Calibration Software

[Talbot_ESI]

We're in the market for some Calibration Software. . . we need tracking, certificates and ICR's etc. . . .  We have a small commercial lab.  Any thoughts or preferences?

Thanks

[Bryan]

Though I am not an expert I think Fluke has the closest to a complete system with Metcal for testing & Metrak (surely incorrect spelling here) for the administative stuff.  Postings I have seen here lead me to believe it may have a few quirks but that's the stuff that prompts learning.

Cal lab solutions has good commercial testing software but not sure if they have the administrative stuff.

These are just a couple that come to mind, like I said I'm not really up on it.

[WestCoastCal]

MudCats metrology software suite is comprised of 3 major applications. MS-SQL server database applications.  LIMS is the asset management information system, it tracks the asset lifecycle from purchase to retirement.  CPM is the calibration datasheet application that works in conjunction with SpecTrack which contains the specifications in an electronic format.  CPM and SpecTrack allow for automatic test ratio and emu calculations.  For AFCAV users, this is your specification system Edison ESI built for AFMETCAL.  There are 25 some odd labs across the country that are current users, including a major Tennessee utility, pharmaceuticals, commercial cal labs, automotive and aerospace. The 3 latest purchasers being Los Alamos National Laboratory, B&W Pantex and EG&G NASA KSC.  We have been using the database version of MudCats in our lab (approx 13k+ cals/year) since 2002, prior to that we used a file based version.  The apps were written to meet the requirements ISO-9001, 17025, Z540, 10CFR50 App B, 21CFR Part 11.  As we are a nuke, we have fully verified and validated each application.  NCSL RP-13 served as software design guideline-not to be in compliance with.  Our quality program has been audited by pharmaceutical as well as nuclear auditors.  Several independant service providers, (including Cal Lab Solutions) have written web overlays so that customers may view their calibration information and recall information over the web.  Anyway, Happy New Year and if you get a chance take a look at edisonmudcatsdotcom for more information or you can PM me.

[CalLabSolutions]

Not sure what you are looking for in an Asset tracking solution. 
MET/TRACK and MUDCATS are both good off the shelf solutions but they are limited.

Recently we developed a 100% web based custom solution for Newark Electronics.  They looked at all the solutions on the market and decided the needed more.  They wanted something that was customizable, could handle multiple locations, and was geared more towards an enterprise level system.

If you would like a demo drop me a line.

[WestCoastCal]

