Surprising predictions part 4

 How to turn your computer into a powerful measurement data machine

How would you like to turn your computer into a powerful measurement data machine that can download, archive, and report all kinds of data from your systems and controls? The good news is that you can, with the right software toolkit, making collecting data and analysis more streamlined than ever before. In this article, we’ll discuss how to turn your desktop computer into a measurement data machine that can collect and analyze any kind of data from the internet or from files stored on your hard drive or in the cloud.

Introduction

The best kind of gadgets are the ones that make life easier. That's why I'm excited about WiseMeasure, an affordable, self-contained desktop application that requires no connection to the internet and downloads everything you need for a day's worth of measurements. Here's how it works: First, set up the tripod for your instrument at one end of the room. Put the laptop on a table at the other end of the room. Connect WiseMeasure with serial cable or ethernet cable (depending on what type of device you have). From there, just follow the intuitive step-by-step menu options and you'll be downloading, archiving, and reporting in less than five minutes! Once you've got all the readings from your instruments transferred, they're ready to analyze by our reports or export as CSV files. Plus, since we require no Internet connection, you can use WiseMeasure anywhere in the world where you might need it—it has become my favorite tool when visiting a new building! Best of all, because it is so easy to use, you don't have to worry about any user error slowing down your workflow. In this blog post, I'll show you how easy it is to get started with WiseMeasure and let you know what some of its most popular features are. Then I'll share two example uses for this versatile program. How to install WiseMeasure: You can download the latest version of WiseMeasure here. If you already have a copy installed, please launch it and click Next below to continue. Once you open WiseMeasure, a license agreement will appear. Select I accept and then hit Next again. Now choose which interface to start with - MACH3 (serial) or ET3 (ethernet). After making your selection, hit Next again. Select the connection port on the left side of the window; then input the IP address on the right side of the window if necessary. Hit Next again and then enter sa for username followed by 123456 for password if using MACH3 interface; alternatively enter admin for username followed by password123456 if using ET3 interface. Finally hit Finish Setup Wizard. On the next screen, select New Project to create a new project. You'll see three fields that ask for information on your project: Location, Client Name, and Description. These fields are not required but it's helpful to fill them out as you go along. For location, put in the name of the place where you're doing measurements; for client name put your company name; and for description put something short like WiseMeasure test. Under the File tab, make sure Save All Data Locally is selected before hitting Start Recording Data. When you're done collecting data, hit Stop Recording Data and WiseMeasure will start uploading automatically over Wi-Fi. 

We recommend giving yourself 15 minutes to download before stopping recording data. This gives you time to do anything else while your measurements upload automatically over Wi-Fi. It also prevents people from accidentally filling up their hard drive space unnecessarily because they didn't stop recording after collecting all their desired data points.

File Manager

You'll need an easy way to save, edit, and organize the hundreds of measurements you'll be taking with your devices. Your file manager will likely have tools for sorting files by date, name, size, or type. Consider tagging your files with metadata (e.g., instrument ID) so that you can easily search for them later on. Or better yet—take advantage of features in a file management program like Dropbox or Google Drive to automatically sync your files across all of your devices! 

Since we know that many people are using their computers as scientific instruments—considering not only what they measure but also how they interface with their environment—we recommend downloading our powerful desktop software for downloading, archiving, and reporting measurement data. No internet connection required! Our self-contained solution runs from a USB stick without needing any other computer programs or services. What’s more, it doesn’t just provide digital storage; it also creates professional-looking reports, organizes your data in intuitive ways, and automates time-consuming tasks. Best of all? The next time you come back to it after powering down the device running Measurement Machine, everything is right where you left off! With this approach, there's no limit to the number of days' worth of data you can accumulate—or the types of instruments you can use. Whether it's high-precision sound level meters, vibration probes, light meters, infrared thermometers, environmental sensors...you get the idea. All you need is some basic equipment and this powerful software. We're always here to help: check out our website for resources and video tutorials designed specifically for users who want to use their computers as scientific instruments! 

