The Data Input Tab is the fundamental working screen. From here information is loaded, modified, and saved. Below are descriptions of the main Features

NE Button

15 Digit Number Generator (in absence of RFID tag, Bar Code, or to print original bar code).

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Red Number in upper right hand corner.

Keeps track of how many units have been saved.

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REF Button

Searches the current Reference Data file for a Visual ID that  matches the visual ID number in the active Visual ID field.

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TBL1 Button

Switches between table1 and table2

Table 1

Table 2

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Customizable Header

These are the Names of the fields that can be renamed and customized with different settings to make typing and other data input easier. For instructions on how to change headers, and field setting, click here: Headers Settings

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Blanking field 8 when not needed. Update for Version 2.5.1 and later

On previous releases of FaST EID, when you did not need Field 8, you could not remove it like the other fields, now you can. If you do not have it used for Weight, temperature, etc it will automatically disappear unless selected. To select field 8 for use when not being used for a special feature, follow these steps: 1) Tap on tools, the tap on Special

2) Then tap on Field 8 Select. This will enable the field when not being use for other features.

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SaveData Button

SaveData: Saves all the Data in the individual fields as one asset. The Asset is then moved to active data and counted by the big red number. For instruction for how to enable save settings such as “Clear on Save”, click here: Explanation of Field Settings

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There are several options from the Save/Load Screen. The Following sections describe in detail each of the possible actions. Scroll down to read the complete instructional on the Save/Load tab. NOTE: Information on Importing/Exporting to a device is still located only on the link below and is NOT on this page.

How to Save/Load to a Folder

Imp/Exp to PC Computer

Clean Save, what it does and how to use it.

This option will clear ALL ACTIVE DATA (from data input and visual data) and save it to a file. NOTE: If you want to save the data, but keep working with it, see: Copy Save

1) Tap on Clean Save. A box will pop up and ask if you are sure. Select yes only if you are done working with your data and want to save it and start with a clean slate.

   

2) Now from the save screen enter in the name of the project (i.e. Heifers Spring ’11) and then tap on Save.

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Copy Save, what it does and how to use it.

This option will save the active data (i.e. Data input and visual data). If you want to save your data and start with a clean slate, see: Clean Save

1) Tap on Copy Save.

2) Enter the name of the project (i.e. heifers spring ’11) and tap on save.

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Reference

This section is on how to use the Reference Data Base and load files into the reference data base.

Video demonstration of creating and using a reference database

Uses of the reference data base. When a file is loaded into the reference data and the function is enabled; then every time a new EID is scanned FaST EID  searches the reference data base for an asset with the matching EID number. If one is found, the fields will be populated with the data that corresponds with the EID number. If there is not an EID that can be scanned, but a Visual ID is present, the visual ID may be entered and then the blue Ref button tapped. This will perform the same function, except it will search for an asset with a matching Visual ID. If there are multiple matches, this screen will appear:

From this screen the different information associated with the multiple finds can be reviewed. When the desired asset is found, tap on it to select it, and then tap on Select Animal to load the information into active data.

    

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How to enable the Reference Data Base Feature

1) On the Save/Load tab, tap to select the check box labeled Use Reference DB.

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How to load a file as the Reference Data Base

1) On the Load/Save tab select the blue Reference Button.

2) A pop-up box warning you that you are about to replace the current reference data base will appear. Tab on Yes to continue loading a new reference data base.

3) Now on the Save/Load form select the file to be used as the reference data base.

4) Now tap on Load

The file is now loaded as the reference data base

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How to use the reference data base

When the reference data base is enabled it will function automatically when an EID is scanned, but for those users not using EID’s, a visual ID can be used. 1) Enter the visual ID number

2) Tap on the blue Ref button to search the data base for a matching Visual ID number.

Active Data Options

There are two option concerning loading active data, the first is Replace. This will replace WITHOUT saving all active data with another file loaded in the Save/Load form. The second is Append, Append will merge two files into one, allowing the user to save the merged file under a new name while leaving the original files.

For Example the user has two warehouses with corresponding inventory files. The user wants to create a master inventory. Appending the two inventory files will not erase the individual files, it will simply create a new fill that contains the contents of both of the originals. The user now has Master inventory, Warehouse1 inventory, and Warehouse2 inventory

 

How to Replace active data with a different file.

1) On the Save/Load form, tap on Replace under Active Data.

2) A pop up box will appear with a warning that says replacing active data will REMOVES all active data and replaces it with a selected file. NOTE: Replacing active data will NOT save your work. A Clean Save or Copy Save should be performed first.

3) Select the file to be loaded.

4) Tap on load and the file will be loaded into active data.

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How to Append active data.

1) On the Save/Load tab, tap on Append.

2) A pop up box will appear explaining the append feature.

3) Now from the load save form a file can be selected to append to the existing active data.

4) When the file has been selected, tap on Load to append the file to active data.

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How to save/Load to a Folder in the FaST EID File Folder

These instructions explain how to search for a specific folder in the save/load list

1) Start on the Save/Load form. The process is the same for either process.  

2) The folder is auto set to the FaSTEIDFiles folder in My Documents. To go down a level and save/load to a folder in the FaSTEIDFiles folder, tap on the drop down arrow in the folder field and select a folder. NOTE: Do NOT select FaSTEIDFiles/Header Files. This file is reserved for the Header templates and settings.

To save to a folder in another area, such as a thumb drive, please click here for instructions.

Save Pen

(Premium only) While working with the pen sorting feature select the Save Pen option in the Save/Load tab. This will save all of the sorted animals into individual files in the FaSTEIDFiles folder as Pen Name_Date.csv. The name is the assigned name of the pen.

