The current version of Cal Station is Version 6.0.  It was released in May 2003.  For those who may still be using the obsolete Version 4.0, first click on the Cal Station 5.0 button on the left to display a summary of the new features added at Version 5.0.  Then, return here and review the summary of features added with Version 6.0.

NOTE:  It is very important that all current Cal Station users purchase the update to this latest Version 6.0 to:

Graphical Instrument Directory

Several improvements were added to the Graphical Instrument Directory window to streamline user interaction with Cal Station and to further concentrate your access to instrument data and functions through this central "browser" facility.  Access to the following features was added to the context (right-click) menu when pointing to a single instrument in the directory:

New Import and Export Record Formats

As a result of additions to the Cornerstone Instrument Database included in this new version, the format of the existing instrument data export records has changed.  In addition, some of the files that were previously used only for export are now able to be used for import.  In most cases, the export files produced by the new version are not radically different from those produced by the previous version of Cal Station.  In general, you should find that new fields were added only at the end of the previous export record format.

Database File Name Changes

Some Cornerstone database file names include a number that indicates the revision of the database schema.  Since the schema has changed with this release, some of these file names have changed. 

Update of Database During Installation

This new version of the software includes changes and additions to the Cornerstone Instrument Database.  Therefore, a conversion of the existing databases is a necessary part of installing the new version of the software.  The new install process included with this version automatically performs the necessary modifications.

Problem Repairs

Version 6.0 incorporates the entire collection of problem fixes and other internal improvements implemented since the release of Version 4.0.

Cornerstone Cal Station 6.0 – AuditPlus Mode Enhances 21CRF11 Compliance

Cal Station Version 6.0 introduces significant new and improved features for meeting quality audit requirements.  These features change certain aspects of the way that Cal Station has operated in previous versions, primarily in regard to the forced retention of data records.  This new mode of operation is called AuditPlus and is now the default mode of operation for Cal Station 6.0.  This mode can not be changed without the assistance of the Cornerstone Registration Center personnel.

AuditPlus Mode maximizes the data retention capabilities of Cornerstone Cal Station.  When AuditPlus Mode is active, instrument records and their related service history records cannot be deleted and all service history records for all instruments are retained (no automatic deletion of history records occurs).  In addition, the Event Log is fixed to allow for the entry of 14 million event entries, virtually ensuring that no event entries will be deleted.  Many of the new or modified features described below support the new AuditPlus operational mode.

Main Window

To accommodate the new event log, the horizontal size of the Main window was increased to 138 columns.

The maximum number of rows that can be displayed in the Main window was increased to 70 to accommodate higher resolution display settings.

The Tab key can be used to scroll the Main window horizontally to the right and the shift Tab can be used to scroll the Main window horizontally to the left.

Event Log Database

To accommodate the need to show more detail in the Event Log, the Description portion of the event was expanded from 30 characters to 34 characters and the Data portion of the event was expanded from 32 characters to 54. 

Prior to Cornerstone Cal Station 6.0, the Event Log database format consisted of a predetermined number of event log records.  Initially the event log was sized to hold 2000 events.  A setup function existed which allowed the setting of the number of event log entries from 100 to 25,000 entries.  To help meet 21CFR11 requirements regarding the retention of logged entries, the Event Log database was changed to allow it to grow up to a maximum number of 14,000,000 entries.  If AuditPlus mode is active, the maximum is set to 14,000,000 and can not be changed.

If you assume that 1000 events (this is far beyond normal usage) are to be generated each day, 260 days of the year (52 weeks at 5 days/week), then 260,000 events would be generated each year.  Thus, the event log would last approximately 53 years (14,000,000 / 260,000).  An Event Log database that contains this maximum number of entries will require about 2 GB of disk space.

Version 6.0 of Cal Station also includes a new export function for the Event Log so that this critical audit trail can be archived in electronic form.   

