Data Import/Export Capabilities

Imports to Testream/CS
A variety of information may be sent to Testream/CS to engage the full capabilities of the system, including:

• Sample IDs
For installations exporting lab data to another database system (e.g., a production system or a LIMS system), it is vitally important that the sample IDs known by both systems match exactly. Without such a precise match, test data often gets misapplied and therefore ‘lost’. To eliminate this problem, Testream/CS is provided with a sample ID import capability. This feature lets other systems send IDs to Testream/CS which will, in turn, broadcast this information to Testream/CS’ Interface Application programs for their use in properly tagging test data.

• Product Specifications
Product specifications may be sent to Testream/CS for redistribution to all Testream/CS programs: Interface Application programs, ReportWriter, Real-Time Display program, etc. These quality parameters—even if maintained and stored elsewhere—can be easily integrated with all of Testream/CS’ lab data analysis and validation activities.

• Other Test Results
Testream/CS can also receive data from sources other than the Testream/CS Interface Application programs. This capability lets lab data be displayed and analyzed along side on line test results, business information, process sensor data, or any other type of discrete data.

Exports from Testream/CS
Testream/CS has the capability to distribute the quality information it acquires to any other database system requiring it. If the target database is unavailable to receive the data, Testream/CS will hold the data records until the target system becomes available. With Testream/CS, lab testing is effectively ‘decoupled’ from network or remote host availability. Data transfer options include:

• FTP File Transfers
The standard data import/export protocol for Testream/CS is FTP file transfers. As part of the installation process, AcquiData provides complete documentation on the required layout of these files. It is the customer’s responsibility to write these files to Testream/CS. Testream/CS exports each test record as an ASCII or xml file written to a directory specified by the customer.

• SQL Updates/Queries
Alternatively, direct SQL update and queries may be made between Testream/CS and any other ODBC-compliant database. Stored procedures will be written and invoked by Testream/CS to effect this transfer protocol.

• PI System Update
Testream/CS has the capability to interact directly with the PI System from OSISoft, Inc. Via a PI API, Testream/CS can obtain sample IDs and do a direct PI system database update with test lab results.

• ActiveX Transfers
Testream/CS offers an ActiveX component that may be placed within any ActiveX container. Via scripting, data can flow between different ActiveX components hosted by the same container. The Testream/CS component will, in turn, update the Testream/CS database with the new data it has received and thus make that information available to other Testream/CS programs requiring it.