1) In the Special(weight) field, select “Info” and set up the pen sorting based on your situation. For instructions on the specifics of the special field click here. Give a meaningful name to your Pens medium for identification later.

2) After accepting the Pen sort settings proceed to save animals into their respective pens in the Data Input tab.

3) Now that the Animals have been added the user can select “Save Pen” on the Save/Load Tab. The Individual files of each animal in each pen have been saved and now can be view in the Report Tab. 

      

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This tab displays all the saved data tables from the Active Data files currently in use. From this tab it is possible to Search for data tables by scanned numbers (RFID, Bar code, etc.), Modify data tables, and Delete data tables.

 click here for a Video demonstration of VisData

Active Rows

The active rows can be reviewed by selecting them and scrolling through them.

Tap on the the rows to either modify or delete the assets. If the number of assets extends off the screen then use the scroll bar on the right to move down through the list. To see all the different columns scroll to the right using the scroll bar on the bottom.

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Modify Row

This allows a previously saved data table to be opened again and then modified.

1) First, select the row that needs to be modified.

2) Then tap on Modify Row.

3) The screen will go to a pink version of the Data input Screen. From here it is possible to add, remove, or change data in any of the fields on Table 1 and Table 2.

4) When the data has been modified as desired, tap on Modify Data (located where Save data normally is). This will save the modifications and then return the screen to the VisData Screen.

4) If the user decides against making the modification then simply select the visdata tab again and select cancel.

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Delete Row

This allows the deletion of any unwanted/extra rows.

1) Select the row to be deleted by taping on it.

2) Next tap on Delete Row.

3) A confirmation box will appear. make sure that the unwanted row has been selected. Tap yes to continue and delete the row. Tap no to stop the deletion process.

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Search VisData

This section shows two examples of how to use the Search Feature.

Example 1: Using a EID (scanned tag or bar code)

1) Select the EID Search option.

2) Tap into the search field and then Scan in a RFID tag or Bar code.

If the row exists in the Active Data file it will be highlighted. NOTE you might need to scroll down to see the highlighted number!

If the row doesn’t exist in the Active Data file this box will appear. NOTE: if you feel that the number is right check to see if it is 15 digits. Tap OK to exit the box:

Example 2: Using a Visual ID (VID) number (tag number, sample name etc.)

1) Select the Visual ID (VID) search option.

2) Enter the VID number and tap on Search.

If the row exists in the Active Data file it will be highlighted. NOTE you might need to scroll down to see the highlighted number.

If the row doesn’t exist in the Active Data file this box will appear. Tap OK to exit the box:

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This tab give you an excel style spread sheet with all the files that have been saved. Each row represents a file. These ARE NOT individual units, they are files that contain the different project groups (i.e. Heifers, steers, Field 1, Field 2, etc.).

The following are descriptions of the options on this tab.

Print Data

This will pint out a copy of all the Active Data Rows.

 click here for a Video demonstration of VisData

Print File

This will print a copy of all of the data rows from a selected file

1) Select the file that needs to be printed by tapping on it.

2) Tap on Print File.

 click here for a Video demonstration of VisData

Reset Report

This will clear off the files listed on the report tab (This Feature is before version 3.1.6 Otherwise switching back and forth between this tab and another will refresh the list)

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The summary tab keeps a running record of how many tags have been scanned andsaved that have a matching EID number with a tag in the reference data.

 

This number shows how many tags have been scanned and saved with matching numbers.

 

 

This number represents the total number of tags in the reference database .

 

 

This is the Summary of how many tags are still in the reference base without matches in Active Data

 

 

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View Button

 

 

When you tap on this button it will display the missing tag rows.

 

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Auto View Button

 

 

This feature makes it so that as soon as the Summary tab is opened, the missing tag files will be displayed. This feature is not recommended for users with large active data files, large reference data files, or the combination of the two. Having large files will momentarily slow down the system considerably every time the Summary tab is opened. Instead we recommend that this feature stay disabled (unchecked) and that when the files need to be used, tap on the View button.

 

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EID vs. Secondary ID

 

EID

 

Using the EID will compile the list of missing assets by comparing the scanned EID (i.e. RFID tags, Bar Codes) numbers to those in the reference data and calculate the difference. The EID tags that exist in the reference data but that have not been scanned make up the “Missing” number.

 

 

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Secondary ID

 

The process is the same as when using EID. The only difference is that this will use the number from what is in default settings called the “Visual ID” Field.

 

 

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save

 

This allows you to save the unscanned tags as a new file minus the scanned tags this is helpful for shipping. If the user has a file that is a master inventory of 4000 assets, and they are shipping only 500 of those assets, they can scan all the assets to be shipped and then export the “missing” (or unscanned) assets as a new master inventory file. Now the active data can be saved as the Shipped file with 500 assets and there is a master inventory file of 3500. NOTE: This process must take place in the Following order:

 

1) When all the desired tags have been scanned, tap on save BEFORE saving active data.

 

 

2) We recommend that you use this format to name files in FaST EID: The Archer should auto-fill it with the yyyy/mm/dd formatted date, but it also has the time. Unless multiple orders are being shipped from the same master inventory every day, the time is not as important. It can be removed and then the name of the order is placed after the date.

 

Remove time stamp unless wanted

 

 

Enter in the name of the project and tap on enter

 

 

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Remove Found button

 

When the user has a list of active data that contains some or all of the same ID’s that are found in the reference data they will be represented with the number of ‘found’ displayed at the top of the screen. To create this list either scan the ID’s into the data input screen, or load a list the “Replace” button on the save/load screen.

