SerialMagic How To: Mobile Collection of Test Results from Water Samples

SerialMagic facilitates data collection system for a series of tests on water samples

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This document outlines how to implement convenient and low-cost mobile system for keeping test results.
Requirements:
-SerialMagic Professional¹ software for Windows Mobile
AND
-LaserChamp II Bluetooth Scanner, KDC200 Bluetooth scanner, and Windows Mobile Phone or PDA (touch screen).
OR
-Combination Scanner/Mobile device, such as TDS Nomad/Recon, Opticon H19, Janam XM65, Symbol MC9090.

In this example, we used a TDS Nomad device, which is a PDA with a built-in scanner!
The TDS Nomad is a very rugged, waterproof data collector, with a good laser scanner built in !

¹Requires SerialMagic Professional Power upgrade.

-Water samples are taken from various locations. Each sample is assigned a barcode number for tracking purposes.
-SerialMagic Pro is configured with special Action Profile to perform special collection functions.
-Using SerialMagic Pro's "Grid-In-Hand" spreadsheet application, data is collected as each sample undergoes various tests.
-When tests are completed, the data is instantaneously sent over the Internet to an email address, FTP server, or MySQL database.
(Data upload is powered by www.iScanList.com data service)
-Test results can be verified and reviewed later on from any computer using Excel.

The first step is configure SerialMagic to work with TDS Nomad Built-in scanner.

Next step is to setup the SerialMagic Action Profile to perform special functions for data collection.
The sample profile shown here "water samples" can be downloaded from here.

Next, in SerialMagic goto Setup > Other Settings > Batch, select iScanList.com Settings > Then enter login info.
(You can sign up for a Free Demo account at www.iScanList.com)

Next, return to the SerialMagic main screen, and tap on Grid-In-Hand. When you first open "GIH" there will be a blank grid.
The following screenshots demonstrate how to add column names to each column.
In this example we have the following columns: sample, time, ph, sal, weight, and temp.

Now that the Grid is setup, simply begin scanning all of your samples.
The first time a sample is scanned, SerialMagic will put in the Sample # and Time scanned (see "sample" and "time" columns.)

The first test is to test the pH of the sample. Just scan the sample to be tested.
SerialMagic prompts the user to select which test was performed (pH).
Then SerialMagic provides a keypad to enter the result of the test, in this case, the sample pH was 6.5
The data is automatically entered into the correct cell in Grid-In-Hand !

To enter the result of another test, simply scan the sample, select the test type, and enter the result.

Conduct the rest of the tests for all samples, by scanning the sample and inputting the test result.
It doesn't matter what order the tests are completed, as you can control the input column !

Once the tests are completed, simply hit the "Upload" button (lower-right) to send the data via iScanList.com
Grid-In-Hand Manager will display "Status: Success" once the list has been sent successfully.

Next, just check the email account (or FTP account, or MySQL database) that is setup to receive the data.
See that the data is attached as an XLS file, that can be opened anywhere!

Open the XLS sheet in Excel or OpenOffice Calc for review...

With SerialMagic Professional, Grid-In-Hand, and iScanList.com, it's that easy !

More information:
Purchase SerialMagic Pro Power Upgrade - Windows Mobile
SerialMagic Professional Product Information
TDS Nomad Data Collector PDA/Scanner device
Opticon H19A Mobile Business Phone "All-in-one" device
iScanList.com Data Upload Service

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