Another program in our family of measurement management solutions is MeasureUp - which turns your smartphone or tablet into a sophisticated measurement toolkit. See, most smartphones have already got you covered when it comes to taking measurements on devices like pressure gauges and colorimeters—but if you'd like better quality data (especially if you work in fields like industry or science), chances are pretty good that you'll need an external probe. In these cases, MeasureUp gives users full control over multiple sensors on iOS devices via an easy-to-use interface featuring real-time streaming graphs, advanced filtering options and analysis tools so that scientists can take complete advantage of these lab instruments . Now anyone looking for fast measurement results using their smartphone will love how quickly measurements appear on screen! Plus, the app has been optimized for quick and easy setup. This means that you don't need to worry about extra cords or power sources. It's especially helpful for those of us who aren't technology experts, and let's face it—most of us aren't. When you set up your MeasureUp account, the app walks you through the process step-by-step. Plus, if you ever forget what to do, there are helpful troubleshooting tips available at every stage of setup. And once you've started logging data in the field, our built-in tracker means you never have to remember when your readings were taken again! Simply enter the time of day and it will log the data for you. Oh, and if you happen to change your mind—say, because it's getting dark and you need to head home for dinner—the software can make a note for you in the future so that you can keep tabs on your progress. A lot of our customers are working with limited space, whether that's in their laboratory or on their desk. That's why we made sure that MeasureUp is both lightweight and cross-platform compatible with devices like iPhones, iPads, Android phones, Android tablets, or even Microsoft Surface tablets! 

Some people are intimidated by measurement data because they think it's too complicated to read or understand. Fortunately this is not true! MeasureUp is an app that not only displays data in a way that's easy to read, but also automatically converts your measurements into units you know. 

For example, if you measure the temperature and it shows a value of 0 degrees Celsius, MeasureUp will display it as 32 degrees Fahrenheit. If you measure voltage and it shows as 10 volts, MeasureUp will display it as 3.3 volts. 

We also offer conversion units for metrics like meters per second and milligrams per liter. This lets users easily compare different measurement values in order to analyze trends or patterns they might not have noticed before.

Reporting

In today's world, organizations rely on capturing and sharing data in order to make better decisions. The problem is that most don't know where to start. Connecting the right hardware with the right software allows you to capture the most relevant measurements within your environment, process those measurements quickly and accurately, and report on them efficiently. With an automated system in place, you'll be able to use these measurements across different parts of your business such as HR metrics, energy conservation initiatives, or performance metrics of an individual machine. For example, quantifying every drink produced at a water bottling plant can provide insights into when it is likely time for maintenance as well as identify opportunities for minimizing waste through more efficient packaging designs. Data collected by sensors can also provide information about how healthy people are feeling, how much electricity they're using, and whether they are being exposed to dangerous chemicals. Bottom line: Data is critical in our modern world. If we want to make smart decisions and continue growing our businesses, then we need access to accurate information as quickly as possible. And this is where Automated Data Collection Systems come in handy. Whether you're just getting started or have been doing this for years, Agilent offers an end-to-end solution that will help your organization collect, process, store and share data - all with minimal effort from you! Our goal is to offer high quality products and services to enable successful measurement solutions that keep your business ahead of the competition. Our three key product lines include test & measurement instruments, laboratory instruments, and life sciences research instruments. So whatever part of your operations you need to measure, Agilent has a product for you! And because we strive to create products that minimize wasted time and resources, you won't spend hours setting up before you get any useful data. Simply install one of our devices or plug in some sensors, download the free Agilent eMQ to your PC (Windows 7+, Mac OS X 10.6+), configure a user account, connect to our servers via Ethernet cable, launch eMQ and go! That's it! Within minutes you'll be able to securely control remote equipment, remotely monitor conditions in plants and warehouses so operators can react faster when there are issues... and even set alerts for future events. No matter what kind of measurement data you need, there's an Agilent product designed to support it! As a global market leader in laboratory instruments, we offer chemistries and processes to suit analytical needs ranging from routine analyses to complex studies demanding accuracy down to parts per billion levels. We also offer mass spectrometry instrumentation that can detect anything from molecular structure identification to environmental contaminants. All of our products allow users to explore their sample libraries online and execute routine analyses at rates unmatched by other labs. From electron microscopes used for cellular imaging and biomedical research applications, protein sequencers for analyzing DNA sequences - even benchtop GC/MS systems used for explosives detection; when it comes to analytical chemistry applications Agilent has everything covered. And if you're looking for an affordable, reliable and scalable data storage solution, then Agilent is your best choice. Our enterprise storage arrays are optimized for mixed workloads to reduce latency and offer simple installation and management tools. They also provide a complete suite of security features that protect against unauthorized access and data corruption. Regardless of the type of measurement data you need, Agilent has a product to fit your specific needs!