 

Selecting the “remove found” button will now remove those animals in active data from the reference file. This feature is included to save time for those who can’t hit the “save” button as listed above after every change. However the changes made by the remove found button will also need to be saved to make the changes permanent.

 

Tools Menu

This section has instructions on how to use all of the features on the Tools Menu.

The Tools Menu

Clear

Help/Debug

Select Headings

Special

Print Options

Preferences

Reference DB Options

Clean UP

Readers

Exit

Clear

Instead or tapping the backspace on the keyboard over and over the user can clear all the fields with the feature.

Help/Debug

These are the different sub-tools menu options categorized under Help/Debug.  The links will take you to a area with the information for the topic, or continue scrolling to read all of the help sections.

EULA Agreement Error Message Descriptions General Errors Show Bad EID

EULA Agreement

Simply brings you to the license that was agreed to when FaST EID was first installed on the Archer. Selecting Decline will end the program and will not allow you to software until the user selects I Accept. to do this simply run the program again and the License Agreement should be displayed first.

To Read the full EULA Agreement click here

Error Message Descriptions

 

When there is an error, a single letter will be displayed at the end of the Visual ID field on the Data Input tab.

Tapping on the Error Message Descriptions option will bring up a box that gives you the reason for the error code.

General Errors

When this box is checked, less error message will appear. This is for people who prefer to call when there is a bug instead of attempting to fix it themselves.

Show Bad EID

Normally there is a filter on the data that can be scanned into the EID field, allowing only the standard 15 digit EID number. Selecting “show bad EID Data” Will disable the filter to let any data come across from the reader. (i.e. the number in the screen shot above is not a standard EID number and would not normally be permitted to be scanned in unless this option is enabled) a class=”anchor2″ id=”SH” >

Select Headings

  This section contains all the information needed to customize your field headers and the Field Settings.

How to Change Data Field Headers and settings How To Find Field Settings Screen Explanation of Field Settings How to Save your Custom Headings and Settings How to load your custom headings and settings How to delete your custom headings and settings Video Demonstration of Select Headings

How to change data field headers and settings

How to enter the “headings” screen.

At the bottom of any FaST EID screen there is a toolbar, tap on “Tools” and then tap on “Select Headings”.

  This is the “headings” screen. There are multiple options from this screen. How they work and what they do are listed below, or continue scrolling. How to Change Field Headers  How to increase/decrease number of label copies. How to Select/deselect Date on Label and time stamp options.

How to Change Field Headers

1) Tap on desired field heading (i.e. “Visual ID”) 2) Tap on Keyboard utility in the lower right hand corner. 3) Enter custom heading and then tap on “OK” to exit headings screen and return to work.

Note: the fields that were left blank have been removed from the Data Input tab.

How to increase/decrease number of label copies.

1) Look in the Lower part of the screen to locate “Bar Code label Printouts”. There is a small box to the right with a number in it and two arrows (up and down) next to it.2) The number shows how many copies will currently be printed, and the arrows can be used to increase or decrease the number. 3) Change value and hit “OK” to exit headings screen and return to work.

How to Select or deselect the Date on Label and time stamp options.

Date on Label Option 1) Locate the box second from bottom of the headings labeled “Date”. To the right there is a check box, tap on the box to select or deselect this option.2) Then tap on “OK” in the upper right hand corner to exit the “headings” screen and return to work. 

Time Stamp Option 1) Look to the bottom of all the headings to locate the heading “ Time Stamp”. 2) To the right of that box there is a check box (the bottom of two). Tap on the box to select or deselect the Time Stamp option. 3) Tap on “OK” (upper right hand corner) to exit headings screen and return to work.

How to find to the “Field Settings” screen.

1) Locate desired blue “FLD#” button (or blue “Visual ID” Button), and tap it. 2) This should brig up a new screen with the field settings. (for explanation of field settings see “Change Field Settings”)

This is the field settings screen. There are multiple options from this screen. How they work and what they do are listed below, and also in the brown column to the far left.

Explanations of “Field Settings”

 

Auto Increment

This setting will automatically increase numerical values in the field on Save (ONLY fields “Visual ID”, #3 and #4 are Auto increment capable)

BigInput

When enabled this feature activates a special large number pad that is opened by taping onto a field the first time. if you need to re-enter the large number pad then select another field and then back into the desired field. (this feature CANNOT be enabled at the same time as the “Big Input List”)

 

Big Input List

When enabled this feature allows the user to make a customized list of prefixes and suffixes that can be assigned individually as needed. (this feature CANNOT be enabled at the same time as the “Big Input”)

  

Calculate Days

When enabled this feature automatically put a number in the selected field that represents the numbers of days from the date on the reference data to the current date or a selected date.

UHF Visual

When enabled on a field, that field the last four digits of the UHF electronic number shows up to be recorded as the visual ID.

Override

When enabled, information in the field will not be replaced with reference data when using the reference data base.

Print To label

This option selects this field to be printed onto the Bar code label Note: ONLY 4 fields from table 1 can be printed to the Bar Code. If selected, the Time and/or Date field counts as one of the four

Clear On Save

When enabled data in the field will be cleared on save.

Lock Field

Before enabling this feature the user should put in the info required on every save and do not enable the clear on save so it stays. when this feature is enabled that field can not be selected by the user on the data input screen, whatever information is in the field will stay there.

