Universal Resource Scheduler
Introduction
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"Universal Resource Scheduler", is an easy to use
visual, three dimensional scheduler.
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The purpose of the program is to assign a User to a
Resource for a specific amount of time.
The Main components are:
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Resources that needs to be scheduled.
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These Resources can be persons or things.
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You can give Resources a name, Physician, Technician,
Classroom, Boat etc.
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Assign features that belong to a Resource.
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Resources can have multiple properties can have names
like: Specialty, Size, Skills, Max number of people, Equipment.
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An Action is applicable to a Resource. You can name
Actions, like Reservation, Appointment, Schedule.
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The User is the User of a Resource.
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Name the User, like Customer, Patient, Teacher (For
classrooms), Renter, Assignment etc.
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You can name any of the above under "Options" while in
any of the two Editors.
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To make things easy, this manual will generically
refers to: Resources, Features or Properties, Reservations and Users.
Equipment needed
You will need;
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An IBM or compatible PC
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At least one fixed (hard) disk and CD-Rom.
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Microsoft Windows/98 or later.
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A mouse or pointing device must be attached.
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A Super VGA or higher pixel count Monitor.
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A printer to print reports and schedules.
Mouse Tracking
Since most functions are directed through mouse action,
some customers prefer to slow the pointer movement on the screen. To slow down
the Mouse Tracking:
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Select "Start" and "Control Panel"
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Click on Mouse.
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Move the Mouse tracking speed towards Slow.
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Move the mouse and see if the move feels comfortable.
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Click on Ok to save the setting.
Using the Menus
The "Universal Resource Scheduler" uses drop-down menus. Just point at the
heading and press the left mouse button and a further selection can then be
made.
The Opening Screen
The purpose of the Opening screen is to:
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Select a database (.mdb) or make a new database.
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Print an invoice for registration if you are not
registered.
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Enter a Password if the password function is set up.
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Get help if needed.
The Editors
Entering and changing schedules is performed in the
Editors.
There are two Editors;
To become familiar with the application, some files are
added during the installation process. the file created is the "Example room.mdb"
file with fictitious names for Resources and a Schedules based on the date of
installation.
Make it a habit to back up you current database by
selecting "File" and "Save as..." and giving it a name that is meaningful to
you.
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To look at one resource for as many dates as will fit
your screen, click on the Resource name, in the above case, click on "Pool
room" and the Resource Editor will appear.
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By clicking on <<Hours>> the Editor will return to the
default starting hour.
Note, if more than a single day is shown, the day of the
week colors cover halve of both days.
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To navigate in the Editors, you can click on any
weekday or tabs on the above navigation bar.
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Click on <<Days>> and return to the current day.
"Goto" will provide a calendar for choosing a particular
date.
Edit controls
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The screen size will determine how many Resources will
fit on a screen.
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The vertical scroll bar will only be displayed if you
have more Resources that will fit on the screen.
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You can navigate forwards and backwards through time by
Hour, Day and Week.
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Weekends are marked with a light background color.
Flash
With many reservations in place, it may sometimes be difficult to see if
there are any available spaces between Time bars. By clicking on the “Flash”
button on the bottom of the screen, the available areas will be shown in white.
Refresh
If more then one workstation has access to the database, changes in one
Editor will not be reflected for other users. Their screens only reflect the
latest change while other reservations were completed. If a contention for open
space is contested, a message will be shown. To prevent most of those messages
press F2 or click on the "Refresh" button on the bottom of the screen and the
Editor will be updated to the current status.
Do a Search to make a reservation
You can do a search to look for time available for
Reservations.
- You can search all Resources and specify Features or
Properties.
- You can search selected Resources for available time.
- Specify the Hours and Minutes needed.
- Specify the start date, the start date time and the
number of days to search.
- Searches are based on the Resource availability set in
the Resource record unless marked "Ignore availability".
- You can limit the search results for each Resource.
The time bar
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Time is entered and changed in the Editor screen.
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The representation of time is the "Time bar".
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A new bar is initially colored WHITE.
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When the reservation is completed you can give the bar
a different color.
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If the bar is long enough, the name of the current User
will be displayed.
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If the bar is too short, point to the bar with the
mouse and the User will be shown in a box.
Notes:
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An arrow is displayed under the "Hour-ruler" to show
the current mouse position.
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As you enter time by dragging the mouse, a bar under
the ruler will show you the progress.
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After the bar is completed the bar is adjusted to the
nearest 15 minutes.
Making a new time bar
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Start and stop times are entered by pointing the mouse
at an editor line, pressing the left button and holding it down while dragging
the mouse from left to right or right to left.
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Initially all bars will be colored WHITE, indicating that
no User has been assigned yet.
Move a time bar
Pointing to the bar, away from either end and while holding down the left
button, will allow movement from left to right, up and down. If the new position
does not fit, the bar will resume it old location.
Changing a time bar
Pointing the mouse to the beginning or the end of a bar will allow stretching
or decreasing the bar size.
Copy a time bar
To Copy a bar:
Deleting a time bar
To delete a bar, press the right mouse button and select "Cut" or "Delete".
