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METER SKALA User Manual

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Summary of Contents for METER SKALA

  • Page 2 SKALA USER MODULE...
  • Page 3 SKALA SYSTEM GUIDE OVERVIEW Contact Us Page 4 What is SKALA? Page 5 SKALA First Steps Page 7 SKALA Hub Page 18 Using SKALA Hub Page 35...
  • Page 4 Phone: (509) 332-2756 - Ask for SKALA Support ● You may also direct questions to any other METER Representative that you have worked with in the past. That person will be able to assist you or connect you to someone who can.
  • Page 5 WHAT IS SKALA? SKALA is a Digital Process Management System SKALA works in two separate spaces: Physical Hardware. SKALA Hubs, Nexus, and other ● hardware, act as interfaces for technicians and gather data from various sources, including devices, machinery, and sensors.
  • Page 6 - Time and date stamp Create reports - Reading Plot readings - Serial number Manage users - Product name Create products - Batch/lot number Set operating limits - Operating Limits Generate C of A’s Manage corrective actions 9/28/18 SKALA System User Guide...

  • Page 7: Table Of Contents

    SKALA FIRST STEPS Log in to SKALA Control Page 8 Log in to SKALA Hub Page 9 Log in to SKALA Mobile Page 10 Initial Settings Page 11 User Setup Page 12 Product Setup Page 14 Next Steps Page 17...

  • Page 8: Log In To Skala Control

    Log in to SKALA Control SKALA Control is the software side of your SKALA system and where the bulk of SKALA’s features lie. It can be accessed from any web browser and from any device. The website is mobile friendly. It does not require any software download.

  • Page 9: Log In To Skala Hub

    Log in to SKALA Hub SKALA Hub is the physical medium of SKALA and can connect to various devices to collect information. The Hub will also act as the interface for technicians using SKALA during their daily activities. A user will log in to the Hub by selecting their name from the list and using a numerical PIN.

  • Page 10: Log In To Skala Mobile

    You will be given an application ID, and once entered, you will be ready to start using SKALA Mobile. Log in to SKALA Mobile by selecting your name from the list and using the same PIN as on the Hub.

  • Page 11: Initial Settings

    Company: Here you can add your company name, address, and even logo! ● User: This is where you will change your password and PIN to log in to the SKALA Hub and choose how frequently you wish to receive notifications about your product.

  • Page 12: User Setup

    User Setup When you first log in to SKALA Control, you will be the only user unless you have worked with METER to setup others. You are responsible for adding others who will use the system at your facility. Please navigate to the Users page under the Admin tab on the side-nav.
  • Page 13 ● Each user also selects their notification level, which determines if email alerts from SKALA are sent to that user in the case of out-of-spec readings. ● Existing users can always be edited later by an administrator in order to update email addresses, access levels, etc.

  • Page 14: Product Setup

    Product Setup To begin using the SKALA system, at least one product must be entered to start testing. To start this process navigate to the Products page under the Setup tab on the side-nav. For this step, products are going to be covered briefly. For more detailed information, please find the product information in the “Using SKALA Control”...
  • Page 15 Water Activity tests, for example, each will have a different Stage ID. Finally, add the specifications for the test. Operating Limits are generally for quality while Fail Limits might pose a safety concern. Operating Limits must be within Fail limits. 9/28/18 SKALA System User Guide...
  • Page 16 ● After setting up your first Required Test, you may continue to add additional tests until you have covered everything you will be testing in SKALA. ● Once you are satisfied with the Product Group, click Save at the bottom of the page.

  • Page 17: Next Steps

    Hub. The section after will help you actually start using the Hub. If you plan to use SKALA with a native instrument such as an AQ1 or AQ2, those steps will have you using your instrumentation in no time.
  • Page 18 SKALA Hub Hardware and Power Page 19 Network Connections Page 24 Hub Login Page 27 Device Connections Page 28 Screen Description Page 33 Settings Page 34 9/28/18 SKALA System User Guide...

