The Elite System - FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) Page

General - My Wand has a bad date and time in it. Can I fix the data?

You cannot fix it. The integrity checks within the data file prevent that. However, it is possible that we can fix it for you.

Bad clock settings in an XL Data Wand are usually caused by one of two things;

The PC Real Time clock was incorrect and used to update the Unloader and from there XL Data Wands were given bad dates and times.
The XL Data wand battery was allowed to become very flat and the real time clock reset to 1st Jan 2000.

The most critical thing is to ensure that you have the correct date and time in your XL Memory Unloader(s). If these are correct then it is "usually" (but not always) possible to repair data files that have bad date and time data in them. Note that we do not add data and we do not "fiddle" data. We use a provable audit trail to correct faulty data.

General - How Can Data be "Fiddled"

You cannot do it. You cannot "add" records or change dates and times of data. The system detects "changed" data and refuses to import it into its databases.

If the Elite System is being used to substantiate a billable expense or for litigation, then adding data records or changing data records can easily be seen as fraud.

There is no method within the Elite System for data to be changed, deleted or added without having been actually logged or deleted from the reporting system. This is a deliberate design feature.

General - How Can I export data from the Elite System into something else?

Once data is inside Elite Reporter it cannot be exported other than by saving in special and proprietary methods which cannot be read by other programs (e.g. MS Word, Excel, Access etc.).

This has been done for reasons of data security and integrity.

General - Is there some "Q.A." process I can use on data?

YES. Please do!
There are four main things that you can do to check the integrity of your data.

Use the reports to best advantage to quickly determine the amount and quality of your data. For example: tailor the Risk Management report to show performance in a "broad" manner that suits you. From that, use the Location Attendance report to get a good picture, then for in-depth analysis use the Centre Visits report to see actual data.
Use the Unloader PC software to check the dates (View Data Option) of the raw data after you have extracted it.
When you unload an XL Data Wand - hit a known button at a known date and time so that you have a reference. From this, you will "know" you hit that button and then can look for it in a report. One suggestion is to use a key-fob mounted button and assign it to a special centre, to make locating it easy.
The specialist programs - " Clock Fix " and "Validate" can be used to determine if any XL Data Wands are having problems with their real time clocks.

General - Why is MS Access not used as the database?

Some reasons ...

Firstly, we believe that the speed and capacity of the system we have used is vastly superior to MS Access particularly when a lot of data must be handled (250,000 records per month does not present a problem).

Our system is also very robust in comparison - it is unusual for our system to malfunction.

Secondly, the ability of data to be "fiddled" in access means that it is not a very secure environment, such that there would be little guarantee that the data being reported were in fact "accurate".

General - What are the Fail Safes?

To many of our users, "data is money" - meaning that the data that they collect has a real and genuine value. Without the data it may be hard to substantiate a billable expense.

Preventing loss of data because of equipment malfunction or operator error is central to the design philosophy of the Elite System.

In general, we do two things - as much as possible and through design we make it as hard as possible for the user to do "silly things" or have "accidents". Secondly, we quarantine faults so that hardware and software problems are detected and prevented from "flowing on" through the system. We try to contain a fault within the device that is at fault rather than allowing it to affect other devices.

The precise details of our strategy are a matter of commercial and intellectual property - however some points are;

When data is extracted from an XL Data Wand into an Unloader, a bad connection or intermittent connection (which is common!) is handled particularly well - data cannot be lost or corrupted.
XL Memory Unloader will not allow itself to be given a "faulty date and time" from a PC (example, 32nd day of the month or 13th month).
Elite Reporter saves data "by the month". If a database for a month becomes broken, it can be deleted then very simply rebuilt from the source data.
XL Memory Unloader performs some basic diagnostics on XL Data Wands when they are unloaded.
A flat battery in the XL Memory Unloader or XL Data Wand will not cause loss of data.
XL Memory Unloader tests itself at switch on time and before data is extracted from XL Data Wands. When chip faults or other problems are detected the operation of XL Memory Unloader is limited to prevent loss or corruption of data.
Unloader PC Software checks data files and will not offer to delete an Unloader if its checks do not show that data has been recorded on disk properly.
Intentional (manual) deletion of XL Memory Unloader data may only be initiated after a password has been entered (to prevent accidental erasure of data).

