The Preferences dialog box, opened by selecting the Preferences option in the Tools menu, provides a variety of user-specific options.
The following tabs are available:
. See also Note on Field Formats
General Tab:
GLOBAL SETTINGS: These settings are applied to all users of this database
Support Real-Time Gage Capabilities: (Available if real-time option purchased; default = ON) Removing the check from this item will prevent users from adding, editing, or deleting gage definitions from the database, as well as prevent gage assignments to Work Sets and data entry using gages.
Use Textbox instead of List box for Log On dialog: Selecting (checking) this option allows a barcode reader to be used in the Log On dialog box. It also prevents users from seeing other user names during login.
Use Textbox instead of List box for Open Work Set dialog: (Available if real-time option purchased) Selecting (checking) this option allows a barcode reader to be used in the Open Work Set dialog box. It also prevents users from seeing specific Work Set names during the selection.
LOCAL SETTINGS: These settings are applied only to the current workstation (i.e. computer). Each user logging into this computer will use these options by default.
Show Large Display of Gage Readings: (Available if real-time option purchased) Selecting this option replaces the data input pane in the Work Set View with a single, large display of the current data value, color-coded as follows: Red = Out of Spec, Green = Within Spec, White = No Specs provided.
Load All Tree branches when program launches: When the Explorer view is opened and this option selected, branches are drawn in the expanded or contracted state they were in when the application was closed. Clearing (de-selecting) this option provides an Explorer view with all branches initially collapsed, which allows the Explorer view to open much more quickly.
Hint: Clear the Load all Branches at Launch option to increase the speed of opening the Explorer View.
Show Toolbar: Clearing this option hides the toolbar.
Display Data above Traceability Items on Data Form: (Available if real-time option purchased) Select this option (default=ON) so that the Traceability Field drop-down list boxes appear below the data entry form in the Work Set view.
Characteristic Double-Click Action: Choose one of three actions that will result when a Characteristic label is selected in a branch.
Work Set Settings: (Available if real-time option purchased) Use the up and down arrows or the keyboard to specify the number (from 0 to 10) of previously opened work sets (from this computer) that should be listed in the Work Set menu.
Format Tab: allows you to customize the application with user-defined labels and other formatting options. These settings affect all users of this database.
Stats Tab: Selections on this tab determine which Summary Statistics are displayed for control charts. These settings affect all users of this database.
Access Control Tab:
Logon Options: (Available if the current database is an MS Access format)
Require User Logon: Select this option to ensure that users always enter a user name (and password, if specified for the user) when logging on from this computer.
Logon using: Select this option to automatically log users into the database using the specified user name (and password, if specified for the user) when entering the application from this computer.
Access Control Expiration and Violations: (Available when optional CFR features purchased)
Specify the Number of Days until a Password Expires: Select this option to require users to reset their password after a set number of days. Once selected, enter the number of days. Users will be prompted during login for a new password if they have not updated their password within the specified time period.
Restrict Access to the Application after Failed Attempts: Select this option to prevent login if a user incorrectly enters their password more than a specified number of times. Once selected, enter the maximum number of failed login attempts. Optionally, an email address may also be entered for sending notification of the failed login.
Require User to Login After a Timeout: Select this option to prompt the user with a login (and thus make the application inaccessible) after a specified number of minutes of inactivity.
Traceability Tab: Enter the maximum number of Traceability fields that can be assigned. For performance considerations, it is recommended to keep this number small. Adding additional Traceability fields at a later date is better than removing fields, since removing fields may cause a loss of information (the Traceability field data) for past data.
Database Tab:
Write Data to Offline Database When Connectivity Lost: When checked, and a valid database for this application (in a local folder) is selected in the Path to Offline Database, then data is written to the specified database if the network connection is lost. The Merge Data from Offline Database button is used to add the data from the offline database to the network database.
Path to Archive Database: Enter or Browse to the archival database, or a copy of the archival database, installed with the application. See also: Archiving Records
SQL Server Logon Options: (Available when SQL Server option is used) These default options are applied to this work station (i.e. computer) and can be overwritten when actually accessing the SQL Server to open the database (See Opening SQL Server Databases)
Require User Logon to SQL Server: Select this option to ensure that users always enter a user name (and password, if specified for the user) when logging into the SQL Server from this computer.
Use NT Authentication: Select this option to (as default) access the SQL Server using the login properties defined for the NT Server. In this case, once you are logged onto the NT Server, no additional login is required for the SQL Server that resides on the NT Server.
Logon to SQL Server using same Username and Password: Select this option to use a common username (and password, if specified for the user) for both the SQL Server and this application.
Logon to SQL Server using: Select this option to automatically log users into the database using the specified user name (and password, if specified for the user) when entering the application from this computer.
Web Tab: Enter the URL for the Web Interface into the text box (for example, http://www.qualityamerica.com/SPCExplorerRT), then use the Test Web Site Link button to test the web access to the database. Note that the Web Interface can only access databases installed on the web server. Network users who want to access the web server database should use a common map to the web server’s drive, then open the database using the File menu. See also the Installation Instructions included with the Web Interface installation.
SMTP/POP3 Tab: Valid information is required on this tab to use the emailing features included in the application.
SMTP Server: Enter the address of the outgoing SMTP server (for example: mail.mycompany.com). Your network administrator or ISP should be able to provide this information.
Mail From Email Address: Enter a valid email account address to appear as the Sent From field in an automated email message (such as an Alert) from the application.
Authentication Type: Select the type of authentication required (if any) by the outgoing SMTP server.
Username: If Authentication is required, enter the username for the specified Mail From Email Address (above), which is usually the part of the email address to the left of the @ sign.
Password: If Authentication is required, enter the password (if any) required for the above username.
POP Server: If Authentication is required, enter the address of the incoming POP3 server. Your network administrator or ISP should be able to provide this information.
Test Email Settings: Use this button to test the options entered. It is suggested to enter your own email account in the Send To field to verify that email may be sent using the specified settings.