  • Page 19: Hardware And Power

    Your Hub comes with a kit that contains several components for use with the Hub. These can be seen in the picture below. Make sure that you have each piece. SKALA Hub Power cord + adapter Ethernet Cable Ethernet port extender Serial to USB cable Serial gender bender Instrument stickers 9/28/18 SKALA System User Guide...
  • Page 20 Hardware and Power - Powering on The SKALA Hub itself is made to be durable and can be setup in many Production or QA areas. The Hub should be set on a sturdy and stable surface. The Hub is a touch screen instrument, but a keyboard and mouse can be used with it if desired.
  • Page 21 Hardware and Power - Ethernet The SKALA Hub comes with several other cable pieces in addition to the power cord. The Ethernet cable is used for creating a stable, wired connection to the network. The orientation of the Ethernet port on the Hub can make it difficult to disconnect when needed.
  • Page 22 Almost all of these devices will be connected to the SKALA Hub via a Serial(RS-232) to USB cable. One of these cables comes included with the Hub. Please ask SKALA Support if any unconnected device is currently profiled and able to be connected.
  • Page 23 Your SKALA Hub will come with a set of numbered stickers. These are for use with connected devices. When a new device is connected to SKALA, the system will assign it a number that will be called on when using the device. For example, you may have two water activity meters connected to your SKALA Hub.

  • Page 24: Network Connections

    Network Connections - Ethernet The SKALA Hub needs to be connected to the internet for most of its use. The most stable and recommended way to connect is through an ethernet cable. This is not always possible, as an active port may not be available in the Hub location.
  • Page 25 Network Connections - WiFi The SKALA Hub can be connected to your network over WiFi. In many cases, a wireless connection is less stable than a hardwired connection, so it is recommended to use an ethernet port when possible. To connect to WiFi, you will need to navigate to the WiFi page on your Hub.
  • Page 26 Network Connections - Status The easiest way to check the connection status of your SKALA Hub is to go into the Network Settings page. To get here, click on the wrench icon on the Hub, and then select Network Settings from the options.

  • Page 27: Hub Login

    To use the SKALA Hub, each user will need to log in. Select your name from the user list on the Hub to log in as yourself. SKALA will then ask for your unique PIN to log in. If a user does not remember their PIN, the system administrator or SKALA Support can help.

  • Page 28: Device Connections

    SKALA needs to learn how to talk to each device. If you have a device you would like to connect, please contact SKALA Support to see if it is a device we have previously profiled. If we have, we can help you connect it to your Hub. If it has not been profiled before, SKALA Support will help start the process of adding a new device.
  • Page 29 Device Connections - New Device If you know that SKALA can connect to a device that you have, but have not previously done so you will need to add the device to SKALA before using it. If you have a SKALA-native device, such as an AQ1, it will auto-connect and all you have to do is plug it in.
  • Page 30 Device Connections - Reconnecting A SKALA Hub cannot keep track of connected instruments while off. When restarting a Hub, devices will need to be reconnected. When a user logs in, any native devices will automatically reconnect. Other devices will need to be connected again following the steps below.
  • Page 31 SKALA-native device. This means that with the use of a SKALA Port, your instrument will automatically connect every time. It is important to keep each SKALA Port with its corresponding device, as each one is set to a particular device and cannot be easily changed.
  • Page 32 Devices from the options. The Devices screen pictured to the right will show a list of every device that has been added to your SKALA System. Devices connected on the Hub you are looking at will show up in green, while unconnected devices or devices connected to a different Hub will show up in red.

  • Page 33: Screen Description

    Button to add a new sample to the batch above List of readings to be and/or already taken for the sample Area showing any readings in progress Button to add a new batch for testing 9/28/18 SKALA System User Guide...

  • Page 34: Settings

    Settings The SKALA Hub Settings page will be a useful tool for troubleshooting and using your system. The options in the settings page are as follows: WiFi - This page allows you to Network Settings - This page will ●...
  • Page 35 Using SKALA Hub Hub Login Page 36 Batches Page 37 Samples Page 39 Readings Page 41 Verifications Page 48 Locations Page 49 Standalone Mode Page 50 Hub Functions Page 51 9/28/18 SKALA System User Guide...

