SiloTrack V3.0. Inventory Management Software. Server & Client Software Demonstration Guideline.

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1 SiloTrack V3.0 Inventory Management Software Server & Client Software Demonstration Guideline

2 PREFACE Thank you for taking the time to examine our SiloTrack V3.0 demonstration software. We are confident that you will agree that it is the most versatile and user-friendly inventory management software product available in the market today for cable-based smart sensor continuous level measurement equipment. Key features of SiloTrack V3.0 include: Server/Client multi-user capability (LAN, WAN or Dial-up) Foreign language (English, Spanish and French versions) Setup Wizard simplifies SiloTrack Server and Client start-up Automatic report generation and sending of reports via fax or Alarm alert notification via , fax and pager/phone Up to five (5) sensors per vessel Up to 128 sensors total This demonstration software is a functional version of our live software, however, there are no sensors connected and the sensor status for each vessel will always be shown as Offline. The demonstration software includes BOTH our Server and Client software packages (sold separately) so that you can work with and become familiar with the simplicity of use and functionality of using SiloTrack V3.0 in multiple PC LAN, WAN or dial-up remote access environments. Not every setup feature of this software is documented. This is due to the self-explanatory tab structure system contained within SiloTrack and our unique Setup Wizard. If you have any questions before or after use, please do not hesitate to contact us: monitor@monitortech.com or (phone) (fax) Monitor Technologies LLC 44W320 Keslinger Road Elburn, IL INSTALLATION To install the software, insert the installation CD in an available CD-ROM/DVD drive on your PC. The software should automatically begin the installation on your PC. If not, the setup file can be accessed manually as you would any other program or file. If your computer s hard drive is partitioned to isolate Windows from your program files, you will be given an opportunity to redirect the destination drive of the installation of this demonstration software. When the installation has completed, remove the installation CD and note that two new desktop icons exist; SiloTrack V3.0 Server Demo & SiloTrack V3.0 Client Demo. MINIMUM SYSTEMS REQUIREMENTS Processor: Pentium 233 MHz Memory: 96MB Video: SVGA, 4MB, 1024 x 768 Resolution Hard Drive: IDE, 2GB w/650 MB of available space Operating Systems: Win9x/Me/NT4.0/2000/XP Required Software: Internet Explorer 4.0 Service Pack 4 for Windows NT 4.0 Required Hardware: CD-ROM drive, 56K Modem 2

3 RUNNING THE SiloTrack DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM During the installation process two SiloTrack icon shortcuts were created and placed on your Desktop. One is for the Server software and the other for the Client software. The demonstration software allows you to simulate either a standalone single-pc setup (using only the Server software) or a multiple-pc setup with remote access (using the Server and Client software). Double-click on the shortcut entitled SiloTrack V3.0 Server to start the main software program. The Server software is used for configuring the inventory management system and interfacing with the sensors (not used with the demo software). Ignore any initial error messages you may get upon initial start-up. To make changes to the initial configuration select Security on the Menu Bar, click on Full Access and a window will open up requesting that you enter a password. Without entering a password, click OK. The software is shipped with a blank password. You can change the password later if you wish. If you do not change the Security to Full Access, you will be unable to setup and configure the software for your demonstration use. Now in the Full Access mode you are ready and able to modify the initial setup that is contained within the demonstration software. You can click on the Setup Wizard icon to use this feature. Live SiloTrack V3.0 software will initialize the Setup Wizard automatically when it is first started up. As with most Windows-based software applications, for many SiloTrack functions there are multiple ways to access and either change setup parameters or perform other system functions. This includes using the Menu Bar structure, Tool Bar icons and initiating a right-click with your mouse on objects on the screen. You can experiment with this at your leisure. MENUS AND TOOLBAR Let s review the functions of the drop-down menus and toolbar. Menu topics are File, Edit, View, Config, Page, Silo, Security, Help and Tech Support. The File menu will allow you to save a configuration setup (Save), export silo history data and/or alarm data (Export History, Export Alarms), switch between languages (Switch Language), print the screen (Print), setup the print function (Print Setup) preview the print job (Print Preview) and exit the software (Exit). The Edit menu provides you with some common Windows type functions including Undo (removes previous action), Cut, Copy, Paste and Delete. The View menu allows you to turn off the Toolbar, Status Bar, Silo Details view and the Auto Arrange function. In addition, this menu provides access to viewing an Alarm Log, Communication Log, History Log, Client Report (report on remote client access activity) and to initiate auto arrange of the silo graphic images. After you have manipulated the silo images on a page you can automatically have them arranged in the default position by clicking on auto arrange (however auto arrange must be checked in the view menu list to use the feature). The Config menu allows you access to configuration of System settings, RS-485 Network settings, Fax settings, settings, Pager settings, Database Cleanup settings, phrase/word translation database and AOE Diagnostic functions. The Page menu allows you to add, delete or rename a screen page. The Silo menu allows you to make a measurement of a highlighted silo (Measure), make measurements for all silos (Measure All), view the properties of a highlighted silo (View Properties), view the inventory history of a highlighted silo in graphical format (History), you can add a silo to a page (Add), you can delete a silo from a page (Delete), you can check on sensor diagnostics (Diagnostics), and you can view/change the properties of a silo (Properties). 3

