Best Thing about MUDCATs

[CalLabSolutions]

I want to get some realworld information from actual calibration technicians who use MUDCATs in their calibration labs.  I want to know what feature of the software you find most benificial. 

So what is it that makes MUDCATs better than all the other software packages on the market?

Why do you use MUDCATs?

What do you use it to calibrate?

[dallanta]

 That is a bait isnt it?

[Broken_Wings]

I had no idea what it was. Took a couple google searches to find it.

http://www.edisonmudcats.com/Pages/AboutUs/corporateInfo.htm

[CalibratorJ]

I've heard a few (mostly VERY bad things) about MUDCATS.

Need I say more? No experience using it myself though.

[CalLabSolutions]

Yes, I own a company that writes calibration related software.   Yes MUDCATs is one of the platforms we write software for.

NO.. this is not a bait to get people to run out and buy a copy of MUDCATS..  I would like to get some real world feedback on what people who are using these products it like about them. 

If you want to know my ulterior motive..  I think the industry needs a new calibration platform.  I would like to take the best features of the current software packages and wrap in into one package.

The biggest feature about MUDCATS I like is its ability to do up to 8 calibrations (one the same Make Model)  at the same time.   Great for high production Meter Calibration needs.

So people.. Please be open.. and Say what you think

[Hawaii596]

I've used MetCal in the past and currently, mostly SureCal.

I like the versatility of SureCal (pick what ever standard you want to use).  BUT... it has it's shortcomings.  For example when you cal a mid-accuracy bench DMM such as a 3478A or 34401A, etc., if the procedure was written on a 5520A or 5700A, when you swap out calibrators, I'd like it to be intelligent enough to correctly account for that.  For example at 1 Megohm on a 5520A, you can't do 4-Wire.  The procedure errors due to 4W to 2W conversion.  If the application intelligently interpreted differences between standards, that would be helpful.

Even something like on a low accuracy frequency check (where the FREQ function on an HP 3458A suffices) if the application fully interpreted capabilities of the standards, that would make automated programs more useful.

[bcollins]

Our lab purchased MudCats about 2 years ago.  The implementation was pretty painful but now that we use it for 100% of our workload we love it.  We use it for Temperature Systems & Meters, Pressure, Time, Electronics, Speed, Humidity, Refractometers, Dimensional, etc.

We are now able to provide point by point Unc and TUR's on every calibration report with no extra cost! What I really like is when using SpecTrack along with CPM the engineering staff knows right away if a standard is meeting requirements.  Anyone who uses this will appreciate just this function.  We are adding automated calibrations and while the 1st couple were tricky it has gotten easier with each new datasheet.  Lastly, from a management view the audit functions have proven to be great tools

[TBolt]

I would be very interested in some opinions and input from those that have had dealings with MudCats.  My lab is about to make a significant investment into MudCats and I would like to ask a few questions. 

1.  How is the technical support from MudCats? Are they quick with responses to issues?

2.  How was the data migration from your old data base management system to MudCats?  Was ista long drawn out process with fairly good results or a nightmare?

3.  How long did it take the technicians and other staff to get familiar with its operation?

4.  Can MetCal/SureCal be used in conjunction with MudCats and if so, can the applications be launched and all test results be pulled into the database?

5.  If you had to select another data base management system again, would select MudCats. 

Please feel free to provide me open and honest answers.   I still have time to divert to some other brand.

Thanks,
TBolt