If you lose power to the pc and wish to continue dispensing oil, you will have to set the meter into emergency mode. When in emergency mode, the meter functions like a normal preset meter.
All pending work orders are deleted from the work order queue in the meter and new work orders cannot be added to the meter. Dispense data (while in emergency mode) are not saved in the meter or in the Matrix data base. When power is resumed, you cannot add the 'emergency mode' dispense data back into the Matrix database.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Additional Matrix Installation Information from Jim Norton
Jim Norton is a Graco Regional Manager and has developed the following process for installing a Matrix 3 system, in addition to what you find in the Matrix instruction manual.
1. Perform an RF test at the site to determine the location of the transceivers. Don’t forget the area where the TLMs and PACs will be installed.
2. Determine which computer will be the server and which computers will be clients as well as transceiver clients. The server should have 2Gig of RAM available and the clients should have at least 1 Gig of RAM available. If the computers are using Vista, then the RAM requirement is doubled. It’s better if you use the computer name, rather than the IP address.
3. One person can be putting together and installing the meters while someone else is installing the software, first on the server then the clients. For the server use the “Typical” installation and for the clients use the “Custom” software installation. Accept the defaults when prompted. A transceiver does not need to be installed at the server. The network ID remains the same for the customer. Network ID #1 is the default. The transceiver ID is automatically assigned by the pc; make sure that the transceiver ID is associated with the correct devices. Primary clients will need to be identified and loaded into the software. A primary client is one that will be able to access the setup feature of the software to make changes or access reports. This can actually be done later if you want.
4. Once the software is installed, you can load the user information, fluids, tanks, TLM, PACs and meter profiles into the server software.
5. Next, register the meters to the appropriate transceiver. Go to the meter and get into the setup screen at the meter. Select register and change the Network and Transceiver IDs to the appropriate numbers. In the bottom right hand corner of this screen is a unique numeric code. Write down this number and identify it by location and product. This is important! Remember to flip the small switch on the transceiver to 422 if you are using the RS422 cable or leave it to USB if you are only using the USB cable to connect to the transceiver. You should only see a green light on at the transceiver. If you see a red and green light then the switch is set wrong.
6. At the server select a meter profile and click on the “Link” button. A window will appear which will list all of the codes of the meters that have been registered. Select the proper code for that specific meter and click on the OK button. This, in effect, programs the meter profile to the meter. All you will need to do is wake up the meter and the programming happens automatically.
7. Register the TLMs and PACs per the instructions.
8. Perform test dispenses to assure accurate programming.
A couple of things to be aware of: Firewalls may be present in the network that blocks the Matrix communication between computers. Your IT person should be present when installing Matrix.
The Matrix Service Engine (MSE) and Matrix Database reside only on the server. The clients will be the Transceiver Server hosts. Follow the network information found in the instruction manual.
The networking feature is much easier than with Matrix 2. The IT person shouldn’t have trouble with this portion. The ports that Matrix uses are defaulted to 20000- 20006 and can be modified if they conflict with other software. Firewall exceptions can be added for the appropriate ports.
NOTE: If you see the meter display “No Signal” when you are performing a test dispense or programming the meters, it means that RF isn’t present. The meter might be registered to a different transceiver. If the meter displays “No PC Signal” this means that the PC network is not responding quickly enough. This usually is due to not enough RAM in either the server or the clients connected to a transceiver or maybe the network setup is wrong within Matrix.
1. Perform an RF test at the site to determine the location of the transceivers. Don’t forget the area where the TLMs and PACs will be installed.
2. Determine which computer will be the server and which computers will be clients as well as transceiver clients. The server should have 2Gig of RAM available and the clients should have at least 1 Gig of RAM available. If the computers are using Vista, then the RAM requirement is doubled. It’s better if you use the computer name, rather than the IP address.
3. One person can be putting together and installing the meters while someone else is installing the software, first on the server then the clients. For the server use the “Typical” installation and for the clients use the “Custom” software installation. Accept the defaults when prompted. A transceiver does not need to be installed at the server. The network ID remains the same for the customer. Network ID #1 is the default. The transceiver ID is automatically assigned by the pc; make sure that the transceiver ID is associated with the correct devices. Primary clients will need to be identified and loaded into the software. A primary client is one that will be able to access the setup feature of the software to make changes or access reports. This can actually be done later if you want.
4. Once the software is installed, you can load the user information, fluids, tanks, TLM, PACs and meter profiles into the server software.
5. Next, register the meters to the appropriate transceiver. Go to the meter and get into the setup screen at the meter. Select register and change the Network and Transceiver IDs to the appropriate numbers. In the bottom right hand corner of this screen is a unique numeric code. Write down this number and identify it by location and product. This is important! Remember to flip the small switch on the transceiver to 422 if you are using the RS422 cable or leave it to USB if you are only using the USB cable to connect to the transceiver. You should only see a green light on at the transceiver. If you see a red and green light then the switch is set wrong.
6. At the server select a meter profile and click on the “Link” button. A window will appear which will list all of the codes of the meters that have been registered. Select the proper code for that specific meter and click on the OK button. This, in effect, programs the meter profile to the meter. All you will need to do is wake up the meter and the programming happens automatically.
7. Register the TLMs and PACs per the instructions.
8. Perform test dispenses to assure accurate programming.
A couple of things to be aware of: Firewalls may be present in the network that blocks the Matrix communication between computers. Your IT person should be present when installing Matrix.
The Matrix Service Engine (MSE) and Matrix Database reside only on the server. The clients will be the Transceiver Server hosts. Follow the network information found in the instruction manual.
The networking feature is much easier than with Matrix 2. The IT person shouldn’t have trouble with this portion. The ports that Matrix uses are defaulted to 20000- 20006 and can be modified if they conflict with other software. Firewall exceptions can be added for the appropriate ports.
