANS
Enter the location where scanned documents will be stored. Click the “…” button to bring up a file window
and navigate to the location of the PDF files.
Data Paths need to be set to allow ProCal and ProCal Track to communicate. If the user has both programs
installed then ProCal-Track will read the data from ProCal when writing reports or compiling certificates,
therefore the paths need to look to the same file or directory to ensure that reports and certificates can be
compiled.
Station Configuration
Each workstation may be configured for a particular role, limiting the operations that can be performed using
that computer.
Select whether the workstation will be restricted to goods-inwards only, despatch only, or both. An
administrator station has no restrictions and can perform all tasks.
Non-Invoiced Calibrations
Selecting “Check for Non-Invoiced Calibrations on Startup” will prompt the operator to search for all non-
invoiced calibrations when ProCal-Track is started.
Barcode Scanner
Selecting “Use Barcode Scanner For Despatch” will disable keyboard input of serial numbers in the
despatch process, requiring the operator to scan the barcode on the instrument label. Select this to improve
accuracy in a system using barcodes on every item.
Language Setting
Select a language from the list of translations available. Translations are stored by default in the directory
“C:\Procal\Languages” as Access database files named “Language.mdb” (e.g. Français.mdb).
Some translations will be visible once the options screen is left, however the program must be restarted for
the language update to be implemented.
Crystal Reports
Select “Enable Crystal Reports” to access a wider range of reports. Crystal Reports allow flexible formatting
of results and may be edited to meet customer requirements. Custom reports are available from the main
menu of ProCal Track under “User Reports”.
Multi-Program Operation
By default only one copy of ProCal-Track may run at a time on a single computer. This ensures that
problems arising from concurrent editing are minimised. To lift this restriction select “Enable Multiple
Copies”. This option should only be used on select Workstations to avoid discrepancies and problems.
System Password
Click “Change Password” to change the system password, which is required to enter this options screen.
If “Group Instruments By JOB NUMBER + SUFFIX if using the same customer” is selected, when
instruments belonging to the same customer are booked in on the goods inwards screen they will receive a
job number of the form JOB001-1, JOB001-2, JOB001-3 rather than JOB001, JOB002.
Selecting “Set entered data as ID for new Instruments” will generate the instrument ID from various
characteristics of the instrument. When unselected the instrument ID is a plain number. The instrument ID is
used internally by ProCal-Track - select this option if the instrument ID needs to be more human readable.
Selecting “Print ID Label for NEW Instruments” will print a label for any unrecognised new instruments as
they are booked in.
Set Options
Click “OK” to confirm changes to program options, click “Cancel” to discard all changes made.
Add a User
Click “Add a User”. The new user is now selected, Enter the user name, choose the user level from the
drop-down list and choose a password if required.
Close Button
Click “Close” when user update is finished. If the list is empty ProCal-Track will operate with an unnamed
user with the level of Administrator and no password.
A list of instruments matching the search will appear. Select an instrument from the list and click “Modify ID”,
this will show a box containing the existing System ID for the instrument. Edit as required and click OK. A
warning will appear if an attempt is made to change to a system ID that is currently in use.
Caution
Do not use this function on an installation of ProCal-Track that has been in production use, as information
may be lost.
Date Range
From the First Day Of: Select the month on which to start the report
To the last Day Of: Select the month on which to end the report
Start From Year: Select the year of the report.
Certificate Type
Select whether to include standard certification, ACCREDITED certification, or both in the report. It is not
possible to select neither.
Exclude Status
Selecting “Exclude Status” removes results with status codes M, Q and R
To view a graphical representation of certificates issued by month, click “Show Graph”. The graph type may
be changed and the graph may be printed.
Clicking “Start Search” will bring the following results screen if items are found:
Print List
Prints a report containing all the instruments in the list.
Day Book
The Day Book reports provide a quick way of searching for instruments that have been booked in during the
current day or week.
Week Day
Select a day of the current week to find all instruments booked in on that day.
By Date
Enter a date to find all instruments booked in on that day. A range of dates may be specified using wildcards
in place of some digits. For example:
??/10/2008 - any day in October 2008
1/*/2008 - first of each month, 2008
25/12/* - every Christmas
By Customer Name
Enter the name of a customer to search for. Wildcards may be used
(e.g. Trans* matches Transmille, TransCal, etc)
Print List
Click “Print List” to print a report containing all the instruments booked in on the selected date.
View Jobs
To view a list of current jobs, select the menu item Reports->View Jobs.
All Jobs
Select All Jobs and the jobs list will contain all active jobs.
<Status Codes>
Select a status and the jobs list will contain all jobs with that status.
The statuses that can be chosen are:
Received – Awaiting Cal
Received – Awaiting Quote
Received – Awaiting Info. / Order
Arrived Damaged
Before Cal Done – Awaiting Adjustment
Calibration Incomplete
Sent for Cal / Repair (External)
Sent for Repair (Internal)
Cal Done – Awaiting Paperwork
In Despatch
Under Construction
Allocated to Customer
In Stock
Awaiting Parts
Print List
Click “Print List” to print a report containing details of the listed jobs.
Show Graph
Click “Show Graph” to see a graphical representation of the distribution of status codes amongst the jobs in
the list.
Overdue List
This is the menu that will appear after entering the customer name you wish to search for instruments by.
This list can then be printed out, or the data can be transformed into a graph and then be printed out.
Print List
Click “Print List” to print a report containing details of the listed jobs.
Show Graph
Click “Show Graph” to see a graphical representation of the distribution of status codes amongst the jobs in
the list.
User Reports
The user reports menu provides access to user-generated reports created by Crystal Reports. Crystal
Reports must be enabled in the program options for this menu to be visible.