FaST List Data

The FaST list is a feature that allows the user to create a drop down field with pre-entered data. It works as follows: 1) Tap on the empty field to the right of the buttons “Add” and “Remove/All” and enter in desired text. 2) Tap on “Add” and it will drop down into the large field below. 3) This information will appear in the drop down box of the modified field on the “Data Input” screen.         

How to Save your Custom Headings and Settings

1) On the “Headings” screen, in the lower left hand corner, tap on “File” and then tap on “Save”. This brings up the “Load/Save Form”. 2) Tap in the “Name” box and enter in the name of the application (i.e. Herd, Group, Field, Mine, etc.). 3) Tap on “Save as”. This will save your settings and bring back the “headings” screen.

How to load your custom headings and settings

1) On the “Headings” screen, in the lower left hand corner, tap on “File” and then tap on “Load”. This brings up the “Load/Save Form”. 2) Tap on the name of the application (i.e. Herd, Group, Field, Mine, etc.). 3) Tap on “Load”. This will Load your settings and bring back the “headings” screen.

How to delete your custom headings and settings

1) On the “Headings” screen, in the lower left hand corner, tap on “File” and then tap on “Delete”. This brings up the “Load/Save Form”. 

2) Tap on the name of the application (i.e. Herd, Group, Field, Mine, etc.).

3) Tap on “delete”. This will bring up a confirmation to delete the selected template with your custom settings. 

4) Tap on “Yes” to proceed and delete. Tap on “No” to return to the “LoadSaveForm” and select a different template or select cancel to return to the “headings” screen without deleting.

 

Special

 

The following sections are about how to use the options on the special tools menu.

Field 8 Select

Because field 8 is the field that is used for the special features (i.e. Temperature, Weight, GPS location) it can not be disabled like the other fields under Header Settings by removing all of the text from the Name box. When the box is checked, field 8 will be visible, and when it is not checked, field 8 will not be visible.

Scale Head Data Select

From the Scale Head Setup field 8 can be enabled as the weight field. This page also has all of the settings for scale heads. For more information on how to enable the different scale heads click here: Scale Heads

NOTE: To use any scale head, make sure the Use Scale Head Feature box is checked

The weight field has options that can be viewed by selecting the “Info” button next to the weight field on the Data Input tab. For instructions on theses settings click here: Weight Info

Print Options

 

Select Report Header

Select header allows the user to use a text document (.txt file) as a customized header on the Report

Print Report

Will print a copy of the Report

Configure Bar-code Printer

When not checked, tapping on this option will bring up the Bar-code Printer set up screen. For instructions about how to configure the Bar-code printer, click here

Continuous

This option enables print on save. Every time an asset is saved with this feature enabled, a corresponding bar-code will be printed NOTE: If more than one copy is set to print for each bar-code, that number will be printed for each asset saved.

Select

When enabled every time an asset is saved a box will appear presenting the user with the option to print a bar-code.

 

NOTE ON “CONTINUOUS” AND “SELECT”

Only ONE of these option may be selected at a time.

Preferences

The Preferences contain most of the general options for FaST EID. It is Broken into three sections, for instructions on how to activate the Feedlot Feature, see Settings(1):

Wands

Connecting an EID reader using serial port

Settings(1)

Settings(2)

Draft Settings

Wands

For information about how to set up a specific wand in FaST EID click here: Wand Set Up

To set up a new wand:

NOTE: If using a Bluetooth connecter between the wand and the Archer, the device must first be paired with the Archer. For instructions on the Bluetooth Pairing Process, click here:Pairing Any Device with the Archer

1) Tap on the Serial Port drop down box

2) If the drop down box does not show the needed COM port, tap on ReScan Ports button

3) The new port should now be visible in the drop down box.

Note: the baud rate can change depending on the reader. low frequency readers should be 9600. High frequency tags should be at 115200, additionally for ultra high frequency readers the “BT UHF” needs to be checked. Fixed should be check for stationary panel readers and Handheld should be checked for the handheld UHF readers.

4) Once the port with the wand has been selected, enter a Nick Name

5) Tap on Connect/Name to save the wand settings and Nick Name, successful connections will be followed with a pop up notification.

6) The wand should now be visible under Bluetooth Wand History

NOTE: Unless directed by Fort Supply, or the wand manufacturer, do not just any of the other settings on this page.

How to connect an EID reader to the Archer using a serial port

1) Have the serial cable which was provided with the EID reader ready. Attach one end of the cable into the 9-pin serial port on the bottom of the Archer, and the other end into the EID reader Turn the EID reader and the Archer on   2) Tap on the Options Tab in FaST EID, then tap on the Serial Port button.

 

If it connects the screen will show “Serial Port Connected.”

  

Note: If the cable is not connected, or the wand is not turned on, or another device is configured to use the same serial port you may get the error message shown here.

In this case tap ok to exit and change the COM port which the conflicting device uses and try to reconnect again.   

4) To test if the reader is connected, select the Data Input tab, then select the EID field and press the green button on the wand while passing it by a passive EID tag.

Note: If the wand is functioning the EID field will fill in the field with the scanned tags number, if the tag already has information saved in the current reference data base, the information associated with it will populate the other fields.

Settings(1)

Display Long Data Box

By default this feature is turned on and shows the entire text in a field.  When it is off the text goes off the field and as needed, the field scrolls to show what the user is typing.

ON                                OFF

Enable Feedlot Feature

This feature is too complex to be explained here. Please follow this link for instructions on how to use the Feedlot feature. Feedlot Feature

 Prompt EID Overwrite

When this box is checked, a pop a box will appear when a new EID number is scanned before the current number has been saved. When a new EID is Scanned without saving first

If the new EID was scanned on accident, tap on No or Cancel. If the new number is the one desired, tap on Yes. This feature is useful if a lot of EID are being scanned in rapid succession to avoid scanning the wrong two tags instead of one.