Some thoughts to consider.....
In my opinion (for whatever its worth) most asset information tracking systems are pretty much equal, when I speak of this part of a metrology system, I am referring to customer info, asset info, non measurement calibration information, shipping, outsourcing, calibration failure management, customer communication, continuous process improvement requirements, etc.
Cal Lab Solutions has a good point, commercial off the shelf software is limited-guess what?  Every software application has limits, including the one you are currently using.
Think hard about having a unique system written for your business model.  As time goes on it will need to be updated and expanded, which is expected, the more unique the more possibility of having to have a retained programmer-our lab was there for many years and it was a huge financial drain.  Mature commercial software grows from feedback from users.  Commercial software upgrades are funded in part from their own lab needs and software support agreements from all users.  There are plenty of good applications out there.  Do your homework; put together a software requirement specification that details exactly what you need the software to do, now and for the future.  Mapping out your processes may help.  Provide the software requirement specification to the software developer and have them provide detailed responses on how their software handles your business model.  Make sure their quality assurance program is sufficient, up to date and audited/auditable.  Although brief, NCSL RP-13 details Computer Systems in Metrology.  Ensure the software is written to meet the requirements for compliance with the major requirements such as ISO's, Z540 and 17025.  (no software is actually is deemed compliant-it is your total quality program that is compliant).  If the software contains interval analysis, ensure it is a recognized documented method.  If you find software that may work for you, spend the time and money necessary to fully investigate the software.  Talk to current users from different companies; don't be hesitant to ask the tough questions.  Find out what users dislike and like.  Ask about their customer support.  Does customer support respond to emails and phone calls?  Has the software been updated with suggestions from their company?
Know what the software support agreement provides for service, upgrades and how much it costs.  I can't over emphasize the due diligence required, if you make a mistake, its going to be a costly one.
Whether you are running a home grown system or a commercial application that you have outgrown and you make the decision to change----remember you are changing your ENTIRE software system and it does not matter what system you end up purchasing, it's going to be painful, if someone says different they are full of it or lying.  The cost of the software pales in comparison to the cost of implementation.
Data Migration vs. starting with an empty database:  2 schools of thought-if your data is migrated and have crappy database information, then guess what-you have crappy information in your new database.  Migration is like Navy chow-crap ingredients in, crap food out.  Database scrubbing should always be done with a migration, but often gets down to manually changing information in the database (this takes time and time is money) after the big and medium problems are solved.  Data migration is not the end all, your database will never be pristine (sorry to sound pessimistic, but it is my opinion) Data entry-it is certainly doable to hire a "girl Friday" to enter customer info, manufacturer make and model, your calibration standards, customer assets, vendors, etc. this takes a tremendous amount of time, and again ends up like Navy chow if the data isn't manually corrected prior to data entry.  Oh, one more word with migration, if you have it done, have it done by the software supplier, they know their own database (think database constraints) and they have tools they've developed over the years to map out and scrub the data from other commercial off the shelf applications.  Data migration is expensive, it requires a highly skilled team (ie. high paid) to accomplish this as accurately as possible, but you do get your lab up and running sooner than manual data entry.
Measurement Data, some of the potential questions to ask:
Is the device under test and measurement specifications stored with the data sheet so test ratios and estimated measurement uncertainties are automatically calculated?
Does the software utilize mathematical correlation between different related units of measure? (ie. your standard is Pa and your DUT is inHg20 °C)
Does the software enable additional type A and B uncertainty additions?
Does the software have automated scripting commands built in to support IEE-488 and RS-232 commands?
How many IEEE-488 communication cards are required for the standard and DUT?
Does the software enable information or query windows to open on the monitor?
Does the software enable calculation of tolerance limits based upon a floating nominal?
Does the software enable "normalization" of measurement data upon a floating nominal?
Does the software enable external reports to be used to build specific reporting requirements?
Does the softare allow more than one calibration at a time? (think paralleled DMM DUT's)
Does the software have a recognized and documented interval analysis module?
Does the software support numeric formats such as ASTM E29 absolute and rounding?
Does the software enable retention of coefficient data for use in later calibrations?
Does the software contain a math engine to calculate measurement data?
Does the software contain reverse traceability capability to the actual test point?
Anyway, I could go on and on, but again, whatever software you decide to go with, do your due diligence in investigating what is best for your lab and good luck.

[RFCAL]

MetCal from Fluke is thy cheapest solution and the best solution for the $$$-by far!!We have used this for the last 10 years.We now are server based with 10 licenses.We also use Agilent TME-which may be the best solution for Agilent equipment in a small lab.Every platform,including Agilent TME has it's good and bad points.
  We use Cal Lab Solutions to write all of our software we use on the Metcal Platform.By far,they are the best bang for the buck.The software works after they install and the support is beyond expectations.They write both electronic and mechanical software.
Watch out for any procedure coming from Fluke--Normally they don't work after the download and they can't support it.We have had to go to Cal Lab Solutions to repair broken Fluke software.
At any rate,Automate.It's your best option!!Best of luck in 2010!!

[CalLabSolutions]

I couldn't agree more WestCostCal.  When you are shopping for a software solution you have to know your requirements.  And you have to ask questions both from the sales person and the people using the software. 

Typically commercial off the shelf software will be less costly. But what you get is a solution that is based on someone else's business rules.  If the shoe fits then by all means where it.  But keep in mind changing your business rules can (and most likely will) cost way more.  There are a lot of hidden costs, training people, re-training people, and installation delays. 

Keep in mind the by far the majority of asset tracking systems used in calibration labs today, are home grown solutions.  Build to match a labs exact business rules.  The company looked at everything on the market and said that will not work for our business.  (We will have to build our own)  Also keep in mind that most the off the shelf solutions were first built as an internal solution.

If you decided to go with a custom solution you will get exactly what you need.  But you have to insist, on a spiral development process with several delivery milestones.  With each milestone you will be able to test, see, use and test the software; then provide the development team with feedback so they can make changes.  When you reach the final milestone you will have a system that has been tested by your people. (And they already know how to use it because they were involved from day one).

Our web solution was build specifically for our customer using a spiral development process.  It does exactly what they wanted.  It is packed with features, more than I can start to list; but most important it does things today that were never in the initial set of specifications.  We took the feedback from the customer and made improvements.  Our goals were to make the software increase lab efficiency and lower user input errors.  (And feature for features we were able to do a custom solution for less than an off the shelf system)

I would recommend you put ALL of these requirements at the top of your list. 

"How long does it take to get an update or a bug fixed?" Especially if you are going with a custom solution.  I believe the most important thing with any software solution, is the customer support.

"Does if communicate with my existing software?"  Double entry is a huge time killer.