[ANSS-netops] Database

[Robert Busby]

Hello netops,
The EarthScope Transportable Array uses a system for station visits 
quite similar to that Nathan describes which was based, in turn, on a 
similar system at Caltech for the SCSN.
We have text based templates for various types of station visits; 
construction, installation, service, removal.  The message is sent from 
the tech's own mail account to a maillist.
The subject line includes the type of visit and the station code.  One 
of the recipients in the maillist is a program that archives the email 
and puts the message in a preformed station reports web page for that 
station.
Other maillist recipients can easily access the messages, sort and 
search either within their own mail client or on the web based tool.  We 
also maintain an equipment inventory database but this
captures details of the specific equipment (purchase date, 
modifications, version, other key information) and does not attempt to 
describe the station details.  The installation and service report includes
serial numbers of equipment.  I can provide some examples if interested.

For us, this email system has scaled very well to activities which might 
include 5-8 visit postings a day.  Attachments, photos, or unusual messy 
details are easily accommodated. A side benefit is that
it builds a bit of a community, as recipients are aware of other 
people's efforts (in trying conditions) and the reporting can be 
engaging and entertaining, depending on the circumstances.
Even account administrators can use the reports to corroborate invoices 
or billed activities-reducing the need to compile and file additional 
reports.  It serves many purposes.
It is also easy to execute in the field or back at the hotel, but does 
not require an online connection-at least while creating a report.

One problem that is solved by the web based archive is  its easy review 
the history of a station over a few years.  One entry we find useful is 
to convey items to be done on the next visit.
cheers,
Robert Busby

Nathan L Edwards wrote:
> Hey all,
>
> We are looking to implement something similar.  Someone I talked with said their lab was just using a shared email account (say, stationvisit at seismo.unr.edu) just for station visits which all techs have the password for.  Visit records are sent to the account from the tech's account, and records are reviewed from the stationvisit account.  No database to construct, highly portable, and it's easily searchable by date, tech (from line) and station (subject line), and you can easily send records to your own email account.  As an added bonus, this can easily be done from a Blackberry in the field (where there's coverage anyway).  We haven't yet decided if this is what we will be doing, but I thought it might be worth sharing.
>
> -Nathan
>
> Nathan Edwards
> Development Technician
> Nevada Seismological Laboratory
> University of Nevada Reno
> Reno, NV 89557-0174
> o:  775-784-1106
> m:  775-303-5899
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: anss-netops-bounces at geohazards.usgs.gov on behalf of John H. Parker
> Sent: Thu 2/5/2009 9:51 AM
> To: anss-netops at geohazards.usgs.gov
> Subject: [ANSS-netops] Database
>  
> Hello,
>
> I wanted to ask if anyone is using a database to keep track not only of 
> their equipment, but their service visits. I have been working on one in 
> Microsoft Access, but if somebody else has already done this please let 
> me know.
>
> Thanks,
> John Parker
> Center for Earthquake Research and Information (CERI)
> University of Memphis
>
>   

-- 
============================================================
Robert W. Busby
Transportable Array Manager			508-801-7628
USArray / EarthScope				37 Haynes Avenue
www.earthscope.org/usarray			Falmouth MA USA 02540-2312