Use Required Fields

This feature will not allow an asset to be saved unless all of the active fields are filled with data. When an attempt is made to save without filling all active fields

A similar pop up box will appear for every field that has not been filled unless that field has been disabled.

Use Standard Date Format

If this is not selected, and none of the other special options for Field 8 are currently enabled, field 8 becomes the DairyDate Field.

Scan Multiple EIDs into TBL2

Use 16 Digit EID

Enabling the feature allows for two more characters in the EID fields in both table 1 and table 2

populate/update duplicate data

When the Feature is enabled and a asset is loaded as an from the reference database and then saved again with changes  it re-saves the the same animal instead of saving a new animal.

Note: In the example the same animal is saved with change in the weight field but the counter doesn’t increase. This because a new animal wasn’t created.

Use Extra ID

   

Use Hard Windows Key For Save

Enabling this feature causes the Home key to SaveData.

Clear TBL2 ID Field on Save

By default this feature is turned on. The user can turn this feature off to conveniently save multiple animals on table 1 to a single animal on table 2.

Remove Visual UHF leading 0’s

Used with UHF tags that have 6 digits visual ID’s and the “UHF visual” setting from select headings When the 6 digit visual id has 0’s in the first few slots simply check this option to remove the 0’s from the visual id as its added to data input.

    

Settings(2)

Master Visual Tag Reference (MVTR)

The Master Visual Tag Reference (MVTR) is used like an auto increment for the Visual ID Fields on Table1 and Table2 of the Data Input Tab. 1) Check the box for the MVTR that is to be used (MVTR1 is for Table1 and MVTR2 is for Table2)NOTE:MVTR1 or MVTR2 can be used independently from each other.

2) Enter in the First Visual ID to be used

3) Back on the Data Input tab, the first asset after enabling the MVTR feature will have the number entered in the Visual ID Field.

4) This number will automatically increase with every asset saved. 

NOTE: The number can be altered manual (i.e. an asset is scanned that has already been loaded into the system, but has lost it’s Visual ID. A new Visual ID can be assigned using this method, and then the scanning of new assets can continue), and then it will automatically return to the next number in progressive order. Example: a) Last Number Saved Was “Example 100”

b) Next number would be “Example101” but the user wants to insert a different Number (i.e. to replace lost Visual ID).

c) Then the next Visual ID will automatically return to then next number in progressive order from the original MVTR tools-preferences-settings(2)-MTVR active example-continue 

NOTE: This is exactly how the process works with MVTR2, the only difference is that it is on Table 2 (TBL2)

Export Settings

These settings determine in what format the Files are saved in.

Draft Settings

This section pertains only to FaST EID Premium, versions 2.5.9 and newer.

This page deals with the drafting settings when an automated drafting system is connected to the Archer/Mesa.

For Instructions on how to Connect the Draft Controller to to the Archer, first follow the Bluetooth pairing process, then see Serial Port Connection.

Enable Drafting Input

This will enable the drafting tab in the main section of FaST EID.  

NOTE: For descriptions/instructions on the use of the drafting tab, click here Enable Auto Drafting

By checking this box the user enables FaST EID to communicate with an Auto Drafting system. This option is required for use of the options listed below.   Enable Auto Draft Auto Save

When auto save is enabled, as soon as valid data is entered for EID, VID, Weight, and Secondary Draft (only if Secondary Drafting is enabled) it will automatically save the data.NOTE: To make the Auto Save feature work properly for the users application, make sure to read ‘Min Threshold Weight’.   Min Threshold Weight

This is where the user can set a minimum threshold weight, meaning that FaST EID will not accept a weight lower than the one set here. NOTE: For user using the Auto Save feature: The program will not Auto Save an animal without a valid weight (i.e. equal to/greater than Min Weight Threshold).   Controller method

This is how the user selects the manufacturer of their Auto Draft System.

Serial Port Connection

1) First tap on ReScan Ports

2) Select the controller from the available COM Ports. NOTE: This should be the same port you assigned to it during the Bluetooth Pairing Process, or COM 1 if the controller is connected via the DB9 Pin Serial Port.

3) The Baud Rate should be set to 9600 for the Racewell or the iDraft.

Reference DB (Data Base) Options Sub Menu

 

Use Reference DB (Database)

This is a short cut for the check box on the Save/Load tab. When one is checked, the other will be as well.

Scan Alert

This page has all of the options concerning setting up two different types of alerts that can be enabled while the Reference DB is active. NOTE: Only one alert can be enabled at a time.

1) Alert Me When An Animal In The Reference Database Is Scanned

This will make a sound (one selected from a list by the user) or provide a message, or both whenever an asset from the Reference DB is scanned into active data.

2) Alert Me When an Animal NOT In The Reference Database Is Scanned

This will make a sound (one selected from a list by the user) whenever an asset NOT found in the Reference DB is scanned into active data.

How to Select the Sound and Volume of the Alert

1) To adjust the volume, slide the volume bar to the left to decrease volume, and to the right to increase volume.

Softer                                                        Louder

2) To select an Alert Sound, tap on the drop down list and select from the sounds provided.

3) To Hear the selected sound at the selected volume, tap the Play Button ( /> ).

When the user is finished with the Reference DB Alert Setup, tap on Accept to save and exit.

