One of the problems highlighted by customers was syncing data back to the laboratory when a calibration technician performed off-site field work where internet access was not available. IndySoft came up with a solution where a starter database can be created once a week that includes off-site workflows, security settings, masters and historical data, equipment templates and charges, and calibration procedures.
Prior to heading out to do his or her field work, the technician selects the companies that are set to be visited, and the starter database, equipment, history and work orders are all downloaded to the technician’s device. During the week, the technician can perform calibrations as normal, entering the data into IndySoft. Then, once the computer detects an internet connection again, the results are pushed back to the laboratory, while lab updates – such as calibration procedures or master modifications – are sent automatically to the field technician. This task is done without user interaction, so there is no additional technician training required and the laboratory is able to invoice the same day.
CTO Rhett Price says: “We also received a lot of feedback on how we manage test points, so we overhauled our test point system. The upgraded test point grid is a better way to set up calibration test results. We modified the system to be more powerful than ever and easier to use, especially for customers familiar with Excel.”
The test point system was additionally enhanced to allow multiple test points within one piece of equipment or template. Such capability is valuable when different sets of tolerances are needed for a single equipment item; such as if a user has one set of tolerances for standard calibrations and a different set for accredited calibrations, or if a customer has very specific tolerances.
IndySoft has also added a wealth of newly developed fields throughout the software. From test points, to events, to customer information, there are over 60 added fields that allow for complete customisation. The user is able to determine which fields are hidden or visible. Furthermore, V12 introduces ‘IndySoft Spreadsheet’, an Excel clone, into the software, which allows users to work natively in the popular spreadsheet document file environment without using any external spreadsheet software. This addition saves companies the additional expense of having to purchase Excel for their workstations.
“ISO/IEC 17025 compliance is critical to IndySoft customers, so we received a good deal of feedback from customers who wanted us to make revision status and change tracking easier to manage,” says Price. “As a result, we added automated revision control to our certificates and a version control system that tracks changes and documents, and allows roll-back to prior versions for all customisable areas of the software.”
