Views:

 

  • The two 'address' sub-reports have been modified to use database objects instead of sql commands to make them easier to work with in the future. 
  • The Cal Cert w TSR.rpt uses the new sub-reports
  • The issue with the maintenance date label being included with the date has been resolved.
  • The 'print date' object has been hidden as the default state. 
  • The procedure number field was replaced with the procedure name
  • Paging is now handled via the Crystal reports 'special field' 
  • All database objects are now referenced by their native names

Background 

The release of MET/TEAM version 2.2 changed functionality in regards to how certificates are generated for 'closed' work orders. 

NOTE:  Attached at the end of this article is a completely updated version of the 2.2 "Cal Cert w TSR.rpt" with all know issues resolved.

Prior to version 2.2

Before version 2.2, both open and closed work orders were processed the same way, when the certificate button on the work order screen was clicked, the Crystal report was dynamically created, at that moment and typically opened in a new tab in your browser. 

NOTE: How the report opens depends on what browser and pdf software is installed and the action is considered a 'popup' for a .pdf to the browser.  

Pre22_action.jpg

This works well but has some risks if / when a report from the past needs to be reproduced.  Because the certificate is dynamically recreated, it is subject to changes because of the elapsed time between when the 'original' report was created and 'now'.  Things that can cause changes can be that the original Crystal report file was modified, or because the 'related' data used on the report was changed.  As an example, a year ago the owner of the asset was "Acme Manufacturing" but 6 months ago they incorporated and became "Acme Manufacturing, Inc."  Within MET/TEAM, you made the name change on the facility record, changing "Acme Manufacturing" to "Acme Manufacturing, Inc.".  This is not a bad idea, you want to accurately represent your customer's name on all future Certs and reports.   Now 'Acme' comes back to you and says, we have lost our certificate for last years calibration on asset A-123, can you create a new one?  This can be accomplished rather easily in MET/TEAM, however the problem with the dynamically recreated report is that it will use the current value from the facility name and the cert will say "Acme Manufacturing, Inc." instead of the correct value at the time, which was "Acme Manufacturing".  The significance of this issue varies from lab to lab but in general this is undesired functionality.  Now a few things to note in an attempt to put your mind at ease...

  • If changes are made to a closed work order by using the "Unlock" button, depending on the settings of the system default "Work Order - Revision Tracking", the "Certificate Number" is updated with "-Rev #" info and copies of the certificate are saved as .pdf files and attached to the certificate.
  • In addition, depending on the settings of the system default "Change Tracking", changes to data in all tables can be tracked to understand changes to any dynamically recreated certificates.  
  • (see MET/TEAM's help for more info on the above mentioned system defaults)

As of version 2.2

With the release of version 2.2, the cert creation functionality is handled differently and is controlled by a new system default named "Work Order - Cert Creation".  Depending on the setting of this default, the returning process will create files that are attached to the work order at the time of returning.  If these files are created, then they will be used in the future when the "Cert" button on the Work Order page is clicked. This eliminates the need to dynamically recreate the Crystal report, thus preventing the issues described above.

NOTE: Unlike the functionality prior to version 2.2, if files are used, they are no longer considered a 'popup' to the browser but instead are considered a download, which browsers handle differently.  

  • If the Value of the new system default is set to "(none)", no files are created and the functionality prior to version 2.2 will continue.

Here is a screen shot of the new system default... 

SystemDefault.jpg

Here is the text of the Notes, so it is easier to read...

AFFECTS: Returning - Specifies whether or not a .pdf or .xls file of the cert is created when a Work Order is returned.

ACTION: If Active and the value is empty or (none), neither a .pdf nor .xls file are created.
If Active and the value = 1, a .pdf of the current information is created, this .pdf is added to the Files tab on the Work Order, and marked as “Current Cert”.
If Active and the value = 2, a .xls of the current information is created, this .xls is added to the Files tab on the Work Order, and marked as “Current Cert”.
If Active and the value = 3, both a .pdf and a .xls of the current information are created, these files are added to the Files tab on the Work Order, and marked as “Current Cert”.

The default settings are active with a value of 3 so both a .pdf and .xls file are created.

More info on this functionality can be found in MET/TEAM's help as show here:

Help_WO_Cert.jpg

Bug

As of the initial 2.2 version of MET/TEAM, 2.2.0.414, we are aware of a bug with certificate reports that cause the "Lab" and "Owner" data to not show up on the files saved to the work order during the returning process.  This only affects certificates that use the "Lab" and "Owner" parameters.  Unfortunately the cert template we recommended the most, Cal Cert w TSR.rpt, uses these parameters.  This has been reported and will be fixed in the next release of MET/TEAM but as of Nov 23 2017, there is no release date available.  Keep reading for your options to work around this issue until resolved.

Recommendations

Keep functionality prior to version 2.2

If you are satisfied with the functionality of earlier versions of MET/TEAM, the easiest solution is to open the "Work Order - Cert Creation" system default and change the Value to "(none)" and save. No files will be created during returning and the functionality prior to version 2.2 will continue and certificates with the "Lab" and "Owner" parameters will continue to function.  

