Software versions
Tracker Products software version 6.0
Already a leader in bar code chain-of-custody tracking software, traditional logic suggests that Tracker Products should ease up and maintain, but that’s not how we see it. Our goal has always been to keep pushing the limits of technology in order to provide the best possible tracking solution in the easiest-to-use package. Our latest release, version 6, is no exception. With a revamped interface and new features like the Bucket System, Ticket communication, PDF printing and more, companies large and small are finding that the tracking of virtually everything is easier now than it's ever been.
New features include
New User Interface
We’ve updated the overall look and feel of our software to reflect the wide variety of markets that now trust their tracking needs to Tracker Products. Though we still value the current and future relationships we have with law enforcement agencies everywhere, the gun-and-knife layout of past versions has been replaced with a cleaner, more streamlined appearance that’s not only easier on the eye but also more intuitive.
Bucket List System
The first of two exciting new major features in Tracker Products software, the Bucket system allows users to create lists, or buckets, of items for easy and immediate review. Users are free to create as many buckets as they wish - and individual items can be placed in more than one bucket. For example: A user may know he/she will need to work with items based on the date of input. He/she would then add the items imported on selected dates to a custom bucket. That bucket would then be used to quickly locate items and perform tasks such as disposition, check-in and check-out without having to perform additional searches.
Ticket Communication System
The second major addition to Tracker Products software, the Ticket system exponentially enhances the way users communicate with each other within a given organization. Previous generations required users to request item updates and information through outside means of communication - like email or phone messages. No longer. With the new Tracker Products ticket system, users can now create a ticket, or to-do item, for any other user in their system. Once this ticket has been created, an email will be generated and sent notifying the receiving party that they have been assigned a ticket. The sent email will contain a short description of the ticket and a link to the referring section within the system. The receiving party can then modify information within the ticket and send a return correspondence back to the ticket originator. The originator will then receive an email informing them of the receiving party’s response. Both parties can then communicate indefinitely within the system - and every part of this correspondence is recorded and stored for future reference within the Tracker Products system.
PDF Printing and My Print Jobs
We’ve implemented a far superior method of printing within the Tracker Products system. Previously, users were required to install ActiveX and print from Internet Explorer. Now, with the introduction of PDF printing, users are free to work with the browser of their choosing and are no longer burdened with the task of downloading and installing external printer drivers. When a user prints from the new system, a PDF is created and displayed on the screen. The user can then choose to save, email or send the generated PDF to a printer. Not only that, but the twenty-five most recent print jobs are stored for future reference in ‘My Print Jobs’ in the Tools dropdown menu.
Item View and Expanded Customization
Custom fields have long been the heart and soul of Tracker Products software, and with version 6.0, customization has been even further expanded to include item lists. Within our tracking system, users are commonly presented with lists of items, especially in the View Tab. With older versions of Tracker software, these lists were set in stone. Now, however, system administrators can specify which fields and options are presented on pages with lists of items by clicking on the Item Customization tab within the Custom fields dropdown.
Items Without Corresponding Cases
Previously, users were required to specify or create a case as a container for every item entered into the system. Now, individuals can enter items without attaching them to a specific case, although they can still be associated with a case later if the user so chooses. We’ve given users this option because there may be occasions when items either don’t properly fit within a defined case or case information is not readily available but the item still needs to be tagged and tracked.
Improved PDA Functionality
Version 6.0 improves the compatibility of PDA devices in the Tracker system by introducing a more robust web services format in place of the older FTP import system. Tracker Products customers no longer need to install and maintain FTP software on their servers. The new web services are built into our system and provide a much easier network connection.
Note: When upgrading to 6.0 from a previous version, users will need to run an update on each of their PDA scanners/signature capture devices.Accidental Item Entry Correction
System administrators now have the option to quickly indicate that an item has been entered into the system accidentally by choosing ‘Accidental Item Entry’ from within the Plug-in Reports section. Previous versions required users to manually dispose of items entered accidentally in addition to creating notes explaining the error and subsequent correction. With 6.0, the process has been streamlined and automated so that with one click of the mouse users can correct errors and move on.
Delete Case
Because sometimes it’s easier to completely remove a case that’s mired in errors and inaccuracies and start over from the beginning than to go back and correct everything, we’ve introduced a new tool that does exactly that. System administrators now have the ability to select ‘Delete A Case’ from within the Plug-in Report section.
Note: Even cases that have been deleted will still be tracked within the system. Although deleted cases will be removed from the database, their audit trail will remain indefinitely.Mass Duplication
New to the Tracker Products tool box, Mass duplication allows users to create exact copies of any item in the system. Users can duplicate items within a given case or move a duplicate item to a new or pre-existing case.
For example: An e-discovery customer may wish to duplicate a hard drive (stored as an item) and images (stored as sub-items) to a new hard drive that will be stored in a separate location. With the new update, this customer can now simply select the original item and sub-items to be copied and choose the ‘Mass Duplication’ selection from within the Item dropdown menu.
Split and Un-split Items
All items in the system can now be split or un-split at any time. Previously, the splitting of items was restricted to the time during which they were originally created, and un-splitting items was not allowed. To access these features, users can select ‘Splitting’ and ‘Un-splitting’ from the Item dropdown menu.
Examples of Custom Forms
Custom forms have long been an integral part of Tracker Products software. Every customer is unique and each has their own tracking specifications. We’ve seen some amazing forms created by Tracker Products customers at different locations all over the world and we would like to share some of them on our Wiki site for the benefit of other companies/agencies who are looking for a way to better organize their tracking environment.
Feel free to visit the site for inspiration, or send us examples of user guides, instruction books, policy guides and other information documents and if we think it will be useful for other clients, we’ll post them.
Much More
This page is intended to provide a good overview of the many new enhancements in functionality and compatibility included in the latest release but in no way does it encompass all of them. For current customers; As you navigate through the new interface, you’ll notice many new changes that make your tracking environment easier to use and more intuitive. However, if you run into something that doesn’t immediately make sense, we’re here to help. Give us a call at (866) 438-6565 or send us an email and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have.
