Last Updated: 01/02/06
These Release Notes cover what's new, Service
Pack Releases and installation instructions,
known issues and other resources and links for
the VTAS 2.1 (BETA) release. Please read these
notes and the bug filing instructions before
reporting any bugs to Consillia Limited.
What's New
(+)
Donfabs & Consillia’s Vehicle Track
Analysis Software is designed to handle all
types of data sets derived from the Company’s
range of vehicle ride and track geometry
equipment. Using a SQL Server database VTAS
provides the structure to allow the easy storage
and recall of hundreds of data sets. Data
recorded using the Mactrack or Macminder can be
stored individually or “Journey Data” sets can
be assigned. To these groups additional
information can be added such as annotation or
histogram files.
Using the flexible graphing
system, VTAS can overlay custom data
synchronised with the captured instrumentation
data, for example milepost annotations,
structure position and global positioning data
providing useful conditioned based maintenance
information.
VTAS utilises XML data
transfer technology to seamlessly connect the
VTAS data analysis system to the wide range of
Consillia railway measuring and monitoring
equipment. Portable enough to run on a laptop
computer, VTAS has import software expansion
modules available that enable the laptop to be
connected directly to the measuring / monitoring
equipment for the download of captured data
directly into the VTAS SQL Server Database.
All data stored within the
database can be recalled, manipulated, graphed
and exported for use within other proprietary
software. Hardcopy printouts can also be
produced for reporting purposes.
System
Specifications
|
Hardware Interface |
Enhanced parallel port or via Memory
Card |
Storage |
A standard explorer view enables storage
of data in a hierarchical format. A top
level journey file is created to
encompass data sets from supported
equipment. Each piece of equipment has a
unique serial number which enables VTAS
to easily cross reference sets of data
for analysis and reporting. |
Number of Data Sets |
Limited to the storage capacity of
Microsoft SQL Server. 2GB (MSDE), 1TB
(SQL Server) |
Directory Structure |
Stored using Date, Time, Instrument,
Journey or User Name |
Graphical Display |
Multi-channel Side by Side trace display
in vertical and horizontal scrolling
window Zoom In and Out, Pan facility,
Drag and Drop facility User friendly
tree structure for easy selection of
traces Overlay and building of group
traces Area select for statistics,
histogram, export, save or print
facility |
Database |
MSDE 2000 Data Engine The Microsoft Data
Engine provides the functionality of SQL
Server, without any front end (no
Enterprise Manager or Query Analyser).
MSDE 2000 is recommended for small
clients with 2-5 users. Provides: •
Storage of all data sets • Delete single
or multiple data sets • Rename, Move,
select for Display, Archive and Multiple
Selection facility Fully expandable to
harness the additional scalability
offered by Microsoft SQL Server |
Reporting Functions |
Utilises industry standard Crystal
Analysis® and Crystal Reports® reporting
engine customised to individual customer
requirements Provides • Print Report •
Print Preview • Email Report • Export
Report |
Export Facility |
Export area or complete file Datasets
can be copied as XML or CSV data into a
variety of compatible programmes. |
Print Facility |
VTAS will print to most Windows
supported printers and includes font,
point size, page selection, and preview
functions. Provides • RAW Data Print –
allows the user printable output of the
raw data that has been read from the
equipment without any post download
processing applied • Processed Data
Print – After processing the data can be
printed or formatted to present the
captured data in a report format |
PC Requirements |
Pentium III 750 MHz processor (minimum)
256MB RAM (minimum) 1 Gb of Disk Space
Free (minimum) Microsoft Windows 2000 /
XP with the latest Service Pack
installed Super VGA Graphics Card (800 x
600 pixels) CD ROM Drive VDU, Mouse,
Keyboard, Printer Port |
Installing VTAS
(+)
Once you have downloaded a
VTAS, follow these instructions to install:
Prerequisite Software
VTAS
requires that the Microsoft SQL Server 2000
Desktop Engine (MSDE) is installed and running
on your system before installing VTAS, you can
find more information about MSDE
here. The Microsoft Data Engine is
automatically installed by the VTAS installer if
it is not found during installation.
Windows
2000/XP
If autorun is enabled simply
insert the CD and wait, the setup program will
start within a few moments otherwise simply
browse the CD contents in windows explorer and
double click Setup.exe to start the install. The
installer will guide you through the rest of the
installation process.
NOTE: The setup may
install the Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Desktop
Engine (MSDE) which adds several minutes to the
install time and may require a reboot!
Known Bugs
(+)
This list covers the known
level 1 and 2 bugs with VTAS 2.1 (BETA). Please
read this before reporting any new bugs.
Bug ID
|
Issue Description
|
Priority
|
SW Version
|
Status
|
Patch
|
1 |
After an
import the tree view does not always
refresh |
2 |
2.1.1 |
Closed |
2.1.2 |
2 |
The wait
cursor appears for no apparent reason |
2 |
2.1.1 |
Closed |
2.1.2 |
3 |
Import
wizard does not import old
Mactrack/Macminder optimised files. |
1 |
2.1.1 |
Closed |
2.1.2 |
7 |
CANT
display seems out of calibration, huge
readings |
1 |
2.1.1 |
Closed |
2.1.2 |
8 |
Clicking
reset button on the plot tweak screen on
the tool window can cause a
runtime error |
2 |
2.1.1 |
Open |
|
9 |
After
Changing Units to km, application error |
1 |
2.1.1 |
Closed |
2.1.2 |
Service
Pack Releases
(+)
During the
beta test stage of a release all service packs
will be available
here.
Please read the release notes
carefully as these will detail the bugs fixed
and the known outstanding bugs including their
assigned priority levels.
Other
Information
(+)
Installation folder
By default VTAS will be
installed into <DRIVE>\Program
Files\Consillia\VTAS2.1
Sub folders are as follows -
Reports - Store for the
crystal report files
Data - Store for the
imported Macminder data (by default you will
find two fir files here which are
simply samples from test Macminder data that
you can import)
INI Files
VTAS has two INI files used
for configuring the software, it is advisable
not to change the settings in these files unless
directed to do so by your system administrator
and/or Consillia software development
department.
The files can be found in
your system root folder: e.g.: / C:\Windows
VTAS.INI
METRUMERRORLOGGER.INI
FM&T.INI
Other
Resources and Links
(+)
The following resources
contain useful information about VTAS:
VTAS Help (Online manual - Coming
shortly, in the meantime please
contact us)
Right Click, save target as...
Save to desktop
You may also need to alter your
security settings on this file to view
it, right click the file, choose
properties and then unblock.
Bug Filing
Instructions
(+)
The best
way to report a bug is via email directly to the
Consillia software development department,
please include in your bug report as much
information as you can provide. This will
hopefully enable us to reproduce the bug and fix
it for the next release of the software. To send
a bug report please
contact Consillia
To send a debug report
directly from VTAS see the document Debug
in the Error Handling section of the
online help.
Disclaimer(+)
Consillia Limited accepts no
liability for any damages whatsoever (direct or
indirect) arising out of the use of or inability
to use this product, even if Consillia Limited
has been advised of the possibility of such
damages. |