If you have work orders that have been closed in version 2.2 prior to resetting the system default as described above and are missing the Lab and Owner data, they can be fixed individually as described below.

  1. Make sure the "Work Order - Cert Creation" system default's Value is set to "(none)" and saved
  2. Open the work order with the issue
  3. Click the "Unlock" button and wait for page to redraw
  4. Click on the "Labor and Files" tab
  5. Click to highlight the top most record with "Current Cert" checked
  6. Below the files grid, click the red X "Delete selected file" button and select "Yes" to the prompt
  7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for any remaining "Current Cert" files
  8. On the top of the page, click the work order's "Cancel" button
    This will prevent the work order's "Certification Number" to be modified by adding or incrementing it's revision value and no new files will be created for the work order.
  9. Once the work order page refreshes, you can click the "Cert" button and the cert report will be dynamically recreated as has occurred in all MET/TEAM versions prior to 2.2.

Use 2.2 functionality and modify existing certificate reports using the Lab and Owner parameters

If you want to use the new 2.2 functionality, you will need to modify any of your existing certificate reports that use the Lab and Owner parameters.  Unfortunately, the cert report we suggest using as a template, Cal Cert w TSR.rpt, is one that uses these parameters and is the one we will work with to update in the examples below.

Be sure to open and review the system default, "Work Order - Cert Creation" to ensure it is configured as desired.  Typically it defaults to a "Value" of 3, meaning both a .pdf and a .xls version of the cert are saved to the work order.  Most of the needs we see are just for a .pdf so we suggest setting the value to 1 instead of 3.

FYI, The instructions below will tell you if your certificate report uses the Lab and Owner parameters and if so, what you need to do to update it.

NOTE:  The sub reports used below mimic the existing functionality but provide more flexibility to the user because each part of the sub report is different.  As an example, in the past if a facility did not have and address, the field would display blank.  Now, if there is no address, at least the facility name will be displayed.  Also in the past we have been asked if it is possible to Bold and increase the font for the customer's name.  That is now possible where it was NOT before.  In addition, the format of the address has been updated to conform to the US Postal services recommendations for formatting addresses.  What changed is that there is no longer a comma between the city and state.  There are now 2 spaces between state and zip and the country is now on the last line by itself.  Any of the lines are suppressed if they are blank so if you don't want the country displayed, simply leave it blank on the address record.  Keep in mind, you now have more flexibility in formatting simply by editing the sub report.  