Crystal Reports
The Crystal Reports software can be used to produce templates for Fault Reports, Despatch Notes, and
Certificates etc. This software can be used to create specific or unique templates; this can be done from
scratch, or by using the in-built wizard.
The Crystal Report Templates are automatically used when by ProCal-Track when compiling reports and
certificates, if the user accesses a virtual job sheet, these reports can be accessed via the Print Menu-
>Reports, a specific report is then accessed via one of four options:
Instrument – Repair Estimates, Sub-Contract despatch etc.
Procedures – Calibration Worksheet, Performance Verification etc.
Certificates – ACCREDITED Certificates, Dimensional ACCREDITED
Advanced Certificates – Test Report, Standard Certificate etc.
Within each of these four options are multiple choices for the type of certificate and report that can be
printed for an instrument.
Note: Preset templates are provided within ProCal-Track. Transmille can provide the Crystal Report Software for
a fixed price if requested.
Note: A system of naming should be chosen such as identifying the images via the instruments model numbers.
This is very important, as it will ensure that multiple copies of images don’t overload the database.
Note: Transmille uses Paint Shop Pro 6 to take and save images of instruments. Users will need a web cam and a
piece of software that will allow the taking of and saving of images.
Appendix
Scanning Documents
Once the ProCal software suite is installed, certain paths such as the location of scanned images will be
automatically set to the local drive in this case it should be C:\ and will have the path name C:\ScanTemp.
Once the scanner has been linked to ProCal via the program options for the scanner, all scanned images
will be stored in a temporary file, to link these files to a customer or instrument simply click link to order
during the booking in process, or via Utilities>-Add Scanned Customer Order in ProCal-Track. More
information can be found below or on Page 42.
Data Paths
The below paths are automatically set upon installation of the software
Certificates Database
C:\PROCAL\CERTIFICATES
Enter the path to the certificates database. Click the “…” button to bring up a file window and navigate to the
location of the database. The database file name will be ProResDB.mdb and is shared with the ProCal
programs. This is where all certificate data will be stored, the data path should not be changed unless linking
paths and files are also updated.
Contacts Database
C:\PROCAL\CERTIFICATES\CONTACTS.MDB
Enter the file name of the contacts database. Click the “…” button to bring up a file window and navigate to
the location of the database.
Digital Photos
C:\PROCAL\INSTRUMENTPHOTOS
Enter the path containing digital photographs of the instruments. Click the “…” button to bring up a file
window and navigate to the location of this directory. The digital photographs directory contains a number of
bitmap files with the same name as the instrument they illustrate.
Sales Database
C:\PROSALES
Enter the location of the sales database. Click the “…” button to bring up a file window and navigate to the
location of the database.
Stock Database
Enter the location of the stock database. Click the “…” button to bring up a file window and navigate to the
location of the database.
PDF Scans
C:\SCANTEMP
Enter the location where scanned documents will be stored. Click the “…” button to bring up a file window
and navigate to the location of the PDF files.
Status Codes
With Customer
Requested for cal
Overdue
Lost
Received awaiting cal
Received waiting quote
Received waiting order
Arrived damaged
As found calibration done
Calibration Incomplete
Sent for cal. / repair (external)
Set for repair (internal)
Cal done - awaiting paperwork
In despatch
Requested (Posted)
Overdue (Posted)
Under Construction
Allocated to Customer
In Stock
Awaiting Parts
Action Required
Calibration Only
Repair Only
Repair & Calibration
Modification
Investigation
Calibration (no adjustment)
New Instrument Test
Inspection Test
Standard Certificate
Accredited Certificate
Certificate of Conformance
Electrical Safety Test
Test Report
None
Use Codes
Demo/Loan
Hire
Sale Or Return
Laboratory Standard
Beyond Economical Repair
Quarantined
Advanced Edit
Advanced Edit can be found on all virtual job sheets, to manoeuvre to this menu, click File->View/Edit an
Instrument, enter the identifying number such as an instruments serial or job number, when the instrument
details appear, double click them, or highlight them and click View/Edit.
Once this menu appears, click on Advanced Edit to change more intricate details about the instrument,
such as the signatory for the certificate, or the traceable instruments used during its calibration.
All the details of an instrument can be changed in this menu, so care should be taken that important data is
not lost, this function can be set to Administrator Access only. The list of enterable data is long; this list
contains the information for every part of the instruments procession through Booking In, Calibration and its
Despatch details.
Certificate Number
If an instrument has been subcontracted out to an external company, then upon its return, the certificate will
need to be linked to the instruments details, go into the Advanced Edit of that instrument, highlight ‘Cert_No’
by clicking it, and then type the certificate number into the text box below, once the information has been
entered click “Save Changes” and then “Yes”. For a sub-contracted instrument it is advisable to also scan
and link the certificate to the instrument.
Editing Signatories
To edit the signatory of a certificate, the same method is followed as for entering a Certificate Number,
search and open the Job Sheet of the required instrument, open The Advanced Edit menu, and scroll down,
highlight the line data that needs to be entered, and type the information into the text box.
Note: Once Save is clicked, any changed data will be saved and could affect certificates, reports, and can change
information such as despatch addresses, therefore it is wise to operate within Advanced Edit with care.
Note: Only a user with administrator access will have the Advanced Edit function available to them on a Virtual
Job Sheet, both the engineer and the operator are unable to access this menu.
Note: The program will not need to be reset, only the current screen or menu will need to be closed and
reopened.
Contact Us
If you have any queries or problems, feel free to contact us by one of these routes: -
Telephone
Fax
All of these details and more can be found at our website www.transmille.com