How do you control your serial numbered iButtons™ ?
Here at Elite-ID we try to make everything as easy as possible for our customers and to head off problems before they surface. It is in our own best interest!
The "Elite iButton™ Bag" neatly and cheaply solves the major problem of iButton™ serial number control.
All you have to do, is to create a label for a small paper bag. On the label, provide spaces for the serial number, the name of the centre (site) and the location where the iButton™ is installed.
Then, write the serial number of an iButton™ onto the label, put that same button into the bag and staple it closed. The bag is then ready for use.
If someone needs an iButton™ - just give them the bag and tell them that you want the bag returned, with the name of the centre and location where the iButton™ was installed written on the bag, so that you can enter that information into the Elite Software.
If you are an existing customer of Elite-ID and would like a sample of an iButton™ bag - just contact us and we will post one to you free of charge!
| Installing iButtons™ into the Elite System |
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Without doubt, the best way to install iButtons™ into the Elite System is by;
- Recording the serial number of the iButton™ onto paper along with the name of the centre and location you are installing it at.
- Install the iButton™ - glue it to the location.
- Wait ... leave the iButton™ to be hit by XL Data Wand(s) by patrolling staff - or take your own XL Data Wand with you.
- When you import data into the system with this serial number in it, it will be "in error" because the serial number is "unknown" - you have not yet installed it.
- Use your written record of centre, location and serial number to update the database. By waiting for the "error" you are able to copy and paste the serial number and use the "wizard" software in Elite Reporter - this makes it a lot easier.
- Re-import the data and then you will be able to generate reports.
The biggest problem with this is the discipline of recording onto paper, the iButton™ serial number and a description of the location where that button is installed.
In our experience, it is all too easy to make a mistake or "worry about it later".
That is why we use the "Elite iButton™ Bag".
When you are ready to install iButtons™ ...
- Affix the iButton™ to the location where you require it to be installed.
- Critical - Write the name of the site (centre) and the name of the location where you installed the iButton™ onto the bag.
- Record the attendance with one or more XL Data Wands.
- This forms your record of where you installed your iButtons™.
- Keep bags in a safe place - you will need them later when you configure your database (because you need the name of the centre and location that matches a serial number).
- Wait until you import data into Elite Reporter before proceeding.
- After importing data, go to the error batch (data menu, option 2).
- Select the line with the serial number you want to install, to copy the serial number into the computer's clipboard.
- Use the Wizard to install the new button. You will need the information about serial number, centre and location that is all recorded on the bag.
- Locate the iButton™ bag that has the serial number you are installing written on it.
- Paste the serial number from the computer's clipboard into the serial number field.
- Select an existing centre or a new centre (new if this centre has never been setup before).
- Select an existing location (if replacing) or a new location (new if there has not been an iButton™ setup there before).
- Set the install date to "before" the location was installed.
- Save your data.
- Back at the error batch, select the whole batch then click on the re-import button. The errors to this button will disappear and you can now report on it.
- File your old bag away in case you need it later.
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