Analysis

1. Download SEAMLESS and install it on your device. 

2. Make sure that you have internet access - you can use either WiFi or cellular data (i.e., if you have an iPhone, be sure that the WiFi network is turned on). 

3. Type in the name of the program's protocol (i.e., 'HART') into the box in order to start using the program and measure parameter signals (watch video tutorials on how to set up wireless modules, cables, sampling rates, etc.). 4. Select which sensor measurements you want to record for this specific session. 5. Set the date, time, and duration of this session as well as other parameters such as sample rate and number of channels. 6. Press Start Recording at the bottom left-hand corner in order to begin recording measurements from sensors at the specified sampling rate for a given amount of time with a specified number of channels.* 7. Press Stop Recording when finished measuring values from sensors* 8. After logging out by clicking on Logout button in SEAMLESS client window*, disconnect any connected sensor devices* 9. Uninstall SEAMLESS. 10. If you are done with the current work session, return to Step 1 and repeat steps 2-8 until all desired measurements are logged*. 11. Return to step 12 after logging all desired measurements*. 12. Open spreadsheet software on a different device*. 13. Copy/paste data onto spreadsheet* 14. Use built-in formulas and functions to analyze data sets in order to see trends or patterns across multiple sets of measurements*. 15* Create graphs, charts, pivot tables*, pie charts* in order to compare different datasets. 16* Export the analysis and save results for future reference (such as pdf files or Microsoft Word documents)*. 17* Share data with colleagues or other people involved in project through email or cloud storage services like Dropbox*. 18* Close Google Spreadsheet without saving changes*. 19* Connect to next device and continue performing tasks from Steps 1-14 if necessary. 20. Store physical SEAMLESS equipment safely in case of emergency. Disconnect your computer from the power source. Clean off the top surface of your desk. Remove anything unnecessary, such as pens and sticky notes, so that there is plenty of space to plug in a laptop. Plug in all necessary devices before powering on. Plug a mouse into one USB port, then plug the keyboard cord into another USB port or into an adapter on the same side as the mouse cord. You will need to leave room for both hands--one hand should always be free so that you don't spill coffee or hit any keys accidentally! Plug power cable in laptop directly or through adapter and plug adapter into wall outlet. Turn on power switch and wait for the laptop to boot. Launch SEAMLESS on desktop and open new file, then select Remote Session option. Enter login information and click OK. Login into Google Drive or Dropbox in a separate browser tab in order to share data. Turn off monitor while working on laptop to conserve energy. *If you have a desktop plugged into the wall outlet, you may choose to keep the monitor on and not worry about battery life*.

*If you are done with the current work session, return to Step 1 and repeat steps 2-8 until all desired measurements are logged*.

Accessibility

DataLink is an advanced, easy-to-use, desktop software that allows you to download, archive, and report measurements collected on the DataLink device without internet access. One of its unique features is the ability to preview in real time audio and text files from any PC connected over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi with the unit. With this app installed on your PC, not only can you review past recordings but also input live stream recordings for future playback or offsite access. There are no complicated setup steps—you simply launch the app and connect DataLink to start using it immediately. Another great feature is the ability to copy measurements from one file to another with drag and drop simplicity. You’ll never need to manually open multiple archives when copying individual channels; all you have to do is select copy channel(s) then click on the new file and click paste channel(s). The app will prompt you to create a header label if needed, and then convert any unsupported units. If you want to batch convert files at once, simply right-click on each selected file, choose rename option with duration specified (e.g., 60 seconds), and enter your desired name in Rename dialogue box for each recording including the suffix _b60sec_. The resulting .wav files will be automatically saved as .wav_b60sec