4 The Reports menu allows you to see historical reports on Measurement Data and Sensor Diagnostics. You can also print these reports or export them to a file location. The Security menu allows you to check Full Access (password protected) or Restricted Access. You can also change an existing password (Change Password) and setup the desired level of Client Security. The Help menu provides access to the SiloTrack Help system, Setup Wizard and information about the specific version of SiloTrack installed. The Tech Support menu provides access to SiloTrack, SMU, AOE and RDU Installation & Operation manuals. There are also direct links for the Monitor Technologies website, and for a live chat via the Internet with a technical specialist (Chat). The SiloTrack Server Toolbar provides convenient icons for common frequently used commands such as Save, Cut, Copy, Paste, Undo, and Print. The toolbar also provides icons for SiloTrack commands such as Measure (a highlighted silo), Measure All (all silos), view Silo Properties (a view only window), Silo History (graph), Add Silo (to the current page), change Silo Properties, Help, and Setup Wizard. SENSOR/SILO STATUS INDICATION The status of the sensor for each silo is always presented, however, this is not active in the demonstration software because a live sensor is not connected and the software does not incorporate working sensor communications. In the demonstration software the sensor status is indicated as Offline at all times. The sensor status indication is shown just below the silo and the numerically displayed measurement value. Sensor status indication uses the smart sensor diagnostic capability to display the status of the sensor at all times. The possible status displays are Ready, Down, Up, Offline, Com, Index, Motion and Return. The Ready, Up and Down indication is displayed in black text, while all others are in red indicating some type of abnormal or error condition. Ready Sensor is ready for operation and there are no diagnostic errors. Down Sensor is running and the weight/cable is descending. Up Sensor is running and weight/cable is ascending. Offline Sensor is in an offline, not active, condition with no communications. Com A communication error exists between the SiloTrack software and the sensor. Index An index error exists with the sensor (travel distance down and up are not within acceptable tolerance; measurement is accepted but error indicates that it is questionable. Motion A motion error exists with the sensor (weight/cable did not begin its descent when commanded. Return A return error exists with the sensor (weight/cable did not completely return to its socketed position. In addition, the direction of travel of the weight/cable is indicated on each silo with an arrow pointing in the direction of travel. SAMPLE LAYOUT Use the file menu, toolbar menu to make changes to the setup on the Server software, or delete all silos/vessels shown and start over using the Setup Wizard. You can also use the menu and toolbar options described previously, in place of Setup Wizard, to start over and create new silos. 4

5 Note on Using the Setup Wizard: Most of the Setup Wizard is self-explanatory and does not require documentation. However, pay attention to the following: On the Add a Page screen you need to highlight the desired page in which you wish to place the new silo, prior to moving to the next screen. If you have added a new page to the existing list, you need to highlight this new page after adding it to the list, prior to moving to the next screen. On the last screen, after configuring a new silo, you are requested to click Finish. This takes you back to the first screen of the Setup Wizard. You must click next on this screen, even if you do not want to create another new silo. If you click Next without entering any information you will then move to the Password screen. When you click Finish on this screen you will exit the Setup Wizard and see the silo you have created on the desired page. DEMONSTRATING MULTIPLE PC OR REMOTE ACCESS The SiloTrack V3.0 Server software can be accessed by remote users utilizing our Client software. Each user is required to have the SiloTrack V3.0 Client software on their PC. Connection to the SiloTrack V3.0 Server software by the Client can be done via TCP/IP over a LAN, WAN or Internet access or via a dial-up modem connection. The SiloTrack V3.0 demonstration software includes both the Server and Client software. We have been using only the Server software up to this point. We will simulate a remote user access of the Server software via a TCP/IP connection using your single PC to contain both the Server and Client software. First, we need to configure the SiloTrack V3.0 Server software to allow for Client access. This can be done using the Setup Wizard by checking the box on the last page of the Wizard, which then begins the setup section of the Setup Wizard for Client access and security. 5