  1. Make sure you have a copy of your current report saved off to a safe location so that it can be used, should the steps below result in an unusable report.  
  2. Open the report in the Crystal editor
  3. Open the "Field Explorer"
  4. Expand the "Parameter Fields"
  5. If you see the "Lab" and "Owner" parameters and they have green check marks, then they are used in your report and it will need to be modified.  Here is an example using the Cal Cert w TSR.rpt...  NOTE:  It is possible that the parameters exist but have been suppressed, if this is the case, your report may not need to be modified.  The steps below will confirm this.
    Lab_and_Owner_used.jpg
  6. Now look at the report and locate the ?Lab and ?Owner text boxes and if they are NOT grayed out, then they are being use and need to be suppressed and the report modified as explained in the steps below.  If the parameters were suppressed, then your report can be used as is without following the steps below.  Be sure to carefully test to verify this.
  7. If you need to modify your report, click on the ?Owner text box, then press and hold the [Shift] key and click on the ?Lab text box to select both objects
  8. Release the [Shift] key and then right click on ?Lab and select "Format Objects" from the popup menu
  9. In the "Format Editor" popup, make sure the "Common" tab is selected and then check the box for "Suppress" and click "OK" to save changes and close the popup
  10. Locate the two sub reports that are attached to this ticket (WorkingLab_Address_sub.rpt and Owner_Address_sub.rpt) and copy them to a location on your computer that you can remember such as c:\temp
  11. Back in the crystal editor with the Cal Cert w TSR.rpt open, use the menu and click Insert --> Subreport...
  12. In the "Insert Subreport" popup, select the "Choose an existing report" radio button
  13. Click the just enabled "Browse"button and locate the "Owner_Address_sub.rpt" file saved in step 10 and press the "Open" button
  14. Back in the "Insert Subreport" popup, click to view the "Link" tab
  15. In the "Available Fields" list, click on the "+" to collapse "Report Fields" and locate "vw_CallSheets" and click it's "+" to expand the fields.  Locate "nFacilityUID" and click on it so that it is highlighted
  16. Click the right arrow button [>] to move nFacilityUID over to the "Field(s) to link to" list
  17. More info on the bottom of the "Insert Subreport" popup will populate.  Confirm that ?Pm-vw_CallSheets.nFacilityUID is selected in the lower left drop down
  18. To the right, verify there is a check for "Select data in subreport based on field:" and verify the dropdown below that has "nFacilityIUID" selected
  19. Click "OK" to close the "insert Subreport" popup and you will note that a text box representing your sub report is tracking your mouse.  Move the report to a location overlapping your ?Owner text box that is now suppressed (grayed out) and left mouse click to place it
  20. Right click on the newly placed Owner_Address_sub.rpt, and select "Format Subreport.." in the popup list
  21. This will open the "Format Editor", click on the "Border" tab.
  22. Use dropdowns to reset the 4 "Line style" values from "Single" to "None", click OK to close the window.
  23. With the Owner_Address_sub.rpt still selected, press and hold the [Shift] key and click on the ?Owner text box to select both objects. 
  24. Very important to follow closely! With both objects selected, right click on ?Owner text object and move your mouse over "Size" and wait for the sub list to create and then click "Same size"
  25. At this point the popup lists hide and you will notice the subreport is now the same size as the text box.  
  26. With both objects still selected, again right click on ?Owner but this time move your mouse over "Align" and wait for the sub list to create and then click "Tops"
  27. With both objects still selected, again right click on ?Owner and again move your mouse over "Align" and wait for the sub list to create and then click "Lefts"
  28. At this point the two objects are on top of each other but since the original ?Owner is suppressed, we are OK and only the new sub report will be visible.
    NOTE:  You have to option to select the ?Owner text object and delete it but there is no harm in leaving it in case you want to use it again at some point in the future.  
  29. This is the perfect place to save this report and to test that it does indeed still function and the "owner" data is correctly displayed.
  30. The next set of instructions are virtually identical to what we just did but now for ?Lab and the WorkingLab_Address_sub.rpt.  NOTE:  The linking fields are different for this sub report so read carefully!
  31. Back in the crystal editor with the Cal Cert w TSR.rpt open, use the menu and click Insert--> Subreport...
  32. In the "Insert Subreport" popup, select the "Choose an existing report" radio button
  33. Click the just enabled "Browse"button and locate the "WorkingLab_Address_sub.rpt" file saved in step 10 and press the "Open" button
  34. Back in the "Insert Subreport" popup, click to view the "Link" tab
  35. In the "Available Fields" list, click on the "+" to collapse "Report Fields" and locate "vw_CallSheets" and click it's "+" to expand the fields.  Locate "nWorkingFacilityUID" and click on it so that it is highlighted
  36. Click the right arrow button [>] to move nWorkingFacilityUID over to the "Field(s) to link to" list
  37. More info on the bottom of the "Insert Subreport" popup will populate.  Confirm that ?Pm-vw_CallSheets.nWorkingFacilityUID is selected in the lower left drop down
  38. To the right, verify there is a check for "Select data in subreport based on field:" and verify the dropdown below that has "nFacilityUID" selected.  Note in the drop down list, this is listed below "----Command----" as shown below...
    LinkTo.jpg
  39. Click "OK" to close the "insert Subreport" popup and you will note that a text box representing your sub report is tracking your mouse.  Move the report to a location overlapping your ?Lab text box that is now suppressed (grayed out) and left mouse click to place it
  40. Right click on the newly placed WorkingLab_Address_sub.rpt, and select "Format Subreport.." in the popup list
  41. This will open the "Format Editor", click on the "Border" tab.
  42. Use dropdowns to reset the 4 "Line style" values from "Single" to "None", click OK to close the window.
  43. With the WorkingLab_Address_sub.rpt still selected, press and hold the [Shift] key and click on the ?Lab text box to select both objects. 
  44. Very important to follow closely! With both objects selected, right click on ?Lab text object and move your mouse over "Size" and wait for the sub list to create and then click "Same size"
  45. At this point the popup lists hide and you will notice the subreport is now the same size as the text box.  
  46. With both objects still selected, again right click on ?Lab but this time move your mouse over "Align" and wait for the sub list to create and then click "Tops"
  47. With both objects still selected, again right click on ?Owner and again move your mouse over "Align" and wait for the sub list to create and then click "Lefts"
  48. At this point the two objects are on top of each other but since the original ?Lab is suppressed, we are OK and only the new sub report will be visible.
    NOTE:  You have to option to select the ?Lab text object and delete it but there is no harm in leaving it in case you want to use it again at some point in the future.  
  49. Save this report and test that it does indeed still function and the lab and owner data is visible.  
  50. When this is good, be sure to return and close a new work order and once returned, open the work order in MET/
    TEAM and verify that there a pdf and optionally a .xls file associated.  Now on the 'closed' work order, click the cert button which will cause the .pdf file to be downloaded where it needs to be opened so the lab and owner info can be verified.  Once all of this is tested, you are good! 

These steps need to be repeated for each certificate report that you use with MET/TEAM version 2.2.

Latest update for attachments:

Cal Cert w TSR.rpt -                    9 Aug 2019
Owner_Address_sub.rpt -         29 Mar 2019
WorkingLab_Address_Sub.rpt -  9 Aug 2019