Frequently Asked Questions

What's an SQL Server and why does Case Manager need one?

"SQL" is an acronym for "Structured Query Language" which is a standardized and widely used programming language for manipulating relational databases. Some people pronounce it "sequel" but this is incorrect. "SEQUEL" was the previous database system developed by IBM before "SQL" was developed. So, at least early on it was important to differentiate between the two database products.

The important thing to note about Case Manager's SQL Server is that it allows us to create applications using the client/server model. In contrast, many programs use a "distributed engine" approach to getting multi user functionality. This model has a dark side in that it can be unreliable and prone to database corruption. The client/server model solves these problems by putting the engine on only one computer, the "server".  The client program (Case Manager) simply sends SQL "queries" to the database program on the server. If one of the client computers is shut off in the middle of saving data SQL Server is smart enough to cancel any pending changes for that client. And so database integrity is maintained.  

I'm using the Just Invoice History View and asking for 500 days worth of invoices. However, I can only scroll through about 30 days worth of invoices. What's going on?

In order to keep performance acceptable Case Manager has a limit on the number of rows that can be returned by a view. You can imagine if a large lab did this it might return enough rows to fill up the available memory.

The default limit is 500. You can change the default by going to Laboratory --> User Options --> Other. Change the Max Rows in View setting to something else. Most computers can handle up to around 3000 without much trouble.

The key thing to remember is that you probably don't want to scroll through more than 500 rows anyway. Instead use the Quick Find. When you use the Quick Find in this scenario it searches against all the days not just the rows that are displayed.

Case Manager's Scheduler schedules to the hour but I only care about full days. Can Case Manager schedule my cases?

Yes. If you want to simulate "whole day" scheduling you can set this up by doing the following:

1. In Laboratory --> Calendar make a note of the hours worked each day. For best results with "whole day" scheduling you'll want each work day to have the same number of work hours. For example, let's suppose your lab works 8 hours each day.
   
2. In Laboratory --> Scheduler --> Item Schedules where you list the tasks in the schedule use a multiple of 8 for the Schedule Hours.
   
3. In Laboratory --> Scheduler --> Schedule Start set the scheduler to start all cases first thing the next morning. This way every task will be due at the end of a work day.

What's the best procedure for backing up Case Manager?

We recommend the following:

1. Use a Zip drive, CD-RW drive, Jaz drive or some kind of removable media other than floppy disks. You'll want to get a set of 5 labeled "Monday" through "Friday".
   
2. Back up every day. Use the Compress option.  Backup on "today's" media set. 
   
3. Take the previous day's backup home with you. For example, if it is Wednesday afternoon and you've just backed up on Wednesday's disk, take Tuesday's backup home with you.  

Is it legal to install a copy of Case Manager on my home computer for backup purposes?

Yes. This is a very good idea. You can use the Backup and Restore functions in Case Manager to transfer the information back and forth. Just remember that a restore replaces the data. For example, if you take a backup home and restore and then add, change or delete information while someone at the lab is also adding, changing or deleting information then either you or the person at the lab is going to lose their changes. There is a technology called replication that could be used to merge data but it requires prior setup, alot of administration and is generally only feasible for larger companies with dedicated staff.

What's the best version of Windows to run Case Manager on?

Windows XP Professional or Windows 2000 Professional. Both of these are based on NT which is much more reliable than Windows 95/98/ME.

What's the best kind of printer to use with Case Manager?

We recommend the HP printers. We have 2 ancient HP LaserJet 4 that will not die. They are tanks. For small to medium sized labs we recommend the LaserJet 2200. For larger labs we recommend the LaserJet 4100. Both are excellent printers.

The problem with InkJet printers is the cost. Cost per page for inkjets is typically 10 to 20 cents per page. A Laser printer's cost per page is often 1 to 2 cents or less. Think about how many pages your business prints in a year and you'll see that a laser is probably cheaper than an inkjet.

I like to print 2 copies of my invoices. How can I do this with a laser printer?

We have several solutions for this situation:

• We have a perforated plain paper form that you can print 2 invoices on. Case Manager includes a few different forms for this kind of paper. 
  
• If you prefer a full size invoice you can tell Case Manager to print 2 copies and it will remember this each time you print an invoice.  
  
• If your laser printer has 2 paper trays like the LaserJet 2200T then you could load white paper in one tray and yellow paper in the other. Then you could configure Case Manager to print one copy to each tray. This would let your copies stack up during the day ready for filing. You can do the same thing if you have 2 laser printers.  You could send one copy to the first printer and a second copy to the other.