Q: Why, when, and how should I back up my computer's data?

Your backup regimen should encompass the entire spectrum of your computerized data system, not just the DrugPak Software Suite. The DrugPak Software Suite will not backup your data. There are many complete and economical off-the-shelf backup systems available. For speed, convenience, and security, we recommend a tape backup system. Such systems are designed to provide thorough and flexible backup options. Windows 9x/NT/2K/XP offers limited support of tape back-up systems as well.

For maximum security you should backup your data with a rotating backup library that saves at least three generations of data. You should also backup your programs and data before installing any program update that will make modifications to your database (DrugPak Software Suite warns you with on-screen messages of this situation during the update process). A knowledgeable data processing consultant can devise a complete backup scheme to protect your system's configuration, programs, and data.

Q: Where's the manual for the DrugPak Software Suite?

A: Like the key ingredient that contributes to the great taste of Prego sauce, "It's in there!" The electronic on-line version of the manual is available by selecting it from the Help pull-down menu. You can also obtain a printed copy of the manual by selecting Print Manual from the same Help pull-down Menu.

Q: How do I cancel an entire random selection?

A: You will want to take advantage of the "Cancel an Entire Batch" feature found under the Tools Menu. There are several options and conditions that must be satisfied before canceling any test. These include selecting to cancel for a specific company or all companies, the type of test substance (drugs, alcohol, or both), the batch number (remember random batches begin with the letter "R"), the date of record for the canceled test (required), and the disposition code that explains the reason for the cancellation along with any free-format comments that may be appropriate. Cancel an Entire Batch can also be used to conveniently cancel any remaining unfulfilled tests in a batch because the procedure will optionaly not alter any test records that are marked REFUSED or contain any legitimate results. For further detailed explanations on this procedure, consult the on-line help.

Q: I have a contact name or address information that should not have the first letter capitalized. How can I defeat the automatic capitalization features?

A: The auto capitalization procedures are very convenient for data entry, but there are rare occasions when they are unwanted. In these circumstances you have to be devious and fool the computer. Simply type the first letter twice. The first instance will be capitalized, but the second will not. Then use your back arrow key to get the insertion point next to the unwanted character. Press the backspace or delete key (as appropriate) to remove the unwanted character and you have the desired result.

Q: How do I print a specific report from the several reports that are available from the Summary of Drug Testing?

A: Choosing any one page or report for hard copy printing is easy. First make sure that you are directing the print output to a preview window using the Report Destination option. Once the report(s) appear in the window, close the unwanted window(s) and print the desired report(s). If only selected pages are needed from a given report, choose the page number(s) from the print dialog box.

Q: How can I stay up-to-date on DrugPak Software Suite issues?

A: Contact a Scanlon Associates representative to discuss joining our technical support plan, and all program upgrades will be mailed to you free of charge. Every member of our support plan receives an e-newsletter with tips, features, and news about DrugPak. Otherwise, visit our home page on the World Wide Web at www.scanlonassociates.com to stay abreast of DrugPak Software Suite development issues.

Q: Why aren't any participants chosen for my Random selection even though I have specified several different occupations, home bases, and pool groups?

A: The random selection process is powerful, but also sometimes complex. The precise rules for making selections outlined in the on-line help and manual, but they can be summarized in three words: AND, AND, and AND! This means that when you choose occupations, home bases, and pool groups, for a participant to be eligible, s/he must belong to one of the specified occupations, AND one of the home bases, AND one of the pool groups.

One of the most common mistakes is using pool groups in the first place. For almost every application, since you can choose based on company affiliation, occupation, and/or location, pool groups are unnecessary. Pool groups would be useful to test blonde males with shoe size smaller than eight because such a pool does not depend on company affiliation, occupation, and/or location. This might seem like an extreme example, but pool groups were created for use when the other parameters are not sufficient. For the vast majority of cases, the best idea is to leave the Pool Group code in the participant file blank. Then select based solely on occupation or location and leave the Pool Groups Selected lookup list blank.

Q. How do I request a program enhancement?

A: Ideally you should not call to speak with a technical support representative, but instead e-mail your request for a change. This way we can keep your precise specifications on file, along with any additional supporting documents which you may choose to provide.

Q: How can I keep the MRO signature line from printing on the top of the second page in the Results Letters?

A: Decrease the value in the top margin setting then the letter will not "spill over" onto a second page.

Q: Which fields should be completed for a DOT test versus a Non-DOT test?

A: The DrugPak Software Suite is designed to meet DOT specifications for recording and reporting because these specs are viewed by the industry as being the highest standard. For the DrugPak Software Suite to operate properly and provide meaningful reports, only the collection date and test results are necessary. However, if you are acting as a Third Party Administrator (TPA) and print results letters or perform any DOT required reporting functions for your clients, then all fields must be completed for proper compliance.

Q: Where can I get information to keep current with testing regulations and requirements?

