E-mail us | Add to favourites | Homepage Q. How does the system collect temperature readings? Temperature readings are obtained by touching the KOOLTRAK data collection cable to a logger and reading the stored data. The software lists for the user those loggers due for reading, deletes them from the list after a successful reading, and provides optical and acoustic confirmation. With a cable attached to a PocketPC running KOOLPAD, the acoustic confirmation means the operator has both hands free to collect the data. All data transfers are validated by crc checks for data security. Each logger data file is approximately 3Kb long, so a PocketPC (palmtop) has sufficient capacity for more than 1000 readings. Loggers can be read at any time whether the logger memory is full or not, or even read repeatedly, and the software will organise the data properly and filter out multiple readings. Q. Is KOOLTRAK easy to use? Yes. KOOLTRAK software has been carefully developed to make it easy and safe for the user to operate. In addition, a special operating mode is available that performs "read only" functions and doesn't allow write operations with which an inexperienced user might loose data. KOOLTRAK has three main windows, which for simplicity can't be opened simultaneously. These windows control: 1. Logger programming and reading 2. Data display and reporting 3. Configuration and database management KOOLPAD software running on a PocketPC (palmtop) has two functions, which are controlled by push-buttons or a stylus. These are: 1. Logger reading and graphical data display 2. Data transfer Q. How is data security guaranteed ? Logger data is stored in two seperate ways, first as an unprocessed logger data file, and second as processed data in the database. The database can be rebuilt by reprocessing the logger files, and KOOLTRAK provides convenient functions for saving and restoring these files to and from diskette. When the logger data file comes from KOOLPAD running on a PocketPC, the file is first transferred to KOOLTRAK, then processed to the database, copied to the backup directory, removed from the processing directory, then finally deleted from the PocketPC. Processing a logger file takes only a few seconds. KOOLTRAK removes duplicate data points, so that multiple overlapping reads of a logger don't cause any problem. When a measurement is considered to be particularly critical it is always possible to allocate more than one logger to that location, and obtain multiple independant results. Q. What is a PocketPC used for ? KOOLTRAK uses modern tools for data collection, and the KOOLPAD data collection program runs on a PocketPC (palmtop) e.g. Compaq, HP, Casio. KOOLTRAK software installs KOOLPAD onto the PocketPC, or KOOLTRAK can supply PocketPC's with the program pre-installed. The PocketPC can store more than 1000 logger data files before they must be transferred to a PC running the Kooltrak database. Q. How does the data get from the PocketPC to KOOLTRAK running on a desktop PC ? Transfer from the PocketPC to a PC can be performed many ways. The PocketPC can be placed in its docking station, or a serial cable, infra-red link, modem, portable telephone, or internet connection can be used. In the docking station the transfer rate of 115kb transfers a file in a few seconds. With a GSM telephone and an infra-red port a file can be quickly and cheaply transferred from any location served by the telephone net. Compressed logger image files can also be easily sent by email from the collection location to the processing location. Q. Do I need a desktop PC or is a PocketPC palmtop enough ? The KOOLTRAK database program must run on a portable or desktop PC running Windows98 or NT or W2000. Q. And when I don't wish to use a palmtop ? If the loggers aren't fixed in their location then, no problem, they are small enough so you can easily bring them to the PC. Or you can also use a portable (notebook) PC in place of the PocketPC (palmtop) to read the loggers, and then transfer the data to the database PC. Q. How are the loggers managed ? KOOLTRAK identifies loggers by "id number", and describes the position where they are installed by "compartment" and by "location" within that compartment. This system distinguishes between the recording device itself and the location being monitored, and it could be that several different loggers are installed at different times in the same compartment and location. Up to 999 compartments may be defined, with up to 99 locations within each compartment. Each compartment and each location is allocated both a number and a descriptive name. The number is used in the database to build a unique record number for the dataset collected from that compartment, and the names are used to identify the compartment and location to a user. The descriptive names can have any content and be changed at any time. They should be chosen to make it clear where the logger is, e.g. compartment="kitchen" followed by location="beside the light switch" is quite explicit. The