The above "short list" only hints at the depth of implemented security and design features built into the Elite System. It is essentially as much as can be said without potentially compromising that security.

We take the security of Your Data very seriously!

XL Data Wand - What is its Capacity?

Data storage capacity of the XL Data Wand is 2,047 date and time stamped readings. When full, the Wand will stop taking readings.

XL Data Wand - How Do I Get Data out of the Wand?

The only way to get data out is via the XL Memory Unloader unit. Approximately 8 readings per second are extracted when the Wand is touched onto the XL Memory Unloader.

About the XL Data Wand Leather Pouch

This is a light to medium duty pouch. It will not sustain hard use.

XL Data Wand - Are There Any Precautions?

YES.

You are strongly advised to not allow the XL Data Wand battery to become flat. The reasons are, that it will lose its real time clock settings and a flat battery becomes progressively harder to re-charge the longer it is allowed to remain flat.

XL Data Wand is NOT waterproof - keep it dry.

Basically ... treat the XL Data Wand as if it were a mobile phone - keep it charged, dry and treat with some care and it should serve you very well!.

XL Data Wand - What is the Recharge Time?

We recommend recharging every week for approximately 4 hours.

When the Wand is connected to the Charger, the green led will light to show that it is accepting charge. If the wand is recharged every week it should take between 2 and 8 hours to top up the wand.

If the wand has been allowed to become flat, then it may take 36 to 48 hours to fully recharge.

XL Data Wand - What are the Repair & Refurbish Costs?

Elite-ID Electronic Systems repairs are the cheapest and best available.

Typical repair costs range from $20 to $50 (plus GST and postage).

When we perform a repair we also refurbish equipment to the latest and best possible condition so as to reduce potential future problems as much as possible.

XL Data Wand - Is the XL Data Wand Waterproof?

No it is NOT.

If you get XL Data Wand wet, shake it dry as soon as possible.

If water has entered the unit, please return for repair ASAP - a rapid repair will cost less than having to repair a badly corroded unit.

XL Memory Unloader - What is the Expected Battery Life?

Charge time is approximately 24 hours.

Operation time after a full charge is approximately 12 hours.

Since XL Memory Unloader needs to be switched on only whilst unloading a wand or when extracting data from it to a PC, this allows plenty of time for normal operation.

XL Memory Unloader - What is the Capacity of the XL Memory Unloader?

Data capacity is 65,535 records.

XL Memory Unloader - Unloading into a PC

Use a standard 9 pin male-female serial cable. These are sometimes known as a mouse extension cable.

The Elite Unloader software communicates with the Unloader to set it up and to extract data into automatically named data files.

What are the XL Data Wand and Memory Unloader Failsafes?

Preventing loss of data because of equipment malfunction or operator error has been a focus in the design of the Elite System. We try very hard to prevent data loss.

There are a number of fail-safes within the system. Some are proprietary and commercially sensitive and hence only hinted at here.

XL Memory Unloader has a number of checks at switch on and during operation that prevent data loss. Every piece of data in the Unloader is checked and verified before it is accepted.
XL Memory Unloader and XL Data Wand operate together so that data will not be lost by bumping the Wand onto and off the Unloader.
In Elite Reporter - storing data by the month means that computer malfunction or damage limits the extent of damage done to your data file(s).
The two step process of extracting data and then later importing data is a very good fail-safe feature. If you lose or corrupt a database then you can rebuild it from the raw data files quickly and easily.
XL Data Wand and XL Memory Unloader both retain data through a power failure.
Audit trails within the system allow us to "deep diagnose" faults and in many cases correct and repair data.
XL Data Wand is more robust than it looks. Its low weight and internal construction work together to reduce damage.

Elite Reporter - What is the Unlock Code?

This uses a special pseudo random alpha generator to password protect a section of the program that exposes the fundamental data tables within the program, along with some very technical utilities.

This part of the program is not for users and we will not give out the key codes (which change every day). You can do great damage to the system with this part of the program very easily indeed.

Do You Still Have Questions?

If you have viewed the available documentation and are still unable to locate the required resource to answer any of your questions ...

please Call Elite-ID PH:

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