A: As a TPA you are probably expected to provide expert advice and guidance to your clients. You also want to avoid any potential future problems. A great source of industry information is the Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association found at http://www.datia.org. Another good (and inexpensive) source of information available on testing and collections is the MRO Handbook published by Quadrangle Research, one of our software distributors located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Another Quadrangle publication, MRO Alert is a newsletter that can keep you up-to-date on changes in the industry. Phone them directly at 800-489-1839 for more information on these and other products they offer for the substance abuse prevention professional.

Q: Why can't I change the Auto-increment function after creating a company?

A: Only the MASTER user can change these and several other system options. The MASTER is the only user who has the capability to delete companies, add new users, turn on/off the Instant Audit feature in Results Entry, restrict access to test results, assign any user passwords, and turn on/off the View Third Party options. Take care to secure the MASTER user with an appropriate password.

Q: Is there an easy way to change the current company?

A: In the Full version, simply double-click on the current company name displayed on the status bar at the bottom of the screen. This will bring up the Find Companies dialog where you can choose another company and make it the current company.

Q: I want to cut back on repetitive participant data entry. Any suggestions?

A: Use the Participant Template feature. This will allow automatic entry of the Testing/Eligibility Data in the top right box of the Participant screen. (The exception to this is the "gender" field which always defaults to male.) To use the Participant Template, first make sure the feature is ON in the Companies screen. Next, fill in the Testing/Eligibility values; include DOT administrations if required. Finally, click the Make Template button to store the values. Then whenever you Insert (with the + button) a new record, these fields will be automatically set.

Q: I know I have received and entered test results for certain participants, but the last testing date displayed is blank when I view their participant record. Can you explain why?

A: Most probably, you were using the older DrugPak II for DOS and migrated your participants and test histories from that system. Further, the participant(s) in question have not had results entered directly into the DrugPak Software Suite system. Once you enter results directly into your new system, this last test date field will display correctly.

Q: I don't like having to switch between the mouse and the keyboard to use lookups. Is there another way?

A: Wherever the right mouse button is used to call a lookup dialog, the F2 key will do the same thing. The DrugPak Software Suite includes other keyboard commands such as Post and Cancel (Ctrl-Enter and Ctrl-Esc, respectively). Many additional keyboard commands are also available. Look in the on-line help or printed Users' Manual for all the details.

Q: I have already installed the DrugPak Software Suite on a workstation. How can I make it networkable or multi-user?

A: The DrugPak Software Suite is a networkable application. However, only the Full version supports simultaneous access to the database by multiple users. There is a small additional fee for multiple users. Call our sales department to find out the cost of using DrugPak on your network.

If you have already entered data into your DrugPak Software Suite database, you should contact a Scanlon Associates consultant for instructions on moving your programs and data to a network drive. Every workstation must be able to freely access the same DrugPak Software Suite programs and data files. If you are running on a Windows peer-to-peer network, you may not need to move the software and data unless you wish to place it on a faster/more powerful workstation.

Not only should you install DrugPak Software Suite on a network drive, but you should also perform an install of workstation support files on each workstation. As part of the DrugPak installation to the server, a workstation-only installation routine was placed on the server, too, in the designated directory. Just run this program from the server on each workstation.

Once you have installed the software on the network and the support files at each workstaiton, all that's left is to re-register your software to handle multiple users. For any assistance with these procedures, call our support desk at (814) 238-5103.

Q: Why can't I delete this participant?

A: If you try to delete a participant who has test result records on file, the DrugPak Software Suite will inform you that you are not permitted to remove the participant. This safeguard was designed to protect any drug testing program administrator from mistakenly removing information that s/he is obligated to retain on file for an extended period of time.

Q: What is "Third Party" Information?

A: In the DrugPak Software Suite, a "Third Party" is a drug testing administrator other than your own company.

Sometimes a transportation company using this software will hire independent contractors who are members of another testing consortium. Although the user of this software does not directly manage that independent contractor's test results, the user must be able to verify that the independent contractor continues to participate in a legitimate testing program. Under these circumstances, "Third Party" data should be maintained to facilitate this verification. Membership should be reviewed and verified for continued eligibility every six months, or according to the most recent applicable regulations.

If you yourself are a third-party testing administrator, you will NOT want to use the "Third Party" features to manage testing information. Use menu selection Options | View Third Party Features to show or hide these "Third Party" options in order to avoid confusion. Only the MASTER user may change the visibility of "Third Party" features in this manner.

Q: Is there any way to download test results directly from my various laboratories?

A: Many laboratories do offer electronic transfer of test results directly to your PC. Once those results are in your computer, our MRO Management module can be used to import them into DrugPak. MRO Mangement is a "modularized" solution and can be adapted to multiple data formats. Thus you are not limited to importing results from just one lab or in just one format.

If you would like to import results from one or more of your labs, please contact Scanlon Associates' sales department. We have many popular labs formatted and new ones are being added regularly. The reports we have from clients using MRO Management report a remarkable success with the ease of set up and the import of results.