record number in the database also contains the 5-digit site number allocated to the site by the user when the software was first installed, so that the record number looks like 12345.678.90, and this structure allows data from this site to be distinguished from data from any other site in the organization. This number is directly analogous to the IP number used to identify internet computers, which has the form 256.256.256.256 Q. How is the KOOLTRAK system configured ? Because of its modular design, many configurations are possible. Here are some typical systems: 1. PC or Laptop Only KOOLTRAK with database is installed on the PC, the interface with cable is plugged into any available serial (rs232) port, and loggers are read directly into the PC and processed to the database. 2. PC plus Laptop KOOLTRAK with database is installed on the PC and a copy is installed on the Laptop. The interface with cable is plugged into a serial port on the Laptop and used to collect logger data files. The data files are moved from the Laptop to the PC by floppy disc and processed into the database on the PC. 3. PC plus PocketPC's KOOLTRAK with database is installed on the PC. KOOLPAD is installed on one or more PocketPC's. An interface with cable is connected to the serial port of each PocketPC and used to collect logger data. Data is transferred from the PocketPC's to the PC by docking the PocketPC in its cradle, or any of the other methods described earlier. 4. PC on network plus PocketPC's KOOLTRAK with database is installed on the PC. KOOLPAD is installed on one or more PocketPC's. An interface with cable is connected to the serial port of each PocketPC and used to collect logger data. Data is transferred from the PocketPC'ss to the PC by docking the PocketPC in its cradle, or any of the other methods described earlier. KOOLPAGE is installed on other PC's on the network and used to deliver dynamically updated reports from the database to other PC's. Q. How can logger data be exchanged with other applications ? The appropriate data is first selected in the Display window, and then the application button provided is clicked. The selected data is transferred automatically into the application. Automatic transfers are provided for Excel, Word, HTML pages, the clip board, and direct to the system printer. Q. What can I use MS Access for ? The KOOLTRAK database is in Access format, and with MS-Access any type of graphical or tabular report can be easily produced. Q. I need my own special report. How do I get it ? No problem. With Excel, Word, Access or by output as an internet document in HTML this is quickly and easily produced. Q. What are the hardware requirements for the PC ? A Pentium-200 class PC with 64 MB RAM and 10 MB free fixed disk space running Windows98 of Windows NT is enough for a basic system. Naturally, if many loggers are to be handled and large amounts of data stored, bigger and faster computers will work better. Q. Are there versions of KOOLTRAK available in other languages ? Yes. Ask a distributor from the list elsewhere in the web site, or email KOOLTRAK Q. For how long can KOOLTRAK record ? A single logger stores 2048 data points. At the minimum sample rate of 1 per 255 minutes the logger memory will be full in one year. At the maximum sample rate of 1 per minute the logger memory will be full in 1.4 days. The logger can be set to stop when memory is full, or "roll over" and start again. In the rollover mode the logger will hold data from the last year or the last 1.4 days once rollover occurs. Loggers can be set for delayed start, so that a second logger starts when the first stops. Or, one logger can be set to a slow rate and the second to a fast rate, in which case there will be a long low-resolution record with the most recent period available at high resolution. The KOOLTRAK software is designed to warn the user when reading is required, and if loggers are read when scheduled a continuous data record can be obained indefinately. Q. What are the software components of KOOLTRAK ? KOOLTRAK The main application, runs on a PC or Laptop Principal functions are: - generation of reports and graphs - database management - logger programming and reading - logger management KOOLPAD The data collection application, runs on a palmtop PC Principal functions are: - logger reading - data transfer KOOLPAGE The display application, runs on a PC Uses ActiveX components to generate dynamically updated graphs in HTML pages or other applications e.g. VB, VBA, C++ etc Principal functions are: - dynamic display of data from multiple loggers - uses databases in the local computer or across a network - has many display and alarm options. Q. What future developments are underway ? There is an active development group working on new applications. In particular, system extensions to monitor many loggers connected on a data cable and to produce realtime displays and alarms will be released. Loggers with other types of sensors will be added to compliment the temperature logger range.