New and Expanded Event Log Messages

A comprehensive review was conducted to identify any user actions that were not previously considered critical enough to warrant event log retention.  As a result,  the set of event log messages generated by Cornerstone Cal Station V6.0 has been significantly expanded to capture all events.  In instances where log entries had not previously been generated upon a user action that changed station parameter settings,  those actions are now logged.  Examples of new event messages are:

Event Log Manual Entry Function

The Manual Entry of Event Log Message dialog was added to allow you to place a customized message in the Event Log.  This new feature in Version 6.0 dramatically expands your staff's ability to augment the information automatically logged and permanently stored as the history of all actions on the system.

Print Event Log

The print functions were changed to accommodate the increased size of the Event Log.

Sign On Function

The Sign On function was changed so that a user is only allowed three consecutive attempts to sign on the Cornerstone Cal Station.  Each unsuccessful attempt is logged to the Event Log.  If AuditPlus Mode is active and if the user attempting to sign on is not a System Manager, after three consecutive unsuccessful attempts to log on, the user name is deleted from the User database and a Deleted User event is logged in the Event Log.  To facilitate this change, the User Name combo box type was changed from a drop down type to a drop down list type, which allows only the selection of user names in the list.

Database Window - Select Instrument From List dialog box

A Print button was added to the Select Instrument From List dialog to allow printing a report of all the instruments currently listed in the instrument list.  The report prints two lines for each instrument in the list, showing the information in the list columns.

Database Window - Instrument Edit Function

Fields to show the Instrument Type abbreviation and Category Icon for the selected Category were added to the Edit Instrument Identification dialog boxes.

For instruments whose instrument type is calibrator, the Read Output Delay, Notify Limit, Est. Calibration Time, and Power Sources for Calibration fields are no longer displayed in the Edit Instrument Calibration dialog box.  These fields are not relevant for Calibrator devices.

To be more generally applicable, the NIST Certificate field was renamed to Certificate Number in the Edit Calibrator Specific and Edit Universal Specific dialog boxes.

The changing of the Calibration Scheme in the Edit Instrument Calibration dialog box now causes a configuration change record to be generated which shows the previous and current Calibration Scheme assigned to the instrument.  Previously, a configuration change record would be generated only if the change of the scheme resulted in a change to the Next Calibration Due date.

Database Window - Instrument Delete Function

The menu item for this function is removed if the AuditPlus Mode is active.

Database Window - Instrument Delete Tag Note Function

The menu item for this function is removed if the AuditPlus Mode is active.

Database Window – Increased Data Items

Database Window - Manual Entry of Calibration Function and Manual Entry of Pass/Fail Function

The Manual Entry of Calibration (Zero & Span) dialog was modified to allow the entry of a Certificate Number for instruments of type calibrator or universal device.  This is an alphanumeric field that will hold up to 32 characters.  It should be used to record the calibration certificate numbers issued each time the calibrator is recertified.  This field is enabled only for instruments of type calibrator or universal device and when the Test Cal Date and Time is later than the current Last Configuration Change date for the instrument.  The Certificate Number provided here becomes the current Certificate Number for the calibrator and a configuration history record is generated for any change to the Certificate Number.

The three Test Equipment ID drop lists in both Manual Entry of Calibration dialogs (Zero & Span and Switch) were replaced by three read only entry fields to show the identity of the pieces of calibration equipment used.  Three push buttons were added to allow selection of the calibration equipment used by displaying the new Select Calibrator From List dialog box.

Print Cal Worksheet Function

A problem with this function was fixed so that the advisory text is wrapped properly within the margins of the print out.

Configure Identification Function

Fields to show the Instrument Type abbreviation and Category Icon for the selected Category were added to the Configure Identification dialog boxes.

Instrument Test Information Function

The three Test Equipment ID drop lists in Test Information dialog box were replaced by three read only entry fields to show the identity of the pieces of calibration equipment used.  Three push buttons were added to allow selection of the calibration equipment used by displaying the new Select Calibrator From List dialog box.

