TapeTrack Lite Send Media Off-site

From TapeTrack Wiki

Using TapeTrack Lite, volumes can be easily moved to the offsite vendor. TapeTrack Lite uses barcoding to quickly scan and update the TapeTrack Server with volume movements, eliminating the need to manually produce paperwork for your shipment. Lite will also allow users to enter a return date or define a description on a given volume.

You may use your keyboard to enter volume information, although using a barcode scanner will dramatically reduce the time needed for the processing, it will also increase accuracy.

• Run TapeTrack Lite
• Click to highlight Send Media Offsite, then click Next.
• Enter a log file location, then click Next.
• Enter your user-id and password, then click Ok.

Volume Cycling/Return Date Selection

By checking the box next to "I want volumes to automatically return on the specified date", a calendar will appear. This calendar allows the user to assign a date for volumes to return on. If the return dates differ for individual volumes, set a generic return date for all. Individual return dates can be set later in the process. For other options on setting return dates see the notes below.

NOTE: When scanning a large number of volumes with half having a different return date, you are able to set a return date then continue to the scan and modify window. Scan all volumes with that return date. Exit scan mode then click back. Reset the return date for the remaining volumes then click next. Press the F10 Key to get the scan window back. Scan all remaining volumes. They will be entered into TapeTrack Lite scan and modify window with the new return date.

NOTE: If the cycling of your media is on an automatic rotation schedule, controlled by Simple Management, this can not be overridden by setting a date manually in the Return Date Selection window. Click Next to continue. If unsure, ask your offsite provider.

NOTE: When volumes are on a random cycle, return date information can be hard coded into the VolumeAuto.txt file. This file is located within the install directory of TapeTrack Lite C:\Program Files\TapeTrack\TapeTrack Lite

Sample formats for return dates are contained within the VolumeAuto.txt file.

Click Next.

Entering Volume Information

There are four options for entering volume information into TapeTrack Lite.

• Pre Defined Lists.
• Barcode Scanner.
• Drop Down List.
• Keyboard Entry.

Pre Defined Lists

A Pre Defined List is actually a file or files formatted specifically to contain volume information. TapeTrack Lite allows the user to bulk enter volume information that is contained within these files by selecting them in the Predefined Lists window. More than one file may be selected at a time. The data contained within the selected file/files will be transfered to the Scan and Modify window when the user clicks Next.

From within the install directory of TapeTrack Lite C:\Program Files\TapeTrack\TapeTrack Lite\ there is a file named List-Sample.txt. This file can contain volume information for a given day. It can be renamed and duplicated but all new files must start with "List-" for TapeTrack Lite to recognise it.

If you were to create 5 files for each day of the week, List-Monday.txt, List-Tuesday.txt, List-Wednesday.txt, List-Thursday.txt and List-Friday.txt, each file could be configured with the standard volume movements for the corresponding day.

NOTE: Volumes that are in the file but are not going to be sent can be deleted from the Scan and Modify window later.

NOTE: If you don't want to use this function, delete or rename the List-Sample file from the install directory. TapeTrack Lite will then skip the pre-defined file selection window.

Scan Window

All subsequent entries of volume information into TapeTrack Lite is via the Scan window. Under Advanced, additional information relating to Customer-ID and Media Type can be entered if required. Scan window location can also be defined.

Barcode Scanner

Volume information can be easily entered into TapeTrack Lite with a barcode scanner. Scanners usually attach to the PC via a keyboard wedge or USB port. All scanners can be configured to append a carriage return after a sucessful scan.

NOTE: TapeTrack requires, in addition to volume information, customer-id and media type. This information may be included in the barcode. If it isn't, you must define this in the scan window prior to scanning the individual volumes. Click on the Advanced >> button at the bottom of the scan window, enter the "Default Customer" and "Default Media" details, then scan all volumes to be sent offsite.

Drop Down List

Volume information can also be entered from a drop down list. The drop down list will appear when the user types in their customer number. When just the customer number is typed, all volumes and all media types will be displayed. If a customer number and media type are entered (0001.LT) only customer 0001 and media LTO will display.

NOTE: The drop down option must be turned on at a user management level. Talk to your offsite providor.

Keyboard Entry

Volume information can be typed directly into the scan window. When you have typed the information press the Enter key.

NOTE: TapeTrack requires, in addition to volume information, customer-id and media type. This information may be typed directly into the scan window or you must define this additional information under Advanced. Enter the "Default Customer" and "Default Media" then type the volume information to be sent offsite. Press Enter when you have entered the volume information.

Scan and Modify Window

From the scan modify window users can view media for shipment. Description information relating to a particular volume can be entered by clicking on the description column against the volume. Delete media by highlighting it then press the delete key. Media can be made permanent by highlighting it and pressing the P key. Return dates for individual or multiple volumes can be changed using the Page Up and Page Down keys. (Volumes you wish to change must be highlighted first.)

NOTE: Volume return dates can not be edited if the volume is controlled by simple management.

NOTE: If you wish to scan more volumes, press the F10 key. This will put you back into scan mode.

NOTE: Items within TapeTrack defined as container's appear as a blue icon. When a container is scanned in TapeTrack Lite any volumes scanned after the container will be given the container's ID. This gives you the ability to track volumes that are stored in containers.

Individual media details can be edited by double clicking on the individual volume within the Scan and Modify window.

'Unknown Volumes

Any volumes appearing in red within the Scan and Modify window are unknown to the server. TapeTrack Lite won't allow an update of the server to occur until these items are either deleted or added into the server. Volumes appearing red can occur for any of the reasons listed below

• The barcode was typed incorrectly.
• The barcode scanner misread the barcode.
• An incorrect customer number or media type was used.
• The volume is a new volume and needs be added to your holding.

Before adding volume records that appear red into the TapeTrack Server, you must understand why they are red. If something is incorrect, delete the volume and re-scan it correctly.

New volumes are added to the TapeTrack Server by simply clicking next from the scan and modify window.

Click Yes.

If all information relating to volumes being offsited is correct Click Next.

Download Confirmation Records, appends additional information to the TapeTrack Lite log file. This log file by default records whether a movement was successful or not for each volume. If yes or yes always is selected information relating to Move Date, Repository and Data Clusters for each volume will appended to the log file.

NOTE: If "Yes Always" is selected, this message will not be received again.

If there are no further errors you will be taken to the the TapeTrack Lite Complete window.

'TapeTrack Lite - Complete

From the TapeTrack Lite Complete window, users can print or view the transaction log.

NOTE: All TapeTrack log files are date and time stamped to enable then to be easily referenced.

• View Log File - Opens the log file to view onscreen
• Print Log File - Prints the log file to your default printer.

Click Finished to close TapeTrack Lite.