FAQs

TrackAbout Frequently Asked Questions

Core Tracking

Q- What are sync problems?

A- The number adjacent to Sync Problems represents the number of sync attempts that did not fully process. There are a number of reasons why a handheld would fail to fully process once it reaches the TrackAbout server. It is important to address sync problems quickly as data reached the server in these cases, but they have not fully processed which can affect things such as reports and billing.

Q- What are Ungrouped Audit Records?

A- The number of Audit actions on which assets were scanned but which have not yet been associated with an Audit group. Typically groups are categorized with a title such as customer name. Any ungrouped records displayed here become orphaned until a group is assigned.

Q- What are Records Scanned in the wrong sequence?

A- Records Scanned in the Wrong Sequence represents sequences that are flagged as being in an order that is not logical. For example, an asset may have a delivery action followed by another delivery to a different customer.

Q- What are Non-Delivery Records with Unclassified Assets ?

A- It is likely that this is a result of a new barcode being applied to an asset without having an Add New action performed. The barcode is then subsequently scanned and appears on records as an Unclassified Asset.

Q- What is a collision?

A- A collision occurs when an attempt to attach an asset to a record was made, but TrackAbout was not able to uniquely identify the asset using either the barcode, serial number, or both. The asset on the record which caused the collision will not be saved in TrackAbout until the collision is resolved.

Q- What is an unverified invoice?

A- Invoices are flagged as Unverified Invoices if there are discrepancies between the business system’s version of an invoice and the assets that actually got scanned on an invoice through TrackAbout.

Q- What is a Customer Audit?

A- TrackAbout software provides the capability for you to visit a customer's location and perform a physical audit of all assets on premise. Such an audit benefits both you and your customers in that everyone is assured that inventory and charges are accurate. To initiate an audit, have one or more employees with mobile devices running TAMobile scan every asset they can find using the Customer Audit feature of TAMobile. If they find assets that do not have barcodes but which are definitely owned by the distributor, they can perform an Add New action to enter them into the TrackAbout system on the spot. When the employees return to the branch, they sync their scanners, review the audit results, and fix asset discrepancies.

Hardware

Q- What is the difference between a warm boot and cold boot?

A- A warm boot restarts the mobile computer by closing all running programs. All data that is not saved is lost. A cold boot also restarts the mobile computer, but erases all stored records and entries from RAM. Note that Windows mobile 6.1 (MC3190) does not erase flash memory after a cold boot. A cold boot also returns formats, preferences and other settings to the factory default settings...Read More

Q- How do I perform a warm boot on my handheld?

A- Press the Power button for five seconds. (varies depending on handheld make/model).

Q- How do I perform a cold boot on my handheld?

A- Simultaneously press and then release the 1, 9 and Power keys. Do not hold down any other keys or buttons. As the mobile computer initializes, the splash window, appears for about a minute. (varies depending on handheld make/model).

Q- How do I set the date and time on my handheld?

A- Navigate to Start - Settings - System - Clock & Alarms (varies depending on handheld make/model).

Q- How do I set the handheld name?

A- Navigate to Start - Settings - System - About - Device ID - Enter the Device name (varies depending on handheld make/model).

Q- How do I know what Windows version is installed on my handheld?

A- Navigate to Start - Settings - System - About - Version (varies depending on handheld make/model).

Rental

Q- What are the different kinds of rates?

A- Rental Methods and Rental Rates can be set at a few different levels in the TrackAbout Rental Module (Standard, Bracketed, Customer Specific)...Read More

Q- What are rental classes?

A- A Rental Class is a grouping of Asset Types. The Standard Rate Table is organized by Rental Classes, which determine the way Asset Types are normally rented. For example, an "Industrial, Large" Rental Class could be created for setting rates and rental methods on all 200- and 300-size industrial cylinders...Read More

Q- How is rental calculated?

A- Rental is calculated at the Asset Type level. The rates may be set at the Rental Class level, but all calculations inside TrackAbout are done at the Asset Type Level and then they are rolled up to the Rental Class level as needed...Read More

Q- How are bills generated?

A- Customers are charged rent within a Rental Billing Period. You will need to create a Rental Billing Period...Read More

Q- What are Asset Agreements?

A- Asset Agreements (AKA leases) are an agreement between you and your customer to not charge a customer rent for a specific type and quantity of assets for a specified amount of time. This has the effect of reducing a customer’s monthly rental by the quantity of assets on the asset agreement. ...Read More

Add-on Modules

Q- What is Follow-On Tracking?

A- The Follow-On Tracking Module is used to allow your customers to log into TrackAbout and see information on assets and deliveries...Read More

Q- What is Linked Exchange?

A- Imagine that when you made a delivery to a customer, you also gave them a printout that listed all of the shipped and returned assets. This printout included many of the current properties of each asset. Then the customer loaded this printout up into their tracking system – rather than keying it in manually. This is basically how Linked Exchange works today, except that it's all electronic...Read More

Q- What is Paperless Delivery?

A- The Paperless Delivery Module allow drivers and dock worker to record deliveries to customers without starting with a paper copy of the order. After the delivery the data can be sent back into the business system...Read More

Q- What is the High Pressure Telemetry Module?

A- This module works by having remote telemetry monitors send readings to TrackAbout’s secure data center. From the TrackAbout site, readings can be viewed and alerts can be sent when certain conditions are met...Read More

Q- What is the Bulk Deliveries and Forecasting Module?

A- The TrackAbout Bulk Delivery and Forecasting Module is used to track deliveries of bulk products (liquid CO2, liquid oxygen, etc) into tanks at customer sites....Read More

Q- What is the Maintenance Tracking and Scheduling Module?

A- The Maintenance Module enables the recording, tracking and reporting of maintenance actions and other procedures used in your business to manage your assets....Read More