Reference DB (Data Base) Options Sub Menu

Use Reference DB (Database)

This is a short cut for the check box on the Save/Load tab. When one is checked, the other will be as well.

Scan Alert

This page has all of the options concerning setting up two different types of alerts that can be enabled while the Reference DB is active. NOTE: Only one alert can be enabled at a time.

1) Alert Me When An Animal In The Reference Database Is Scanned

This will make a sound (one selected from a list by the user) or provide a message, or both whenever an asset from the Reference DB is scanned into active data.

2) Alert Me When an Animal NOT In The Reference Database Is Scanned

This will make a sound (one selected from a list by the user) whenever an asset NOT found in the Reference DB is scanned into active data.

How to Select the Sound and Volume of the Alert

1) To adjust the volume, slide the volume bar to the left to decrease volume, and to the right to increase volume.

Softer                                                        Louder

2) To select an Alert Sound, tap on the drop down list and select from the sounds provided.

3) To Hear the selected sound at the selected volume, tap the Play Button ( /> ).

When the user is finished with the Reference DB Alert Setup, tap on Accept to save and exit.

Clean Up

The Clean Up menu has three options for general resets. These three option are covered by the three links below.

CleanUp Sync Files Reset BigList Prefixes Reset Dummy EID Counter

Readers

The Readers menu is made up of all the scanning devices that have been paired with the Archer or Mesa. simply tap on a device to connect to it, or select DISCONNECT to disconnect from all devices.

Note: The Archer and Mesa can only be paired with on other device at a time.

Stats(1)

The Stats 1 tab allows a user to view statistical distribution of assets saved in active data based on which field is selected and what items are in the drop downs. Below are several examples:

Example 1 Here Field 1 had been named Breed, and two options have been added to the FaST drop down list: Angus and Holstein. When the Breed field has been selected, the various drop down options are displayed and the number of assets in each category as well as what percent of the whole they represent.

Ex2

Stats(2)

The stats 2 page is used for viewing the statistical distribution of animals weights. The user can select a field and then select one of the drop downs to see how many animals are in this category, how many have weight data, and then see the distribution of the weight.

Example 1 Here the user has selected the field labeled sex, and then has selected the sex option steer. The tab now displays weight information for all animals fitting that criteria.

Example 2 Here the user has selected the breed field, and the Holstein breed, so the stats for all animals fitting that criteria.

This process can be used with any field that has drop downs.

Feedlot Feature (Included in the premium version only)

The Feedlot Feature is accessed by first activating it under the preferences menu (Preferences) and then on the Data Input tab, by tapping the blue Info button.

This will bring you to the Main tab of the Feedlot Feature

Use Animal Performance Calculations

When checked, an excel style spreadsheet file containing only the weight history and calculations for each animal will be saved that can be exported and viewed from a computer

Use Drafting Feature

This enables the Pen Sorting Feature

(NOTE) enabling this will allow the “Use Two Way Drafting” Feature.

Use Two Way Drafting

Enabling the Two Way Drafting feature in the drafting tab

Use Pen Sorting Notification

This will bring up a pop up box every time an animal is saved to confirm automatic pen sorting.

For instructions on the three tabs, click on the corresponding links below.

Performance

Cost

PenSort

Performance

This tab is where the weight of an animal can be managed.

NOTE: Original Weight, Current Weight, and Previous Weight are fields that can be entered manually, but will normally be filled automatically by a scale head. Original Weight and Current weight should be the same on the first weighing. Later the Original Weight and Previous Weight will be filled by the Data reference file. This file needs to be the Feedlot file. Example:     1) Original Weight is taken on the first weigh from the weight field on the Data Input Tab. Later weighs will be the same as the loaded Data Reference File. These should always remain constant as long as the correct file is loaded as reference data.

2) Enter the Target Weight

3) Current Weight will match Original Weight on the first weigh, later weighs will match the weight in the weight field on the Data Input Tab.

4) This will mach the weight from the previous weighing. On the second weigh, it should match the original weight.

5) Days on feed will be automatically calculated from the date of the first weigh.

6) Weight change will show the amount of weight gained since last weigh.

7) Days to Finish and Average Daily Gain are calculated by the change of weight between weighs and the days on feed.

Cost

This page is designed to help calculate the cost of feeding the animal, including other overhead bills (i.e. Vet bills, etc).

  1) Enter the amount of Feed Intake/day

2) Feed:Gain and Total Feed to Finish will be calculated automatically from the Feed Intake field.

3) Enter the cost of feed per pound.

4) Cost of Gain shows how much it will cost to get an animal to Target Weight without other overhead bills.

5) Enter Yardage/Vet/Etc ($/hd) is where any other expenses associated with the animal should be entered.

6) Total Cost to Finish will now show the Cost of Gain plus the Yardage/Vet/Etc

Pen Sort

This is where the specifications can be made as to how the user wants animals sorted into individual pens.

1)Enter the names of the pens

2) Next select by which calculation the animals need to be sorted by (i.e. Average Daily Gain)

3) Then enter the ranges to be sorted (i.e. in this example we will be using Average Daily Gain rates). NOTE:The bottom range of each pen will automatically be filled with the same value as the top range of the preceding pen, but it can be altered manually

Results: What exactly will happen.

1) Pen Sorting is active when an animal is weighed and saved. The pen number/name will appear on the spread sheet on the VisData tab.

2) If Pen Sorting Notification is active, this box will appear whenever an animal is saved.

a) Tap on OK. Animal will be sorted to pen 

Tab on OK                                                         Animal Sorted to pen 

             

b) Tap on Cancel. Animal will be saved, but not sorted to a pen.

