PressureMAP Version 26 Features
Testing has been completed for the .01 release of PressureMAP Version 26, and this powerful software application is now available for purchase. PressureMAP Version 26.01 provides a significant improvement to the way in which alarms are processed and distributed, plus a number of new capabilities and program enhancements. The following is a summary of the important new features available in PressureMAP Version 26.01:

• PressureWEB™ Support. Beginning with PressureMAP Version 26, MAP System users have the ability to view important system information and reports over the Internet via a standard web browser. This new capability, made possible by the development of an application called PressureWEB, significantly streamlines and simplifies the process of accessing key PressureMAP information.
  
  Among the reports available in PressureWEB are the Device Status by Pipe Report with multiple view options (e.g. View by Device, by Alarm, by Location, by TDs Not Reading, etc.), Specific Device Information, System Quality Index (by Office and by Route), Realtime Readings and Pair Diagnostics (for 289H LSS-monitored offices only), and Alarm Condition information displayed in a pop-up window for each starred and routine PressureMAP Alarm.
  
  During the setup process, users can select the individual offices that they would like to access on a regular basis and select the default Device Status View. Once the selection has been made, a browser cookie is set so that the next time the user logs onto the program, using the same browser, he or she will be presented with a list of the selected offices in a display called My Offices. When one of the office names is clicked, the screen refreshes to display the Device Satus by Pipe View (or one of the other view options that has been defined as the default view).
  
  To provide background information about the contents of the various reports, PressureWEB's report column headings are hyperlinked to short text definitions of the column's contents. As a supplemental feature, PressureWEB also offers a Tools section with links to an on-line cable pressurization calculator and to the html version of System Studies' comprehensive 300-page Theory & Practice Manual.
  
  
• Alarm Distribution Improvements. In previous versions of PressureMAP, alarms were distributed to designated Alarm Centers during user-defined calling time periods one alarm at a time, one center at a time in a sequential, serial manner. An acknowledgment of the alarm was required by one of the Alarm Centers on the appropriate calling time list before the software could continue to distribute any additional alarms that had been detected during the calling period. As the number of offices that could be monitored by one PressureMAP system increased over the years, this method of alarm distribution eventually became inefficient.
  
  In the latest release of PressureMAP, the sendalarm utility has been modified to distribute alarms to multiple centers simultaneously. Alarm acknowledgment has also been refined by replacing the Auto Acknowledge and User Acknowledge modes to the more efficient Summary Report. These processing and delivery improvements dramatically reduce the time required to deliver and respond to important alarm conditions.
  
  
• uM260 Micro Monitor Support. PressureMAP now supports a new office type for the uM260 Micro Monitor. This small office monitoring solution can be used as a true stand-alone monitor or as a data-gathering device for PressureMAP. When monitored by PressureMAP, the uM260 takes advantage of PressureMAP's analysis, alarming and dispatching capabilities. This is a significant improvement from the way alarms are determined and delivered when the monitor is used in the stand-alone mode.
  
  
• Improved Priority Alarming. In this version of the software, alarms for PressureMAP's high priority $F, $P and $A device types will now be distributed to Alarm Centers every two hours until they clear. In the past high priority alarms were sent just once to the designated Alarm Center(s). Now, Alarm Center personnel will be notified without fail of high priority alarms, enabling them to initiate the appropriate response.
  
  
• Backup Software. A new third party software utility, which can be installed and configured from the PressureMAP System Administration Menu, now makes it possible to back up the PressureMAP system to a variety of devices including electronic tape cartridge, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, RAM disk, or to a remote backup source via file transport protocol (ftp). This utility adds greater flexibility for storing and retrieving your valuable PressureMAP system data.
  
  
• New Pair Diagnostics Function. 289H LSS users will be pleased to see that there is a new 289 Diagnostics function, called Pair Diagnostics, that combines four of the diagnostic functions into one display. The four tests included in the menu option are: DC Voltage Test, AC Voltage Test, Leakage Test and Capacitance Test. The tests are performed in this order, and measurement output will display on the monitor screen without scrolling off.
  
  
• Midnight Alarming Improvements. PressureMAP's midnight shift mechanism has been modified so that readings are not settled just because a day change has occurred. The new requirement for a current reading dated yesterday is that it be at least two hours old in order to be shifted. This will give PressureMAP's findalarm function a chance to generate an alarm on the reading before shifting it into the Today column. This enhancement eliminates the possibility that you could miss an alarm that originated at a time close to the midnight shift.
  