  • Page 36: Hub Login

    To use the SKALA Hub, each user will need to log in. Select your name from the user list on the Hub to log in as yourself. SKALA will then ask for your unique PIN to log in. If a user does not remember their PIN, the system administrator or SKALA Support can help.

  • Page 37: Batches

    Batches - On the Screen To start any testing on the SKALA Hub, you will have to have an active Batch. Batches will show up on the screen as pictured to the right. The Batch is named by the Product and Batch Number.
  • Page 38 Product being tested. Line is a field that will only appear when enabled on ● SKALA Control. Users will select the line being run on. After clicking Next, users will see a screen to confirm the information is correct.

  • Page 39: Samples

    Sample from the Hub. This WILL NOT delete any data. It only deactivates the sample and hides it from view. If a sample is cleared, ONLY readings associated with that sample will be hidden. 9/28/18 SKALA System User Guide...
  • Page 40 There may be additional text boxes here to fill out ● depending on the Product. These may ask the user for pieces of information like Bin or Shift. Clicking Add Sample will then add this sample to the batch. 9/28/18 SKALA System User Guide...

  • Page 41: Readings

    If there is an appropriate device for the test connected, you may begin a test with that device. If there is not, the test will have to be completed with a manual reading. Completed tests will show the reading value as seen here. 9/28/18 SKALA System User Guide...
  • Page 42 Readings - Results When a readings is taken for a required test on SKALA, that readings is automatically checked versus the specifications for that Product. SKALA is keeping track of what the upper and lower limits are for each of the required tests in a batch. When a readings is taken, it is always associated with the Product and Batch it is under.
  • Page 43 To take a reading from a device, make sure the device is connected to SKALA and then click on a required test of the appropriate type. SKALA will then prompt the user to use a device that is available.
  • Page 44 Once the device has been chosen, click on the start reading button at the bottom of the reading screen. SKALA will then return to the main screen and the “in-process” reading will show up on the bottom of the screen in a small box with loading bars. At this point the user should now start a reading on the connected device.
  • Page 45 SKALA manually. To take a manual reading, a user will click on a Required Test. If SKALA does not detect a compatible connected device, or if the test is inheitly manual, a manual entry screen will appear.
  • Page 46 Hub screen and all of them will be logged to SKALA Control. If a device is going to be used without SKALA, it may be a good idea to unplug it from SKALA first as many devices will send their readings over on completion.
  • Page 47 Follow the steps on the page entering in the information asked for and then click assign reading at the bottom. The No Name Reading will be assigned to the correct spot. 9/28/18 SKALA System User Guide...

  • Page 48: Verifications

    If your device is a SKALA native device, it will also set the offset for you. If the wrong standard is used or if the verification fails, the device will have to be rechecked and the process restarted.

  • Page 49: Locations

    Locations Locations can be set up in SKALA Control in conjunction with certain devices to keep track of continuous data at that location. This may be the temperature and humidity of a room or the weight from a checkweigher on a packaging line.

  • Page 50: Standalone Mode

    Standalone Mode The SKALA Hub can be used offline as well. This is especially useful for native devices that use the Hub as their interface such as the AQ1 and AQ2. It is entirely possible to use the Hub solely as an interface for these devices without any network connection.

  • Page 51: Hub Functions

    Hub Functions - Updates New Software releases are a frequent part of the SKALA System. These updates provide new features and improvements on existing infrastructure. These update usually occur every 6 weeks. When a new update is available, the Hub will prompt users on login to update. It is possible to click no, but the longer the Hub goes without being updated, the risk grows higher for instability.
  • Page 52 Hub Functions - Keyboard and Mouse In some cases it is easier to use the SKALA Hub with a keyboard and/or mouse instead of the standard touch screen use. This is supported and simple to set up. For keyboards, it will have to be a USB keyboard. It can be plugged into the back of the Hub and will immediately work for text entry.
  • Page 53 If SKALA Support ever needs to help you, this tool will help solve any potential issues greatly. It can be turned on anytime and in the event SKALA Support may ask you to enable it if it is not already.

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