               Tap on Cancel                        Animal is saved with out being sorted 

             

The New Pen Sort Tab has been added if you have Version 2.5.6 or higher

Feed Lot Feature-New Pen Sort Tab

The Pen Sort Feature has been altered slightly from older versions to include the following:

1) Target number of animals in a pen 2) Animals already in a pen 3) Option to sort from a secondary field (Two Way Sort)

This page gives a description of how to use the new components.

1) Pen Number/Name

This column is where the user can enter in the Pen Number and/or Name. After the name has been entered the rest of the options for sorting to that pen (Range, Target, and Secondary sorting option) will become available. 

2) Primary Sort

This is where the user determines what the primary sorting factor is (i.e. Days to Finish, Average Daily Gain, Feed:Gain, etc). This should be decided first and then the user can proceed to set the ranges or ratios to be used for sorting. 

3) Range

In these two fields the user can set the range or ratio that will determine which animals will be sorted into this pen. Example: If the user wants to use Days to finish as the Primary sort, then they could set these field to read 30-60. All animals that will reach the set target weight will be sent to this pen. 4) Number in Pen

This indicates how many animals have already been sorted to a pen. 

5) Set Target Number in Pen

This is where the user can set a target number of animals they want in a pen. On the new notification screen the user will be informed of the set target and the current number of animals in pen.

6) Secondary Sort Field (Two Way Sort)

If the user has enabled the Two Way Sort option, this is where they can select which field is to be a determining factor, FLD1 or FLD2. 7) Secondary Sort Factor

This is where the user sets what the sort factor is. For example if FLD1 has been changed to sex, and the options are bull or heifer, the user can set a weight range, but then using the secondary the user can choose to only have bulls with the qualifying weight sorted into this pen, while the heifers of equivalent weight would be excluded.

List of Updates to FaST EID

Updates for Version 4.3.7 (12 Dec, 2017)

It is now possible to Autoscan the visual ID’s of the new UHF encoded EID & visual tag.

Updates for Version 4.3.6 (15 Nov, 2017)

This build reads in backtags that have letters in the identifiers and also changes the prefix file to have 60A in it.

Updates for Version 4.3.5 (12 Oct, 2017)

Incorporating a new encoding of tags including the Ytex UHF tag with a new Prefix. These tags can now be scanned into the FaST EID software.

Updates for Version 4.3.4 (30 May, 2017)

Fixed a bug where not all UHF tags were being read by all UHF readers with 100% accuracy.

Updates for Version 4.3.3 (11 May, 2017)

Tags with the prefix of 858 have been added to the list of acceptable prefixes.

Updates for Version 4.3.2 (27 March, 2017)

Fixed a bug where fast eid would connect to the Weightronix scale and get the weight but it wouldn’t put the weight into the weight field.

Updates for Version 4.3.1 (25 March, 2017)

The build allows up to six digits to be automatically added to the visual identification field when “UHF Visual” is checked. if the six digit number has leading zeros these may be removed from each scan automatically by checking “Remove Visual UHF leading 0’s” in tools>preferences>settings(1)

Updates for Version 4.3.0 (18 March, 2017)

New flex portion of USDA Tags can now automatically be added to the visual identification field. simply check the “UHF Visual” box in the visual identification field under tools>select headings.

Updates for Version 4.2.8 (28 November, 2016)

It is now possible scan and read the new USDA tags with all readers

Updates for Version 4.2.7 (22 December, 2016)

This build modifies the code to read the Allflex tags using the new USDA encoding method.

Updates for Version 4.2.6 (26 September, 2015)

It is now possible to remove currently active animals from the reference database on the summary tab

Updates for Version 4.2.5 (26 September, 2015)

The Fort Supply Logo and Title have been upgraded to a higher resolution.

The Autoscan option for UHF tags now scans all tags.

The Stats 1 tab can now calculate many fields even if they aren’t on the data input tab

Updates for Version 4.2.4 (August 28, 2015)

When in auto scan feature the red counter is now below the weight field so that it doesn’t cover up the other information on the data input tab.

Table 2 and it’s information are now available for review in the stats tabs.

Updates for Version 4.2.3 (25 July, 2015)

A signature data field has been added for data.

Updates for Version 4.2.2 (24 July, 2015)

Fixed a bug where feedlot feature did not correctly calculate the days on feed or any other day calculations. Now all time passed in calculations is based on the devices internal clock.

Fixed a bug where the prefix of the tags was causing the tags to not be read.

Updates for Version 4.2.1 (5 June, 2015)

The Reader tab in preference has been modified to turn different antenna’s on and off over Bluetooth as well as adjusting power level to a more specific, user defined, level.

Weightronix 640 scale settings added to the list of scale head connection settings.

Updates for Version 4.2.0 (8 August , 2014)

The internal reader on the Trimble T41 now times out when not in use, the sleep time is adjustable but the default time is 60 seconds.

Updates for Version 4.1.9 (14 March, 2014)

A reader tab has been added to the preferences to add the ability to adjust the power output and turn different antenna’s on and off over Bluetooth on stationary readers.

Read distances are also adjustable from the reader tab.

FaST EID is now compatible with the internal UHF reader on the Trimble T41 rugged hand held PC.

Updates for Version 4.1.6 (26 December, 2014)

the time stamp has been changed to yyyy/mm/dd:ss so that data in the visualize data tap ban be sorted by the time stamp and displayed in chronological order.

Updates for Version 4.1.5 (1 November, 2014)

After uploading a file to a server there is now an option to clear the data from the archer.