NOTE: If you see the meter display “No Signal” when you are performing a test dispense or programming the meters, it means that RF isn’t present. The meter might be registered to a different transceiver. If the meter displays “No PC Signal” this means that the PC network is not responding quickly enough. This usually is due to not enough RAM in either the server or the clients connected to a transceiver or maybe the network setup is wrong within Matrix.
Monday, June 8, 2009
I see two different places where I can set the meter security type. What's the difference?
There is really only one place to "set" the meter security type and that's in the Meter Setup screen. Choices are "System Monitoring", "Pin Code" and "Parts Room Authorization".
The other place you refer to is in the "System Defaults" tab in the "Matrix System" screen (when in "Setup & Reports" area of Matrix). Settings that you choose in this area dictate the initial settings you will see when you add a new meter to the system. Most sites will have similar settings across all meters and it saves you time by pre-populating those settings. Any individual settings made in the "Meter Setup" screen will override these "Global" settings. This applies to most other settings found in the "System Default Settings" also.
The other place you refer to is in the "System Defaults" tab in the "Matrix System" screen (when in "Setup & Reports" area of Matrix). Settings that you choose in this area dictate the initial settings you will see when you add a new meter to the system. Most sites will have similar settings across all meters and it saves you time by pre-populating those settings. Any individual settings made in the "Meter Setup" screen will override these "Global" settings. This applies to most other settings found in the "System Default Settings" also.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
What do I need to do to get ready to install a Matrix system?
What do I need to do to get ready to install a Matrix system?
1. Gather answers to the following:
- How many fluids will you be using?
- How many tanks do you have and how many will need tank level monitors (TLMs)?
- How many tanks and pumps on the tanks do you have? This will tell you have many pump air controls (PACs) you need
- How many meters do you need?
- How many hose reels do you need?
- Do you want to network the system to multiple PCs?
- Do you want to track dispenses for fleet management (unique vehicle ID)
- Do you want Matrix to interface with your Dealer Management System (DMS, i.e. ADP or Reynolds & Reynolds)
- What kind of reporting do you need?
- Decide how many transceivers the Matrix system will need. You can ask your distributor/Graco representative to use the Matrix demo kit to do an RF test throughout your whole facility where the Graco meters, TLMs and PACs will be used and this will tell you how many transceivers you’ll need.
2.) Take this information and compare it to the three different levels of Matrix software available (Basic, Pro, Premier) to decide on the package that’s best for you.
3.) Contact your local distributor/sales rep and ask for a quote. They will get back you with the Matrix Templates and record how each component will be set up (fluid names, TLM profiles, meter profiles, etc.)
4.) Ask your distributor/sales rep to do a test-run of the Basic, Pro or Premier software by building it back in the office using the information gathered in step three. Building the system and exporting the database ahead of time will make for a fast and easy installation on-site later. All you’ll have to do is have the database imported, the software then the hardware installed.
1. Gather answers to the following:
- How many fluids will you be using?
- How many tanks do you have and how many will need tank level monitors (TLMs)?
- How many tanks and pumps on the tanks do you have? This will tell you have many pump air controls (PACs) you need
- How many meters do you need?
- How many hose reels do you need?
- Do you want to network the system to multiple PCs?
- Do you want to track dispenses for fleet management (unique vehicle ID)
- Do you want Matrix to interface with your Dealer Management System (DMS, i.e. ADP or Reynolds & Reynolds)
- What kind of reporting do you need?
- Decide how many transceivers the Matrix system will need. You can ask your distributor/Graco representative to use the Matrix demo kit to do an RF test throughout your whole facility where the Graco meters, TLMs and PACs will be used and this will tell you how many transceivers you’ll need.
2.) Take this information and compare it to the three different levels of Matrix software available (Basic, Pro, Premier) to decide on the package that’s best for you.
3.) Contact your local distributor/sales rep and ask for a quote. They will get back you with the Matrix Templates and record how each component will be set up (fluid names, TLM profiles, meter profiles, etc.)
4.) Ask your distributor/sales rep to do a test-run of the Basic, Pro or Premier software by building it back in the office using the information gathered in step three. Building the system and exporting the database ahead of time will make for a fast and easy installation on-site later. All you’ll have to do is have the database imported, the software then the hardware installed.
Matrix Operation and Installation
Q. Can I operate both Matrix2 and Matrix3 on the same pc?
A. Yes
Q.What equipment do I need if I want to monitor tanks only?
A. Matrix Pro or Premier, Transceivers, USB cables or RS422 cable and converter, TLMs
Q. What equipment do I need if I have a multi-story facility?
A. The only difference in a multi-story facility is in how you route your transceivers. You can either run an RS-422 wire through each floor, which can be difficult if you have a LAN (Local Area Network), or you can put a client on each floor and plug the transceiver into the PC and pass the information via the LAN.
A. Yes
Q.What equipment do I need if I want to monitor tanks only?
A. Matrix Pro or Premier, Transceivers, USB cables or RS422 cable and converter, TLMs
Q. What equipment do I need if I have a multi-story facility?
A. The only difference in a multi-story facility is in how you route your transceivers. You can either run an RS-422 wire through each floor, which can be difficult if you have a LAN (Local Area Network), or you can put a client on each floor and plug the transceiver into the PC and pass the information via the LAN.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Welcome to the Graco Matrix Blog
This is a place where you can find out more about a wide variety of topics relating to fluid management including Graco’s Matrix Total Fluid Management System. We’ll share the latest information from our group of in-house experts and in turn, we hope you’ll share your questions and experiences with us and others participating in this blog. Check out the FAQ posts to get started for frequently asked questions – we look forward to chatting with you.
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