View Details for Configuration Changes Function

The View Configuration Change Details dialog was changed so that its column positions are saved when the dialog is closed.

Service Delete Function

The menu item for this function is removed if AuditPlus Mode is in effect.

Print Service Details Function

The Certificate Number is printed in the History Calibration Detail reports if the instrument is a calibrator or universal device.

Docking Window

The tree control used by the Docking window can contain up to 16,000 entries.  Each route is limited to 200 instruments.  Thus, 80 routes with the maximum number of instruments per route fill the tree control.  Because of the tree control limitations, it is not practical to disable the deleting of routes and instruments from routes.  NOTE:  The deletion of an instrument from a route does not delete the instrument from the database.  With Version 6.0, event log messages are now posted to record creation of new routes, route deletions, instrument additions to routes, and instrument deletions from routes.

An item was added to display appropriate help for the header area of the Route list.

Route Status Function

Event log messages are generated whenever the Route description is changed.

Three push buttons in the Calibration group of the Route Status dialog were added to allow the viewing, via the View Instrument dialog, of the instrument parameters for the calibration equipment used.  If there is no calibration equipment for the associated button, the button is disabled.

Download Manual and Upload Manual Functions

The three Calibrator drop lists in the Confirm Manual Download dialog were replaced by three read only entry fields to show the identity of the pieces of calibration equipment used.  Three push buttons were added to allow selection of the calibration equipment used by displaying the Select Calibrator From List dialog box.

Reports Window

Reports Window changes were required since the Event Log report is displayed in this window. 

The Tab key can be used to scroll the Reports window horizontally to the right and the shift Tab can be used to scroll the Reports window horizontally to the left.

The maximum number of rows that can be displayed in the Reports window was increased to 70 to accommodate higher resolution display settings.

New Report Style – A new Historical Tag style has been created to make possible the generation of a report that lists all devices that were ever assigned to a specified tag name.

Select Event Log Report Criteria Function

The Event Log Report Criteria dialog was enhanced to provide additional report criteria options.  The User field is now a combo box which allows the selection of a given user or the input of a wild card string to be used as the User criterion.  The Event field is now a combo box which allows the selection of a given event or the input of a wild card string to be used as the Event criterion.  The Data field was added to allow the input of a wild card string to be used as the Data criterion, which is matched against the data portion of event log messages.  Thus, for example, the Data criterion can be used to find all event log messages for a specified Tag or Route.

Utilities Export Event Log Function

This function was added to allow the export of entries from the Event Log.

Registration Manager Changes

The Transfer menu item was removed from the Registration Manager, and the documentation for the transfer function was removed from the Registration Manager manual and from help.

To facilitate a faster startup of the Registration Manager on Windows XP systems, the retrieval of current authorization information is delayed until the display of the Registration Manager main window is complete.  Previously, the retrieval of the current authorization information was done prior to the display of the Registration Manager main window.  This resulted in a very slow startup of the Registration Manger on Windows XP systems, especially Multi-User systems.  A status bar message is provided while the authorization information is being retrieved to inform the user of the current activity.

The retrieval of the authorization information was also optimized to speed up the process.

Install Changes

During the installation of a virgin standalone Cal Station, an opportunity is given to provide a path for the Tag Note files and templates, similar to the way that an opportunity is given for the specification of an alternate Database path.

During update installs, the Docking Calibrator entry “Hathaway/Beta” is changed to “BETA Calibrators”, if necessary.

During update installs, the “NIST Certificate” label in the reports initialization file (Reports.ini) for the “Calibration info” report style is changed to “Certificate Number”.

A check was added so that an install cannot be made to the root directory of a disk.

For multi-user systems, the SubStation install converts the existing event log database to the new event log database for Version 6.0.  A new empty reports database is installed.

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Specifications subject to change without notice.
This site was last updated on 17 May 2005.