ARM DatCol

Availability: As of April 28, 2008 the Psion Workabout MX unit has been discontinued, and hardware cannot ordered.  GDM has a few DatCol SSD software cards still available.  As of 2006, the Psion Workabout MX is no longer sold in EU countries due to the RoHS initiative that restricts products containing hazardous materials. (Lead content is too high in Workabout MX.)

ARM Data Collector (ARM DatCol) is computer software for using a small, handheld computer as an electronic notebook for recording trial assessments. Data is keyed into the handheld computer when an assessment is made. Data transmitted from ARM DatCol to a personal computer (PC) is formatted to integrate with ARM software. ARM is sold separately by Gylling Data Management, Inc.

•  Why Use the ARM Data Collector Software?

•  Psion Workabout

• Using ARM Data Collector Software

• ARM Data Collector Features

• New Ratings File

• Collecting Data

• Special Editing Commands in DatCol

• Printing Data

• Transmit to Personal Computer

• ARM Data Collector Software Prices

• Ordering Information

• DatCol Brochure (pdf)

• Hardware

Why Use the ARM Data Collector Software?

Using ARM DatCol software can substantially improve the quality and efficiency of data recording.  Using ARM DatCol you can:

1. Enter ratings into a handheld computer as you collect those ratings in the field, greenhouse, or lab.
2. Print raw data and treatment means for the ratings while still at the assessment site.
3. Transmit ratings to ARM on a PC without re-typing any data, thus avoiding data transcription errors.  ARM can print a complete analysis of assessments within minutes after you return to your office.

ARM DatCol versions are currently available for the Psion Workabout Pro and Workabout MX

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Psion Workabout

The Psion Workabout is a handheld computer that is made by Psion Teklogix. We consider the Psion an excellent choice as a small, lightweight data collector with an easy to read screen, and separate numeric keyboard. The optional carry case provides a hand strap to make the Workabout more convenient to hold while making assessments.

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Using ARM Data Collector Software

Begin using the ARM data collector software to record assessments by creating a new rating file on the data collector.  Next enter assessment data into the rating file. When completed, print the ratings in plot number order, or optionally de-randomize and print in treatment order with means. Later, transmit the data to ARM trials on a PC.

Details on each step of using ARM DatCol and various options are described next.

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ARM Data Collector Features

The following are main menu screens for ARM DatCol on the Psion Workabout. The ARM DatCol menu on the Workabout has sub-menus under the main menu tabs File and Special. Reviewing the commands provides an effective overview of program features.

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New Ratings File

Begin assessing a trial by creating a new ratings file that is defined by:

1. A brief trial title and assessment date.
2. Number of treatments (up to 999) and replicates (up to 99) in trial.
3. Number of ratings to collect per plot, and a brief heading for each rating (maximum 40 different rating items per plot, such as 40 species or characteristics).
4. Starting plot number in each replicate, and whether to generate plot numbers in ascending or descending order for each replicate. ARM DatCol uses this to automatically advance to the next plot.
5. Number of samples (or subsamples) per rating per plot (up to 999).

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Collecting Data

During data collection, ARM DatCol automatically displays the next plot number to assess, and prompts for items to assess in the plot. Entering a plot number to review or edit over-rides the automatic plot number. Use arrow keys to move between items within a plot. You can easily interrupt data collection and resume later. Edit ratings at any time to correct mistakes. The following is an example editing screen on the Psion Workabout.

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Special Editing Commands in DatCol

Several function keys are available in ARM DatCol specifically for subsample data entry and editing issues.

• Move cursor between plot number and subsample number to specify a particular plot and subsample number to edit.
• Copy current subsample assessments to remaining higher-numbered subsamples for current plot.
• Copy one or all assessments in the current plot or subsample through all plots.
• Edit the header definition of an existing ratings file to either add or drop assessments to collect for a trial.

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Printing Data

Print data one a trial has been assessed, with the following options:

• Print all data in plot number order, including subsample entries for each plot or averaged across subsamples.
• Optionally average all subsamples into a single entry per plot.
• Print raw data sorted by treatment and the treatment mean for each different assessment.  Use this to find "outliers", and make any necessary chages while still at the research site.  A treatment randomization can be supplied in two ways:

1. Use a randomization file stored on the data collector.  This randomization would have been downloaded previously from ARM on a PC to the data collector.
2. Type in the randomization for treatments of interest.

• Print signature line so person assessing plots can sign printout for GLP/GEP purposes.

Preview the printout screen.  When printing or transmitting, any calculated means for treatments and plots are formatted to the same accuracy as the most accurate data point in each treatment or plot.  Accuracy is then added if needed until the printed mean differs from the actual mean by no more than three percent.

ARM DatCol software does not requite a printer.  However, before leaving the research site we strongly encourage anyone using a data collector to transfer assessments to a note PC.  These steps provide security from losing data due to equipment problems or usage errors.

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Transmit to Personal Computer

After returning to your office, assessments are transmitted (uploaded) from the data collector to ARM on a personal computer (PC).  With a laptop or notebook PC, you can even transmit while traveling.

The Options are:

• Average subsamples into one data point per plot and assessment.  This is most useful when rating a large number of subplots.
• Calculate percent infestation for scale based assessments.

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ARM Data Collector Software Prices

All prices quoted are in US dollars.  No quantity discount available.

Shipping in US $15.00 - Federal Express 2 Day Standard

Get hardware for more information on data collector handheld computers.

International Orders:

All countries have various tariffs and Value Added Taxes (VAT) charged on imported goods.  Although a country may have a zero tariff for computer hardware or software products, there may be additional taxes or fees that must be paid before the goods are released from customs.  Payment of any importation fees, customs duties and/or taxes are the responsibility of the customer and are not included in any prices quoted by GDM.

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Ordering Information

Contact Fran Gylling by email at fran@gdmdata.com or by telephone at (+1) 605-693-4150 with your questions or orders.

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DatCol Brochure

The DatCol Brochure (pdf) describes general features of DatCol data collection software.

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