6 Client security can also be setup without using the Setup Wizard. To do this, click on the menu bar item Security, Client Security and Users & Groups. We will also review the TCP/IP Security function. The Dialup Security is for only when a dial-up modem phone line connection is used with a Client. Each remote Client must be given a User Name and Password, no matter how the connection is to be made. To add a user, click on New as shown in the above pop-up window. Enter a user name and then also enter a password. Next, we need to set the Silo Permissions for this user. This determines what silos this user has access to. Click Add and highlight and add each of the silos shown that you want to allow this user to access. Now, each silo you selected should be indicated in the Silo Permissions block of the Users window tab as shown above. The default for permissions is Read Only. This means the user would be able to access and upload updated data for the silos but could not initiate a measurement. To allow a Client to initiate a measurement, highlight the desired silo, then uncheck the Read Only box. Note that measurements can NOT be initiated with the Client demonstration software. Note: Clients never have access to Server configuration. With the user setup we need to take a look at the TCP/IP Security setup to make sure that it is properly set for what we need. With both the Server and Client software resident on the same PC for demonstration purposes, we will use the default IP address ( ) to indicate that the Client will be coming from the same PC. Contact your Network Administrator, IT person or Monitor Technologies technical support personnel if you have any questions about this. The TCP/IP Security can be accessed through the Security menu bar item and through Client Security. This is where SiloTrack Sever software is told whether or not TCP/IP security should be enforced. It is recommended that this always be used if a TCP/IP connection is being used with a Client. TCP/IP Security means that the Client must transmit an authorized IP address in addition to the user name and password. The IP address, or computer name, is hardware dependent. This provides added security. For demonstration purposes, the default address of already exists as an address that the Server software will allow to have access. You do not need to make any changes in this window to allow for the remote access demonstration. Additional built-in security of transmitted data between Server and Client software is provided by use of a 56-bit encryption algorithm. Close this window. You are now ready to setup the SiloTrack V3.0 Client software to access the Server software. Setting Up Client Software: Minimize the Server software on your desktop. Launch the SiloTrack V3.0 Client demo software by double clicking on the desktop icon. You will be presented with a blank page or possibly the Setup Wizard will start. Place the security in Full Access if the Setup Wizard did not start automatically. You can start the Setup Wizard manually by clicking on the toolbar icon (far right icon) or setup the Client software without using the Setup Wizard. Setup without using Setup Wizard: In order for the Client software to access and upload the established data from the Server we need to configure the connection between the Client and Server software. 6

7 Click on the menu bar title Config and select the Connection tab. This should bring up the window shown below. The Connection window has three sections; Connection Type, Login Information and Updates. The Connection Type is preset as a TCP/IP connection with the IP address of the SiloTrack V3.0 Server preset as This will direct the Client software to look for the Server software on the PC that the Client software resides on. Next, enter the User Name and Password exactly as you previously entered it in the Server software. The final setup in this Connection Configuration is for the method of updating the Client with information from the Server software. If you choose an Automatic setting, the Client can still request updates manually. For this initial demonstration please select Automatic Server Triggered. This setting means that the SiloTrack V3.0 Server software will automatically send updated information to this Client whenever it has updated measurement data relating to the silos contained within the Client s Silo Permissions as previously established in the Server software above. Updates of silo configuration, alarms and relay settings are provided only when the Client initiates an update request. With the connection properly configured you now must access the Server software through the Client so that you can add silos to your Client document. This is typically done only once per Server location (a Client can access multiple Servers and Save each as a separate file for periodic access and update). To add your silos, click on the Add Silo icon in the SiloTrack V3.0 Client software toolbar. The Client software will send it s IP address (Enforce TCP/IP security was checked in the Server Client Security requirements), User Name and Password. The Server software verifies all the information as a request from a valid user and then transmits the list of the silos that the Client is allowed to access as shown below. Highlight the silos that you wish to import from the left side (Available Silos). Drag them over to the right side (Subscribed Silos) by clicking on the >> button. Click OK to accept this subscription. The Client and Server software will automatically connect and upload the requested silo data to the Client. You can size and place the silos on the Client as you desire. Please note that making manual measurements from the Client software is not functional in the demonstration software. Making a measurement from the Server software will trigger an automatic update of the Client software, based upon the setup of the connection configuration in the Client software. SIMULATING MEASUREMENTS (In Server Software) Note: The automatic measurement mode is not functional in the demonstration software. The ability to simulate manual measurements is available in the Server software only, not in the Client software. Measurement initiation from the Client software is possible in the live software. You can make simulated measurements of a single silo within the Server demonstration software by highlighting the desired silo, then clicking the Measure icon in the toolbar, or right clicking the silo and selecting 7

8 Measure, or selecting Measure within the Silo menu list in the menu bar. You can use the Measure All option in the Silo menu list to simulate measurements for all the silos sequentially. The window at the right will open when you simulate a measurement. The demonstration software contains a random number generator that will operate if you enter silo height data in the Silo Properties. The box will show the random number selected for the measurement. You can accept this random number (clicking OK ) or you can highlight the number and change it to any desired value, then click OK to accept the measurement. Repeat the simulated measurements as often as you wish. They can be used to demonstrate alarm and relay functionality, or to generate historical data. Experiment and experience the full capability of the new SiloTrack V3.0 software: Add new pages and new silos Re-arrange silos (click and drag), resize silos, or return to default arrangement Click and drag alarms/relays to establish new set-points, right click alarms/relays to see details View historical data for any silo in graphical or report form Export simulated historical data into a variety of file formats Setup additional users/groups to demonstrate the Client software Automatically generate various standard reports and schedule their delivery via or fax function Switch from English to Spanish language and back again (demo software is Spanish/English version set to display in English) Add much, much, more.. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at or use the Technical Support Chat function within the demonstration software to chat with any available support personnel. Windows and Internet Explorer are registered trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation Pentium is a registered trademark of the Intel Corporation Monitor Technologies LLC 44W320 Keslinger Rd. P.O. Box 8048 Elburn, IL Fax: monitor@monitortech.com