Strand Lighting

Reporter Pro 5.0.1

5th February 2004

IMPORTANT

This file contains important information which you should read before running ReporterPro for the first time!

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

The ReporterPro Application is copyright Strand Lighting Ltd, 2000-2004. All rights reserved. The Software is supplied under the terms of, and may only be used in accordance with, the Licence Agreement. A copy of this agreement can be found in the file licence.txt.

CONTENTS

1. Minimum System Requirements
2. Other Software
3. Software Installation
4. ReporterPro Shortcuts
5. PC setup
6. ClearType on Windows XP
7. Form Tips
8. Multi User Operation
9. Daily Batch Procedure
10. Feature Changes
11. Known Limitations
12. Software Updates
13. Further Assistance

1. Minimum System Requirements

The following minimum requirements are necessary to run ReporterPro on a PC:

• Windows NT 4 or Windows XP
• Pentium II 300MHz with 128MB RAM & 200 Mbytes free space on hard disk.
• Screen resolution of 1024 x 768 or better

2. Other Software

What other software do I have to use or reload with this release?

Dimmers:

This version works best with v1.12.1 (or later) of SLD dimmer rack software.

Network nodes:

This version works best with v2.6.11 (or later) of node software.

Note: There is an easy way to download new SN Networker software over the network from a DOS console or PC. See the file SW2ALL.BAT supplied on the Networker Utilities disk or the Networker for SN100 disk.

3. Software Installation

First close all active programs.

Place the CD into the CD-drive. If the installation does not automatically proceed, open the CD using windows explorer and double-click on the autorun.exe file.

Note: If setup complains about a dll being in use and you have already shut down all other programs, select the "Ignore" option to allow setup to continue.

After installation of the ReporterPro application, the setup program will install the Microsoft data access components.

If your PC does not have Access 2000 runtime support, you should install it by clicking on the "Install Access Runtime" button. This process may require the machine to be re-booted.

4. ReporterPro Shortcuts

On completion, ReporterPro creates 5 shortcuts:

• ReporterPro
• ReporterPro Clean Start
• ReporterPro Repair+Compact
• View Licence Agreement
• View Release Notes

The "ReporterPro" shortcut is used to start ReporterPro normally.

The "Reporter Pro Clean Start" shortcut can be used to start ReporterPro when no users are logged on, to empty ReporterPro of expired data, generate the schedule and to repair and compact the ReporterPro Data Database. For batch operation of the clean command, when it is not desirable to start ReporterPro, replace "/cmd /Clean" in "ReporterPro Clean Start" with "/cmd /HouseKeep".

The "ReporterPro Repair+Compact" is used to repair and compact the ReporterPro code database in the very rare case that a problem occurs during operation that leaves the ReporterPro Code Database (RepPro.mdb) in an invalid state.

When installing on multiple PCs, change shortcut to point to common RepPro.mdw file to allow central maintenance of User and Group information.

5. PC setup

On first running ReporterPro, log in using the username "Administrator" (remembering the capital letter) and the password "administrator" (all lower-case). Accept the licence agreement and enter the site mains voltage to be used.

ReporterPro needs to know the IP Address of the host PC and this should be entered in the Configurations Form available via the Administration menu.

Program the astronomical data using the Astronomical form via the Administration menu.

6. ClearType on Windows XP

Reporter Pro running on Windows XP is best viewed with the “Clear Type” facility enabled. The following instructions lead you through the process of enabling “Clear Type” on a Windows XP operating system:

• Right click on the desktop background and select “Properties” from the pop-up menu. The “Display Properties” dialog box will appear.

• Select the “Appearance” tab.

• Click on the “Effects…” button. The "Effects" dialog box will appear.

• Ensure the “Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts:” option is ticked and that the “ClearType” option below it is selected.

• Click on the “OK” button in both windows to close them. Your screen fonts should now be much clearer.

7. Form Tips

Pressing the 'ESC' key restores a field to its original value.

Right click a zone or node in the tree view provides a shortcut menu popup.

The status bar provides help for input fields.

Holding the mouse over buttons provides tool tip help text.

Pressing 'Shift F2' zooms a field for input/examination.

pressing 'Shift F9' refreshes a form.

8. Multi User Operation

In order to use ReporterPro with more than one user you will need to create a RepPro.ini text file using a text editor, and place it in the RepPro directory.

