The displayed options are the number file, minimum, maximum and the minimum length of each numbering sequence. The number file denotes the name given to each number sequence used by Empress. There are two reserved numbering file names in Empress, EMPRESS.NUM and External Number. Both of these numbering sequences are preset by the Empress Numbering System and cannot be deleted.
Number File
The filename value used in the number file setup is the windows filename to be used for the number sequence. This text entry is required to be entered with a .NUM extension for Empress to operate correctly. All number files are located within the Empress installation directory and have the same file extension. If number files are desired to be kept in a subdirectory, the directory name can be included in this entry (ie NumberFiles\Empress.NUM). The filename setup in this option is used when defining tests and allocating a number sequence to use. All number sequences created within this option are displayed for selection when adding or modifying test details.
Minimum
The minimum value entered is the lowest value the number must start from. If this value is set to 500 for example, the first available number to be allocated to a test which uses this numbering sequence will be 500. If the number file is manually set to a value less than limit, the first number will be the number manually set within the number file, however the next number to be allocated will be the minimum value set.
Maximum
The maximum value it the highest possible number that is allowed within the numbering sequence. Once Empress reaches this value, the workstation which receives the last number will be informed of reaching the maximum value and halting the numbering allocation process. Whilst the workstation has the end of range notification message open, no numbers can be allocated to other workstations. By halting the number allocation process, an administrator can intervene to modify the number range before continuing or simply resume operation. Once a maximum value has been reached the next available number is set to the minimum value defined for the test number file.
Length
The length value is the default number of characters the barcode is to be maintained to in length. If for example this value is set to 7 and the number to be printed is 500, the number that is printed on the barcode is preceded with zeros to a length of seven characters, ie 0000500. In some circumstances the preceding zeros cause problems to some automated analysers or their interfaces, therefore these unwanted characters need to be removed. If the length value is set to 1, each barcode will be a minimum of 1 character in length and any barcode number longer than 1 character will NOT be truncated. For example the number 500 with a length value set to 1, the number will be printed as 500.
NOTE: The number file is kept as an external file outside of the Empress database. This has been purposely designed in this manner such that should a database every become totally corrupt and require replacement, the database file(s) can be replaced without any interference of the number file sequences. From a database restore, the operators and test definitions can be restored and normal operation can resume within a short time frame.
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