Once installed, open your Linko CTS program and click on the modules menu item across the top of the screen.  Next click on Linko Pipe.

 

 

From the main menu, click the Import Datasets link which will take you to the LinkoPipe - Electronic Import screen.  Follow the steps below to import data.

 

Select a lab to import.  This field is automatically populated with the first lab in your list of labs, so you only have to select the lab if different than the first lab.

 

Next select the dataset to be imported.  Once you select a dataset, LinkoPipe will attach to the dataset, calculate some statistics and display those statistics to the right.  There will also be a status message at the top of the screen with instructions for your next step.

 

Next click the "Next" button which will take you to the Samples screen.  This may take a few seconds if you have a big dataset file, LinkoPipe looks to see which samples are contained in the dataset, and then checks to see if any of those sample names are already in CTS. 

 

 

 

At the Samples Screen you will see a table of samples in the dataset.  Here you can enter missing sample information or change sample information.  Use the horizontal scroll bar to view all the columns of sample information to the right of the tab.

 

The following paragraphs describe the importance of each field and how you can impact the success of the import using these fields:

 

A.   Import - Checkbox used to select the sample for import.  LinkoPipe will automatically set this to import if a valid permit number is found in CTS.  Invalid permit numbers will cause this checkbox to become unchecked - that is samples without a valid permit number will automatically be set to not import.  If you try to check this box with an invalid permit number, a message will display.  Next if a sample has been previously entered, it will not be selected to import.  However, you will have the ability to select the sample and have its results import over top of the results that are currently entered in the system.

 

B.   Permit Number - assign the sample to a permit selected from the pull down list.  The permit number is automatically decoded from the sample name, using the first part of the sample name.  How many characters are used is set from the System Administration Screen -> Configuration Parameters -> PermitNoLength.  You cannot import a sample without a valid permit number in this column.

 

C.   Adjusted Sample Name - In this column you can change the sample name or you can select an already existing CTS+ sample.   If the sample name is found in the database the letters "CTS" appear in red just to the left of the Permit Number column.    If you have multiple samples with the same name, but different start time sampled or different monitoring points, you will want to click the Import button.

 

D.   Adjusted Date Time Sampled - You can change the date and time samples (start time) in this field.

 

E.    Monitoring Point - You should select the appropriate monitoring point for this sample.  Note that if you want to check daily compliance for a sample, you must enter a monitoring point so that CTS can retrieve the appropriate parameter daily limits.

 

F.    Stop Date / Time Sampled - This field is automatically set to the same date and time as the Adjusted Date Time Sampled.  You can change it if need be, such as if the sample were an 8 hr. composite.

 

G.   Sampler - Select the person or entity that collected the sample.  The name must match one in the list.

 

H.   Sample Type - Select the type of sample (i.e. Composite, Grab, etc.)  The name must match one in the list.

 

I.    Schedule Type - Select the type of schedule the sample was collected under.  The name must match one in the list.

 

J.    CTS Sample Comments - Enter any comments regarding this sample.  In some cases (depending upon your dataset format) this field may be automatically completed from the data in the dataset file.

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes the lab uses different spellings, different methods, or different units than those found in LinkoCTS.  When this happens, you must specify the translation to be made.   CTS will remember previous translations you have specified and only show your new parameters or methods or units.

 

After you have imported a variety of datasets, all the labs parameters will be known by CTS and you will not have to specify any translations.

 

The status message will tell you how many parameters in the active dataset need translated.  If you want to see all the parameters in a dataset, click the "View All Translations" button.

 

You will need to specify a translation the LinkoPipe status box displays a message like this:

 

 

 

For each parameter in the list, select a Translate to CTS Parameter from the pull-down box list.  The method and units will be automatically filled in; you cannot change these on this screen.   If you want to add the lab parameter, lab method and lab units to the CTS parameters, double click in the CTS Parameter field.  This will take you to the CTS parameters screen and automatically add the lab parameter, lab method and lab units to the list of CTS parameters.  You should review this entry to make sure the sort order is correct and the TRC factor is correct.  Click "OK" to accept this entry or "Cancel" to exit without saving the new parameter.  Note that if the parameter already exists in CTS, you will get an error message and will not be able to save it.

 

If the lab units do not match the CTS units, you will be prompted to specify a conversion factor.  If you select "Yes", then enter the conversion factor.   Conversion factor for changing ug/L into mg/L is 0.001, etc.  Conversion factor will be applied to the concentrations and to detection limits (aka reporting limits).

 

If you do not specify a parameter translation, the results are not imported.

 

Click the Next button which will make the Results tab active, showing a list results available for import.

 

 

 

Upon arrival to this tab from the Parameter screen, you are presented with a list of results available for importing.   The LinkoPipe status message also lists how many results are ready for import. 

 

Use the horizontal scroll at the bottom of the screen to view all the columns on the right side of the tab.   The Results tab is intended to be used to review the dataset results before importing.  

 

The results fields are as follows:

 

A.   Sample Name - same as the Adjusted CTS Sample Name on the Samples tab.  Cannot be modified.

 

B.   Import - Checked if result is to be imported, cleared if the parent sample is not selected for import or if there is not a valid CTS Parameter.  If you try to check this box while the CTS Parameter column is blank, you will get an error message instructing you to go back to the Parameter tab and assign a translation to the lab parameter.

 

C.   Lab Parameter Name - The lab parameter name cannot be modified.  It is included on this tab to show how it will be translated.  If you need to make changes, go back to the Parameters tab.

 

D.   Lab Method Name - The lab analytical method name cannot be modified.  It is included on this tab to show how it will be translated.

 

E.    Lab Units - The lab units cannot be modified.

 

F.    Lab Result - Concentration for the parameter cannot be modified.

 

G.   Lab R.L. - Lab Reporting Limit cannot be modified.

 

H.   CTS Parameter Name - Parameter which will be imported into CTS.   The lab parameter will be replaced with this name. Cannot be modified, use the System Administration -> Parameters table to change the combination of Parameter, Method and Units.

 

I.    CTS Method Name - Method which will be imported into CTS, the lab method will be replaced with the CTS Method Name.  Cannot be modified, use the System Administration -> Parameters table to change the combination of Parameter, Method and Units.

 

J.    CTS Units - Units which will be imported into CTS, the lab units will be replaced with these units.  Cannot be modified, use the System Administration -> Parameters table to change the combination of Parameter, Method and Units.

 

K.   CTS Result - Concentration which will be imported into CTS.  You can modify this field and thereby change results which are imported into CTS.

 

L.    CTS R.L. - Reporting Limit which will be imported into CTS.  You can modify this field and thereby change results which are imported into CTS.

 

 

When you arrive at this tab you will see the status message describing how many samples and results are selected for import and how many will successfully import.  If not all of the selected samples and / or results will import, there are two reasons: 1) the samples / results already exist in CTS; or 2) there is a problem with the sample or result.  

 

The default for any samples or results that have already been imported is to unselect them for import; however you can manually set them to be imported by checking the Import check box.  Samples will not be imported over existing samples even if the Import box is manually set to 'checked'.  However, checking this check box will automatically set the results in the sample to be imported.

 

In the latter case, you should go back to the sample and / or results tabs and correct any discrepancies - such as invalid permit number or un-translated parameter.

 

To perform the import, click the IMPORT button.  The status message will tell you how many samples and results were selected for import and how many were successfully imported.  A list of import attempts will be shown below which detail how many samples and results were available in the dataset (Total), how many were selected for import (Selected) and how many were successfully imported (Imported).

 

You can click the "Review" button to review samples and results imported successfully.