What's New in Quality Monitor 2.4

NWA has released Version 2.4 of NWA Quality Monitor. Version 2.4 includes:

• Full compatibility with the NWA Quality Analyst 6.1 file formats.
• Additional data types such as database-standard date/time formats.
• Actions and functions can now be performed "on startup" and "on exit".
• Combined "date time" data type that is commonly available with commercial databases, and new calculation functions that support it.
• Additional database connectivity capabilities that enable seamless integration with NWA Quality Information Server to deliver quality system solutions.
• More information coming soon!

All users on maintenance will automatically receive the updated version.

What was new in NWA Quality Monitor 2.3

Writes data to multiple databases
QM will now write any combination of fields to any combination of ODBC database tables. For example, measurement data, defect counts, and assignable causes can now be written to separate database tables. The database write function also supports 'normalization' ñ Quality Monitor will automatically structure the data when writing to normalized tables.

Reads information from databases
Quality Monitor will now automatically read information from a database before data is entered into a new record. This function can be used to load descriptive information about a sample, data for calculations, etc. The data can be read from ODBC databases or Quality Analyst DAT files.

Reads specifications from database
Specifications can now be automatically read from ODBC databases or disk files when a Quality Monitor screen is first loaded or before data is entered into a new record. This allows product specifications to be stored in a central database, and also provides support for collecting data for multiple products using a single Quality Monitor Data Set.

"Workstation Link"
Quality Monitor now provides direct support for automatically sharing data and other information among multiple Quality Monitor Workstations. Data collected on one workstation can now be automatically sent to another as soon as it is entered. Typical uses include sending product weights collected at one workstation to be used as beginning weights at a workstation further down a process line, or providing key measurement or defect data from where it is collected to where it may be used. The data can be transmitted through disk files or ODBC databases.

"Quick view" of data
Recent data records can now be displayed in a pop-up window in spreadsheet form. This supplies a historical context while viewing the current record.

New calculation functions
Calculations may now include 'string' functions (extracting portions of text strings) and logical operations (IF, OR, XOR, NOT, ELSE, and WHEN).

Window size and location control
The size and location of various Workstation windows can now be pre-defined and locked, including the data entry screen, graphics display, help, etc.

Alarms on Pattern Rule and Calculated SPC limit violations
Quality Monitor will now alarm in real-time on Pattern Rules and SPC limits that are automatically recalculated. Prior versions did not alarm on Pattern Rule violations and required fixed SPC limits for real-time alarms.

Direct Modification of HED file
Quality Monitor will now directly modify the Quality Analyst 'Header' (HED) file, writing parameters such as product specifications.

Dynamic picture control
Pictures displayed on data entry screens can now be linked to field content such as product codes, allowing the picture to change based on the information being entered.

WAV (sound) file support for alarms
Quality Monitor now supports the use of WAV file sound generation as an alarm action.

New "On alarm" functions
Quality Monitor can now perform additional tasks when alarm conditions have been detected (specifiations, SPC limit, or pattern rule violations). These new functions include displaying SPC charts, executing Run Files, or launching external programs (distribute alarm messages, activate or de-activate equipment, etc.).

Automatic Email alarm generation
Quality Monitor workstations with email capability can now send pre-defined email messages triggered by alarm conditions (specifiations, SPC limit, or pattern rule violations).

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