  
• New Mega Office.A new Mega Office designation has been established in PressureMAP that provides a single access to a number of subordinate offices. In most cases the subordinate offices would be smaller office monitors, such as a uM260 Micro Monitor, USAM (Universal Stand-alone Monitor) or Dial-a-Ducer, although no monitoring system is specifically excluded. The Mega Office is a type of transfer office, obtaining its readings from subordinate source offices. Rather than create one large transfer file for all transfer offices, as was done in previous versions of PressureMAP, it is now possible for a system to have one or more Mega Offices. Each would contain the source office device transfers specific to that office only.
  
  In order to enable Dial-a-Ducers to be included in the Mega Office, a new Dial-a-Ducer office type has been created in Version 26. In the past, multiple Dial-a-Ducers were listed as devices in offices monitored by other CPAMS equipment. Now, as a unique office type, each Dial-a-Ducer can be included as a source office in a Mega Office. The Mega Office performs PressureMAP's dispatching, alarming, indexing, and device history functions. It does not allow for realtime readings, diagnostics and CPAMS programming.
  
  
• Condensed Email Notification Via Pager for Multiple Alarms. PressureMAP users who carry alphanumeric pagers can now receive a single, condensed alarm via email when multiple alarms occur in an office. In order to receive the condensed alarm in a pager-friendly format, PressureMAP's One Report alarm threshold needs to be set. Once a threshold number has been established, a Condensed Report will be issued whenever the number of alarms for an office exceeds the threshold number entered. For example, if the alarm threshold value is three, individual Brief Reports will be sent until four or more alarms occur. Then a Condensed Report, which is a hybrid of the Brief Report and the One Report, is emailed the pager Alarm Center.
  
  
• Tape Administration Menu. PressureMAP's System Administration Menu now includes a six-option Tape Adminsitration submenu. This menu provides controls for remotely installing the tape driver, rewinding a tape, retentioning a tape, and viewing the configuration of the MAP Engine's tape drive. The configuration option is an important aid in any troubleshooting effort that may be necessary.

In addition to the program modifications and system enhancements described above, a new MAP Engine VII computer system has been spec'd out and certified for use with PressureMAP Version 26.01. The new MAP Engine has a 2.66 GHz Intel® Xeon® processor, a full gigabyte of memory, and a large 37 gigabyte hard drive.

If you would like additional information about this PressureMAP Version 26 and its availability, please call or contact us via email.

Cable Theft Monitoring
We've begun to see an increasing number of inquiries on Airtalk.com about copper cable theft. We know this is a major problem in many countries and areas worldwide, so we've devised a monitoring application called CableWATCH™ that can quickly identify when a cable has been cut and approximately where. When the electrical continuity of a cable has been interrupted, the application generates an alarm and distributes it to selected individuals and locations, bringing realtime notification of a possible cable theft in time for a meaningful reaction. To learn more about this monitoring solution, click here.

Curved Manifold Monitoring Assemblies
For those of you who have ever wanted to mount one of our dual manifold assemblies on a curved utility hole surface, now you can—quickly and easily. Our new Curved Manifold Monitoring Assembly (Part No. 9802-3062-MBV-2) consists of a rugged stainless steel bracket which has been shaped to conform more closely to the curved surface of a manhole collar. Check out photos here.

Installed on the bracket are two Flow Finder Manifolds, each equipped with stainless steel check valves and 3/8" nickel plated brass tubing connectors. A High Resolution Dual (pressure/flow) Transducer is pneumatically connected to the manifold to provide precise monitoring of air pipe delivery pressure and total manifold air consumption. Another version of this curved manifold assembly, one equipped with a resistive flow transducer is also available. Please call for details and pricing information.

Flow Finder Tip of the Week
Back in June 2006 we began posting a new article approximately every week or so which addressed some of the uses, benefits, and capabilities of our Flow Finders. These small leak locating tools, first introduced back in the late 1980s, continue to be one of the industry's most practical and widely used leak locating products. Due to the ongoing relevance of these leak locating tools, we've decided to keep the link active. If you are interested, check our Sitemap page to access the Flow Finder Tip of the Week! articles.

uM260 Micro Monitor Now Ready for Shipment!
System Studies recently expanded its offering of cable pressurization monitoring equipment with the introduction of the uM260 Micro Monitor. This small-office, stand-alone monitor is ideal for cable pressurization applications that require less than 25 monitoring devices. Two versions of the monitor are available: one that is accessible via analog modem (Part No. 9800-6260M); the other, with LAN communications capability (Part No. 9800-6260L). The monitor has been designed for central office and Controlled Environmental Vault (CEV) monitoring applications. It provides monitoring and alarming of four binary devices, 16 transducers (resistive or current loop), and one user-activated control relay. For additional information, refer to the uM260 datasheet.