A sample RepPro.ini file is shown below:

[Reporter Pro]
DatabaseDir=\\PC1\C\RepPro
CommsComputer=PC1

Usually one PC is designated as the ReporterPro file server. This PC hosts the shared copy of the ReporterPro Data database in the directory specified using DatabaseDir. The same PC should normally be made the communications computer on which the ReporterPro Communications Server (PCS) runs. This is specified using CommsComputer. On an NT Network, it is usual to chose the Primary Domain Controller as the file server for ReporterPro.

In case of server failure, all users should first log off and then RepPro.ini should be changed to use another PC as the File Server. On an NT network it is usual to chose the Secondary Domain Controller as the Backup File Server for ReporterPro.

9. Daily Batch Procedure

It is advisable to schedule the following for the daily batch procedure when all users are logged out from ReporterPro.

Invoke ReporterPro on the ReporterPro File Server with "/cmd /HouseKeep" to delete expired data and generate the schedule. ReporterPro will operate even if this procedure is not performed daily as it records when the schedule was last generated and generates it afresh for the the next 48 hours every 24 hours when running.

Backup the RepPro directory on the file server for safety.

Copy the ReporterPro Data Database from the File Server (usually RepProDb1.mdb) to the RepPro directory on the Backup File Server. This will provide access to data from the last backup if the Active File Server fails and it is necessary to switch to the Backup File Server by changing the mapping of DatabaseDir in RepPro.ini.

10. Feature Changes

Changes to the software for version 5.0.1

• SWC presets data now transferred in the correct order

Changes to the software for version 5.0.0

• Communications problems resolved
• "Load error" followed by "No load" or vice versa now catered for
• Panic rack number now reported correctly
• Master/backup offline faults now displayed
• All CD80 module types now available
• Racks shown offline when online bug fixed
• Transferring circuit configuration to/from CD80 racks now works
• Circuit ID check added
• Installation of Access Runtime is now an option
• User curve graph now scaled correctly
• Circuit breaker trip filter default is now on
• Buttons which should be unavailable when the rack is offline are now disabled
• Rack status on rack configuration form now updates
• Speeded up response times for node and rack status forms
• Interface improved
• PCS crash when logging-in fixed
• Panic Configuration report added
• Added "Clear All Faults" administrator option
• Added a "Delete" button to the "Macros" window
• Added a "Delete" button to the "Recurring Events" window
• Data returned in "From Preset" SWC operations is no longer muddled up
• Added "Close" buttons to most windows
• Added "<<" buttons to node and rack status windows
• Main Control window re-organised with buttons along bottom edge
• Group restrictions now fully implemented
• Duplicate Circuit IDs of 0 are now allowed
• Software version updated whenever rack comes back online
• 120volt sinewave module now shown as 20 Amps

Changes to the software for version 4.4.1

• Fixed problem of data being cleared when uploading dimmer or fault configuration
• Fixed bug with upload of Mux type
• Circuit Id fields now wide enough in fault windows
• Learning of SLD circuits and racks is faster
• Dimmer Configuration and Fault Configuration messages merged to form Circuit Configuration message
• PC's with hostnames longer than 8 characters now supported
• Fault with "Clean Start" option fixed
• Rack Software Version now displayed on Rack Status form
• Module types now compatible with SLD software v1.8.2

Changes to the software for version 4.3

• Fault icons improved
• Site type option added for improved fault reporting behaviour
• Distinction made between "No Load" and "Load Error" faults
• Module map can now be individually transferred between PC and the rack
• "Cable Resistance" and "Load % Tolerance" now added to dimmer configuration
• Network patch can now be sent to SN110 nodes

Changes to the software for version 4.2

• Database is now Access 2000 compatible
• Better tree view interface
• Event window refresh problem removed
• Outlook and SWC Preset upload data corruption fixed

Changes to the software for version 4.1

• Now caters for SLD rack types
• Can now communicate directly from a COM port on the PC when used in conjunction with an RS232 to RS485 converter unit.

11. Known Limitations

• Changing time of day while ReporterPro is running causes problems with the operation of ReporterPro software. Please change time of day when ReporterPro is not running.
• If operating Outlook Presets from Reporter Pro, nodes should only connect to racks that are all within the same zone otherwise unpredictable behaviour may result.
• If a report button is pressed and no printer has been set up on the PC, Reporter Pro may crash. To avoid this from happening set up a default printer.

12. Software Updates

Software updates and manuals are available on the internet at:

http://www.strandlighting.com/

FTP (file transfer) browsers may also be used. The internet address is:

193.129.67.250

Some of the download items require a user name and password to be entered.

13. Further Assistance

See online help for important configuration notes & further information.

Please report any problems immediately so that we can try to address them in future releases. Phone, fax or e-mail your problems  to the Customer Service Department at Strand Lighting, Kirkcaldy.