In the save load tab the button called “Save as” has been renamed to “Save” functionality remains the same.

Updates for Version 4.1.4 (9 September, 2014)

Tru Test EZWeigh 7 scale now compatible with FaST EID scale setup and pairing.

UHF number can now fills in the visual ID field with the last four digits of the UHF number on the tag if the user enables the feature in select headings.

Read all tags feature now available for when multiple UHF tags are within scanning distance.

Xml files can now be uploaded from the archer to a server.

Updates for Version 4.2.0 (8 August , 2014)

the internal reader on the Trimble T41 now times out when not in use, the sleep time is adjustable but the default time is 60 seconds.

Updates for Version 4.1.9 (14 March, 2014)

A reader tab has been added to the preferences to add the ability to adjust the power output and turn different antenna’s on and off over Bluetooth on stationary readers.

Read distances are also adjustable from the reader tab.

FaST EID is now compatible with the internal UHF reader on the Trimble T41 rugged hand held PC.

Updates for Version 4.1.6 (26 December, 2014)

The time stamp has been changed to yyyy/mm/dd:ss so that data in the visualize data tap ban be sorted by the time stamp and displayed in chronological order.

Updates for Version 4.1.5 (1 November, 2014)

After uploading a file to a server there is now an option to clear the data from the archer.

In the save load tab the button called “Save as” has been renamed to “Save” functionality remains the same.

Updates for Version 4.1.4 (9 September, 2014)

Tru Test EZWeigh 7 scale now compatible with FaST EID scale setup and pairing.

UHF number can now fills in the visual ID field with the last four digits of the UHF number on the tag if the user enables the feature in select headings.

Read all tags feature now available for when multiple UHF tags are within scanning distance.

Xml files can now be uploaded from the archer to a server.

Updates for Version 4.1.2 (8 August , 2014)

On the Wands tab it is now possible to quickly switch between a hand held UHF reader and a stationary fixed reader.

Updates for Version 4.1.1 (18 June, 2014)

Fixed a bug where scanning multiple tags with the auto-scan feature combined with either a Bluetooth or serial port connection on a EID scanner caused fast EID to save extra tags that didn’t exist. Scanning with the internal reader should not cause this problem before this version. This version fixes every instance of this bug.

Updates for Version 4.0.8 (28 January, 2014)

Changes have been made to optimize the Alien’s ability to auto scan(preferences>Use AutoScan Feature).

Hold down the trigger to increase the scanning time. the scanned tags will be added to the found tags database after the user releases the scanning trigger.

It is now possible to limit the scanned tags to only be placed in the database if they are also found in the reference database. if a user specified tag is found during the scanning phase the scanning will be stopped and a message will notify the user that the tag has been found. For this feature a reference database needs to be loaded, Then in “Tools>reference DB Options> Scan alerts” either a sound or messageBox needs to be checked. Finally in “tools>preferences>settings(1)” use autoscan feature needs to be checked.

for the above mentioned make sure that “Populate/update duplicate data” and “update ref DB” are not checked.

Updates for Version 4.0.6 (13 January, 2014)

This build allows the alien reader to use the barcode scanner by pressing the two buttons, F7 and F8 on the right hand side of the keyboard.

Updates for Version 4.0.4 (5 October, 2013)

The options tab now has the status of the connection to a scale head. Once a scale head has been set up the first time the user can now simply hit connect on the option tab, the buttons will also be green if connected and red if  not connected to a scale head.

If the user is using the get or freeze buttons and they are enabled in the scalehead form then they can be overridden by the user. pressing the leftmost button it will override and either freeze or get, depending on what the user has selected it to be.

Updates for Version 4.0.2 (9 September, 2013)

A Turkish translation for the software is now available. go to settings, and then regional settings, and select Turkish from the drop down. Not all the screens have been translated at this point.

Updates for Version 4.0.1 (28 August, 2013)

Fixed a bug where the year would be changed to the last two digits when data was being opened in a spreadsheet program.

Updates for Version 3.1.9 (28 May, 2013)

Changes have been made to make FaST EID compatible with the Alien.

A logging function has been added so the user can see when the different save buttons are pressed.

Updates for Version 3.1.7 (9 March, 2013)

The Autosave option on the options tab has been moved to the setting(1) tab under tools>preferences.

When saving a file now, only valid character for file names can be used. Valid characters are . space – _ and all alpha numerics.

Updates for Version 3.1.6 (12 November, 2012)

Table 2’s information updates now when the update/duplicate data feature is turned on in the preferences.

The bug of blue color was removed when switching back between table 2 and table 1 has been fixed.

Updates for Version 3.1.5 (03 November, 2012)

When a custom scale head is being used, the data file would become corrupted, that bug is now fixed.

The follow options have been added to the scale configuration setup. iScale, 9600 , 8, N, None, 1, {RH}

In the Settings (1)tab in preferences the user now has the option to clear the table 2 EID field every time an asset is saved.

Updates for Version 3.1.1 (27 July, 2012)

The Stats(2) tab now has a limit on the Average Weight Field, only two digit will be shown after the decimal point for convenient viewing.

The Stats(2) tab now has an “ALL” option the “Select Field” field. This option allows the user to see the statistics of all the active data.

In the Preferences there is now an option to “Use Hard Windows Key For Save” in the Settings(1) tab.

Updates for Version 2.5.7

in the new Save/Load Tab the user now has the ability to save all of the individual pens from the Feed Lot Feature (FaST EID Premium only). Tapping on the “Save Pens” button will save all of the sorted animals into individual files in the FaSTEIDFiles folder as Pen Name_Date.csv