To get to the help page you want ...
Help pages contain panels that can be toggled open or closed. Click a panel's title, for example, Using Tracker 8 help or Find items in this screen, to toggle that panel open or closed. Click Toggle all in the upper right corner of the top-most panel to open all the panels that are closed and close all the panels that are open.
Help pages open in a new tab in your browser. To return to Tracker 8, click on its tab or close the help tab.
You may not see some of the screens, menus, buttons, etc. described in this help system. What you see depends on the rights assigned to you by your organization's Tracker manager and the options your organization has selected.
With Tracker 8, you can use a smart phone, tablet or computer to find the items you need. The instructions in this panel are for a smart phone or tablet running the Tracker's find and add to cart screen (click here if you're using a computer).
If you're an experienced Tracker 7 user or are familiar with your organization's item numbers and descriptions, we recommend using the Tracker's fast add to cart screen to find and order items.
For additional options and more detail, check out the help pages for the Find and add to cart, Fast add to cart and Items screens.
Ordering items in Tracker 8 is like ordering from an online store: you find the items you want, add them to your cart then place your order.
The instructions in this panel are for a smart phone or tablet. Instructions for a computer are in the help pages for the Find and add to cart, Fast add to cart, Cart and Orders screens.
For additional options and more detail, check out the help pages for the find and add to cart, fast add to cart, cart and orders screens.
Click the Data or Utilities icon in the main menu then the screen you want.
To add a record, click the Add icon in the grid menu in the upper right corner of the grid.
To edit, click the Edit icon. If you click in the record or the field in the record you want to edit first, the cursor will appear in that record or field.
After you click the Add or Edit icon, the grid menu changes.
Click the Add icon to add another record, the Save icon to save, the Cancel icon to undo any changes you've made since your last save.
Clicking the Add or the Edit icon puts you in editing mode. Once in editing mode, you can add or edit as many records as you like but can't change your search or move to a different page until you save or cancel (pages are explained in the Grids section of this help overview).
To delete, select the record(s) you want to delete by clicking checkbox(es) in the left-hand margin of the grid (you can select more than one) then click the Delete icon in the grid menu.
New tools, equipment and supplies ("items" in Tracker 8) are a special case.
While you can add new items with the Add icon, you'll have to switch to other screens if you want to add a new description, rate type or maintenance schedule, assign the item or record the item's cost. The NEW ITEM WIZARD and DUPLICATE ITEM WIZARD do all that for you.
See items for more detail and additional options.
On a computer
On a smart phone or tablet
You may not see all these icons and choices. What you see depends on the rights assigned to you by your Tracker 8 organization manager.
With the exception of a few frequently-used smart phone and tablet screens (like those pictured in the Find items and Order items panels of this help page), Tracker data are displayed in grids like those shown below.
The current view is displayed above each grid on the right. If a complex search or sort are active, they're also displayed.
Searches and sorts don't need to be complex. Quick searches are described in search. To sort quickly, click on a column heading: the first click gives you an ascending sort, the second, a descending sort.
A view is a customizable selection of columns or fields. You can have several views of the same table, each with different columns.
If you have the required user rights, you can add and edit your own user views, sorts, searches and reports. You can also specify the default view, sort and search used the first time you open a screen.
The grid menu is in the upper right corner.
Data are usually broken into pages of 50 rows (you can change that number in user preferences). This improves system performance by retrieving just a page of data at a time. Page controls are in the lower left corner.
You can temporarily modify most grids by manipulating column headings. Temporary modifications last only as long as the grid is open. For permanent changes, create or edit a view.
Tracker 8 works on any device that runs a modern browser. No installation is required (unless you want to read barcodes with a smart phone).
TRAINING AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Tracker 8 fees (Tracker 8 Lite excepted) include technical support by email or, when we're available, phone (we're normally available during California business hours) and over-the-web training and simple data imports. Technical support does not include complex data imports or custom coding (for which we charge $50 per quarter-hour) or on-site training (for which we charge $150 per hour plus travel expenses).
Tracker 8 Lite fees do not include technical support or over-the-web training. We reserve the right to charge Tracker 8 Lite customers $50 per quarter-hour for either.
SUGGESTED DATA ENTRY SEQUENCE
If you're a Tracker 8 organization manager ...
Then enter or import your data in this order:
TOOL TRACKING PROCEDURES
You need tool-tracking procedures that insure your data is captured consistently and reliably. This is true whether your system is computerized or not: white board, log book, and spreadsheet-based tool tracking systems will fail if updated inconsistently.
Many companies using the Trackere put a computer in the warehouse and let their warehousemen enter tool transfers. Some have their warehousemen fill out tool 'chits' that are entered by office personnel. With Tracker 8, field users can order and (if given the right) record shipments and purchases. Some companies use barcoding, some enter everything with a keyboard. Some have locked tool cages, others have warehouses with open doors. Some have long-time employees, others see new workers every day. Your situation will dictate the procedures you need.
Do you need to assign an employee to track tools? Normally, yes. That person will generally be motivated to keep the data current. Even long-time, trusted employees can forget to record a tool transfer. If you're trying to implement a tool-tracking sytem on top of an honor system (where people just take what they need), you'll need to make a special effort to get people to change their habits and record the data. If you're using a logbook or whiteboard, they can be shown pretty easily. But if you're using a computer, some training will be required. It can be done, just be prepared for some inconsistency, keep your eye on the system and re-train anyone who's getting it wrong. Can barcoding address this issue? Yes, but don't assume that your employees will pick a barcode reader up and know what to do with it.
Is tool-tracking a full-time job? In most companies, no.
What about job-to-job transfers? With Tracker 8, job-to-job transfers can be recorded by field personnel if they've been given the right to do so. Alternatively, many companies print inventory reports every week or month and tell their foremen to report discrepancies. Others have employees fill out job-to-job transfer forms. Others wait until jobs are finished then print a report of everything that hasn't been returned. A carrot or stick may help, e.g., you might charge jobs for 'missing' tools.