The overall functions and features of IntervalMAX are accessed from the Main Screen. Brief descriptions of the screen features and functions are given below. 

File Menu

The File Menu provides options for importing history records, compacting and repairing the IntervalMAX database, maintaining a list of Users and User privileges, management of User passwords, and access to other IntervalMAX databases. The File Menu also provides an Exit from the program.

Test or calibration Service History is imported into IntervalMAX and added to the Cumulative History database. Data are imported through a process that involves defining the interface between IntervalMAX and a user-created External File that contains the test or calibration records to be added. The definition of a given interface requires establishing an Import Configuration via the Import Configuration Screen, which is accessed by selecting Import History Records from the File Menu.

Manufacturer/Models, Instrument Classes and Similar Equipment Groups may be defined and assigned within IntervalMAX or imported from an external database for which a group designation import profile can be defined.  Importing group designations is done by selecting the Load Class Definitions, Load Similar Equipment Group Definitions or Load Model Definitions option. 

Conversely, Instrument Class, Similar Equipment Group or Model Number designations may be exported from IntervalMAX to external databases by selecting the Export Class Definitions, Export Similar Equipment Group Definitions or Export Model Definitions option. 

Intervals determined using IntervalMAX may be assigned directly to external files or database tables by selecting External Assign on the File menu, which activates the External Interval Assignment Screen.

Selecting the Compact Database option instructs IntervalMAX to get rid of any unused space in the History Database.  Selecting the Choose Database option allows the IntervalMAX System Administrator to use a copy of the History Database to conduct "what if" analyses without disturbing the production interval analysis results.
 
Controls

The Controls Menu provides selections for Analysis Parameters, Reliability Targets, Cost Variables, and History Cleanup. The Analysis Parameters Screen is used to set or select Reliability Analysis Controls, Interval Criteria and Options, Outlier Criteria, Date and Time Constraints, Instrument Class and Group Development Criteria and Method A3 options. The Reliability Targets Screen is used to set the Default Reliability Target or desired end-of-period in-tolerance percentage that is applied to Instrument Classes, Similar Equipment Groups, Manufacturer/Models and/or Serial Numbers.
 

IntervalMax can assess the impact of interval changes on workload and on cost from inventory sizes, hourly rates, hours per test or calibration, and parts costs data entered into the Cost Variables Screen.  IntervalMAX interfaces to several commercially available data management systems that can be assessed via the Interface to option. 

The Cumulative History Cleanup Screen provides options for deleting or ignoring Service History records that are non-representative of typical equipment performance sub-optimal intervals.  The Class Cleanup function deletes classes that are left over from previous classes and subclasses that are no longer relevant. Similarly, the Group Cleanup function deletes similar equipment groupings and running analyses left over from previous groupings and subgroupings that are no longer relevant. 

 
Analysis Level

IntervalMAX determines intervals at four levels of abstraction: Manufacturer/Model, Similar Equipment Group, Instrument Class, and System. Analysis at a particular level generates intervals for all items within groupings at that level. The preferred order in running analyses is to first analyze data at the Manufacturer/Model level, followed by analyses at the Group and Class levels. When approved intervals are exported by IntervalMAX for implementation, Manufacturer/Model intervals supersede Group intervals, and Group intervals supersede Class intervals.

 
Selecting Mfr/Model Analysis as the analysis level forces history data to be grouped and analyses to be performed at the Manufacturer/Model level. Items within a Manufacturer/Model grouping have the same specifications, design, and are manufactured to perform the same functions. When this level is selected, Dogs and Gems are identified at the Serial Number level. This is the default analysis level, unless otherwise specified. 

Selecting Class-Level Analysis forces history data to be grouped and analyses to be performed at the Instrument Class level. Dogs and Gems are identified at the Manufacturer/Model level.  Instrument Class intervals can be useful for assigning initial intervals to Manufacturer/Models that can be assigned to an existing Instrument Class.  Instrument Classes can be created, updated or deleted with the Class Code Builder. 
 
Selecting Similar Equipment Analysis History data may be grouped and analyses performed for selected combinations of Manufacturer/Models, referred to as Similar Items. Similar Equipment groups can be assembled using the Similar Equipment Group Builder.  Similar Equipment intervals can be used for initial interval assignment for Manufacturer/Models that can be included in a Similar Equipment grouping.  Instrument Groups can be created, updated or deleted with the Similar Equipment Group Builder. 
 
Assigning intervals by Similar Equipment grouping also serves as a "sanity check" for Manufacturer/Model level assignment. For instance, if the computed intervals for two similar manufacturer/models are different, it may be prudent to examine the Cumulative History Data to determine why.
 
Selecting System determines intervals for items when they are placed in designated systems. For purposes of interval analysis, a "system" refers to an assembly of several Manufacturer/Models. In some cases, it may be desirable to coordinate the recall schedules for component Model Numbers.  In other cases, it may be desirable to identify the system as a single entity with an associated Reliability Target. Both cases can be accommodated through the use of the System Builder.

Selections

All records in the history data can be analyzed at any given system run. However, at times it may be desirable to determine intervals for a subset of the history data only.  In these instances, the Selection Pick List and the Data Filter Pick List  Screens are used.  The Candidate Selection Grid Screen allows the input of SQL statements to specify candidate selection criteria instead of using the limiting cases contained in the Selection Pick List Screen.  
 

Results

Clicking Results on the Menu bar displays the Analysis Results Screen for the selected Analysis Level.

Reports

Analysis reports, that encompass a wide range of management objectives, can be viewed and printed.  Available reports are listed below.  Hyperlinks have been added to selected reports for viewing.
 

Browse

Several Browse Screens are available to view data, current intervals, reliability targets and other information and may be used to set reliability targets.  With the Browse Serial Number Screen, for example, reliability targets may be set at the individual Serial Number level. When an interval is assigned to a Serial Number item with an individual reliability target, the interval is based on that target, regardless of the level (Manufacturer/Model, Similar Equipment Group or Instrument Class) at which the interval analysis was performed.