Replicate a Time bar
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By right clicking the mouse on a Time bar, you can
select "Replicate".
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By then selecting to repeat a Time bar for each day or
day of the week and the number of days or weeks.
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If during the replication the program encounters a
reservation in place, the replication will be terminated and a message will
show you the date where the conflict occurred.
Assigning a User to the time bar
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Right click on any bar and select "Make reservation".
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You can select "List first 100" the first 100 Users
will be displayed ready for a selection.
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You can search for a User in the current database.
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An example search is: Enter all or part of a phone
number in the yellow text box, then click on "Phone". All the qualifying Users
will be on the spread sheet, now you can pick the one to assign to the current
bar.
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You have several search options to find the right User.
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Click on the User you want and the conformation window
will show.
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You can add any notes for this reservation and select
different color.
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Click the Save button on the bottom and the routine is
completed.
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The name of the User will now be on the Bar if there is
space.
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Any time you point to the bar the complete User
information will be displayed.
Passwords
You can set up Passwords by selecting "Password" on the menu. Do not loose
this password, access to the program will be blocked.
Starting with version 2.3, Passwords have been expanded with new functions,
there are now two levels of Passwords.
The initial Password, is the "Big Boss" Password. When the "Big Boss" signs in,
only the Password is needed to access the database, no Nick name or ID is
needed.
The "Big Boss" is allowed to set up additional Passwords with "Nick names".
These additional Passwords can be assigned curtain authority, like "Allowed to
change reservations" or "Allowed to set up new reservations" etc.
The advantage of the additional Passwords is that you can allow other database
operators from changing reservations, they may have been authorized to "Look
only".
There are no limits to the number of additional Passwords with Nick names or
IDs. Nick names or IDs can not have duplicates.
If you assign one Nick name or ID with the same Password to a group of people,
is a good idea not to allow them to change the password. If one operator
changes the Password, the others will be locked out.
The "Big Boss" can change the settings and make changes at any time.
Reports
Four reports are available:
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Print Schedules by Resource and between two dates.
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Print Schedules by User and between two dates.
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Print schedules for one Resource and between two dates.
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Print schedules for one User and between two dates.
Prior to printing, you can review the report on the
screen.
Publishing on the Web
You can publish your schedules on the World Wide Web (The Internet). File
structures are called HTML files. Before saving a schedule, you can preview
these files just as you do before printing a schedule. When saving these files
you need to give them a name. The file extensions will be .HTM like "August
schedule.HTM".
Availability
There are two kinds of availabilities.
1 - The available of time to schedule a Resource in the
Editor.
2 - The Daily Resource availability.
In case 1, for a Resource to be scheduled, there
must be an opening to draw
TimebarScribble110
in the Editor to make a reservation etc..
In case 2, the Resource must be available to be
scheduled. These times are set in the individual Resource window and can differ
for each day.
If the Resource is an employee, that person may work from 8Am to 5pm and
therefore should not be scheduled to work outside of these hours. In the
Editors, you can click on "Availability" on the bottom of the screen and the
area marked in Red shows the limits of the Resource Daily availability. A
conference room however is available almost any day and time with the a possible
exception of a setup or cleaning period etc.
Daily Resource availability
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The Resource availability is entered in the Resource
screen by drawing a Bar the same this is done in the Editors.
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The Resource availability is visible on demand in both
Editors by clicking on "Availability" on the bottom of the Editor screens.
To start the program after installation
After installation, you may select the Schedule Resource Icon on the Desktop
or by selecting "Start", "Programs" and "Universal Resource Scheduler".
Installation
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From "Start", select "Explorer" (Press the right mouse
button).
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Doubleclick on the File name setupurs.exe if downloaded
from the WebSite or Setup.exe if you are installing from the CD-Rom.
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To become familiar with the program's function without
having to set up Resources, Users and options, select to open the database
"Example room.mdb". This will allow you to investigate the application
quickly.
Technical information
This application default install Folder is "C\:Program
files\Universal Resource Scheduler" the
database file ends with .MDB. This file is a Microsoft ACCESS Jet 3 database.
Technical Support
After the registration has been received by Guia International, the User is
entitled to free E-mail support for a period of 90 Days. Any extended support
may be negotiated thereafter. Contact us at
www.workschedules.com
Program License Agreement
Read the following terms and conditions before using the
program. By using or accepting this program, you indicate that you accept the
terms and conditions set forth bellow.
Guia International Corp. provides this program and
licenses its use. You assume responsibility for the selection of these programs
to achieve your intended results, and for the installation, use and results
obtained from the programs.
Limited warranty
The programs are provided without warranty either expressed or implied,
including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and
fitness for a particular purpose. In no event, will Guia International Corp. be
liable to you for any damages, including any lost profits, lost savings or other
lost incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use or inability to
use such programs even if Guia International Corp. or any of its agents or
dealers had been advised of the possibility of such damages. You acknowledge
that you have read this agreement, understand it and agree to be bound by its
terms and conditions.
05-17-07
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