Built-in Instrument Database
Uncertainty Sidekick Pro features a native instrumentation database and detailed worksheets for entering identification data, parameter tolerances, reliability modeling information and other data.  Because the kind of information you need to analyze measurement uncertainty is not readily available in most data management systems, Uncertainty Sidekick Pro's Instrument Database has been designed so that data can be entered from scratch.  This database was designed using the Microsoft Access Jet 4 engine, which is compatible with Access 2000.  This means that instrumentation data and other information can be imported from and exported to a wide variety of external database formats.

Instrument information and data are added/updated via the Instrument Database screen, which is accessed from the Parameter Bias Uncertainty and Error Source Uncertainty Worksheets.

The Instrument Database screen can also be used to view items and parameters in the database or select them for placement in Uncertainty Sidekick Pro.  Key screen features are described below.

Item Data Table

The top half of the screen contains the Item Data table that shows identification, location, user, host system, recall interval data and whether the item is a reference standard for each item in the database. Also shown is the Revision Date. This is the date that information about an item was last updated in the database.
 
Checking Show Reference Standards Only box fills the Item Data Table with items that have been designated for use as reference standards. Such items show a value of Yes in the Reference Standard field.  Items in the Item Data Table may be sorted by any selected field in ascending order.

Instrument item data can be imported from an external database.  This is done in two steps: 1) the Item Data Update Worksheet is opened by selecting Item on the Update menu, and 2) Import on the Item Update Worksheet menu bar is clicked to activate the Data Import Profile Screen.  The Data Import Profile Screen is used to develop an import profile, cross-reference external field data to the appropriate Instrument Database fields and to run imports.

Parameter Data Table

The Parameter Data table is located just below the Item Data Table and it shows identification, tolerance, user, resolution, tolerance limit multiplier, calibration interval and reliability modeling information for each parameter in the database. Also shown is the Revision Date. This is the date that information about a parameter was last updated in the database. Parameters for an item are displayed when the item is selected in the Item Data Table. Parameters in the Parameter Data Table may be sorted by any selected field in ascending order.  There are two categories of parameter:
 
The parameters of a manufacturer / model number / option, not uniquely identified by serial number or control number, should be entered in the database as default parameters. Default parameters exhibit the specifications that are common to the mainstream inventory.
 
If the specifications for a parameter of a specific item need to be different from the mainstream specifications, the parameter should be entered in the database as a unique parameter. Unique parameters should exhibit a serial number and/or control number in the Parameter Data Table.  

Parameter data for a selected item can also be imported from an external database or file. 1) the Parameter Data Update Worksheet is opened by selecting Item on the Update menu, and 2) Import on the Item Update Worksheet menu bar is clicked to activate the Data Import Profile Screen.
 
Parameter Summary Information
The very bottom screen shows summary specification data for a highlighted parameter. If the View as Reference Standard option is checked, the summary data will show reference standard fields.  If not, parameter tolerance fields will be shown.