Throughout testing, testers have asked the question about the relationship between the test data and their official data. Generally, testers have wanted to know if corrections which are made to the test data will affect their official data.

The answer is that the test data is based on the official data, but it is no longer linked to the official data in any way that would affect the official data. The test data was loaded in July of this year based on a "snapshot" of the official data. However, after being copied from the official data, the test data has been put in a separate database which is in no way connected to the official data. As a result, any changes made to test data will not affect official data.

The answer to this question is also provided in a FAQ under the General section.

Do changes made to data during Beta testing affect official data?

All of the data used during Beta testing is simply test data. Consequently, the data used during Beta testing cannot affect official data which has been submitted to the EPA. There is no active connection between Beta testing data and official data.

The test data that is part of Beta testing was copied from the official data. As a copy, it reflects the official data as of early July 2007. Any changes made to official data after that time will not be seen in the Beta testing data.

As you work with your Beta testing data, you might find some of your data which need to be corrected in the official version. In order for the data to be corrected in official data, you are encouraged to make the corrections to your EDRs and include these corrections in your subsequent submissions of official data.

Labels: Database, FAQ

Recently, a stakeholder asked the question of how to set up ECMPS to allow multiple users to work with the same data. He was concerned about how to limit the ability of users to submit data through ECMPS. A FAQ which addresses these questions was added to the General section.

How can I set up a system to allow multiple users to work with the same data?

There are two ways to set up a multiple user system for the ECMPS Client Tool. The first is to use a shared network local ECMPS database. Each user would connect to the shared network database through each user's copy of the Client Tool. Thus, any changes made by one user would automatically be available for any other user who connected to the same shared database. Through the CAMD Business System, users could be assigned rights that would allow them to retrieve, view, and edit the data, but would prevent them from submitting the data.

The second multiple user system utilizes ECMPS Client Tools with their own local ECMPS database. Each person who has been granted access to Unit X at Facility Y will be able to synchronize the data associated with Unit X at Facility Y through his copy of the Client Tool. In other words, everyone will synchronize through the EPA Host System. As in the first scenario, rights can be assigned that prevent submission of data but provide users the ability to do everything else. A business process scenario might look like this:

1. The user at the plant logs on to Client Tool which automatically synchronizes his local ECMPS database with any changes submitted from the corporate office.


2. The user at the plant imports in to his Client Tool the XML file to be reported. Then the user at the plant evaluates the newly imported data. This process is repeated until the data evaluates without any critical errors.


3. The user at the plant sends the XML file to the corporate office.


4. The user at the corporate office imports in to his Client Tool the XML file and evaluates it. After verifying that the data does not have any critical errors, the data is submitted to EPA through the Client Tool.


5. The next time the user at the plant logs on to the Client Tool, the data that was submitted will be automatically retrieved from the EPA Host System and added to his Client Tool database.

In this scenario, the user at the plant would not have rights to submit the data, but he could retrieve and synchronize any data to which he has been assigned access rights through the CAMD Business System.

Labels: Database, FAQ, Synchronization

The database backup and restore utilities that are new to the Beta B release were highlighted in a previous post. However, the FAQ on how to use the backup and restore to restored the Client Tool database to its original state needed to be updated. The new version of this FAQ is in the Client Tool section of the FAQs.

How can I restore my database to its original state without reinstalling the ECMPS Client Tool?

During Beta testing, it might become necessary to start over with a fresh database. In order to do that, complete the following steps:

1. Close the ECMPS Client Tool, if it is open.
2. Backup up your current database using the Database Backup Utility. The Database Backup Utility is accessed from the ECMPS Configuration Utility. The ECMPS Configuration Utility can be opened from the Windows Start menu. Select Start | All Programs | Perrin Quarles Associates | ECMPS Client | ECMPS Configuration Utility. (Or it can be accessed from \\PROGRAM FILES\PQA\ECMPS\ECMPS_CLIENT_CONFIG.EXE).
   In the ECMPS Configuration Utility, select Database Backup from the Maintenance menu.
3. Use the Browse button to select a folder to where the database will be backed up. Note, the backup files can be saved to any folder.
4. Click the Backup Databases button to backup the database.
5. Restore the database to its original state by using the Database Restore Utility. The Database Restore Utility is accessed from the ECMPS Configuration Utility. The ECMPS Configuration Utility can be opened from the Windows Start menu. Select Start | All Programs | Perrin Quarles Associates | ECMPS Client | ECMPS Configuration Utility. (Or it can be accessed from \\PROGRAM FILES\PQA\ECMPS\ECMPS_CLIENT_CONFIG.EXE). In the ECMPS Configuration Utility, select Database Restore from the Maintenance menu.
6. All three of the database backup files named FRESH in the folder \\PROGRAM FILES\PQA\ECMPS\DATABASESETUP\ need to be restored. Select these by using the Browse button. The default
   setting of C:\PROGRAM FILES\PQA\ECMPS\DATA for the data directory does not need to be changed.
7. Click the Restore Databases button to restore the databases.
8. Restoring the database to its original state will delete any data in the ECMPS Client Tool database. The next time you start the ECMPS Client Tool, you will need perform the steps involved in the initial login.

Please note, this will delete any data in your ECMPS Client Tool database. Before using the Restore Database Utility, use the Backup Utility to save any data that you do not want deleted.

Labels: Database, FAQ

There seems to be some confusion about the data which is being used during Beta testing. We have heard some concerns that changes to the data used during Beta testing will affect official data.

The fact is that all of the data used during Beta testing is simply test data. In addition, the data used during Beta testing cannot affect official data that has been submitted to the EPA. There is no active connection between Beta testing data and official data.

The test data that is part of Beta testing was copied from the official data. As a copy, it reflects the official data as of early July 2007. Any changes made to official data after that time will not be seen in the Beta testing data.

As testers work with their Beta testing data, they might see some of their data that need to be corrected in the official version. In order for the data to be corrected in official data, testers are encouraged to make the corrections to their EDRs and include these corrections in their subsequent submissions.

A FAQ on this topic has been added to the General section.

Do changes made to data during Beta testing affect official data?

All of the data used during Beta testing is simply test data. Consequently, the data used during Beta testing cannot affect official data which has been submitted to the EPA. There is no active connection between Beta testing data and official data.

The test data that is part of Beta testing was copied from the official data. As a copy, it reflects the official data as of early July 2007. Any changes made to official data after that time will not be seen in the Beta testing data.

As you work with your Beta testing data, you might find some of your data which need to be corrected in the official version. In order for the data to be corrected in official data, you are encouraged to make the corrections to your EDRs and include these corrections in your subsequent submissions of official data.

Labels: Beta Testing, Database, FAQ

A new FAQ has been added which explains how to wipe all of the data out of your database without having to reinstall.

How can I restore my database to its original state without reinstalling the ECMPS Client Tool?

During Beta testing, it might become necessary to start over with a fresh database. In order to do that, complete the following steps:

1. Backup any data you want to save by using the export functionality of the ECMPS Client Tool.
2. Close the ECMPS Client Tool, if it is open.
3. Go to the folder C:\PROGRAM FILES\PQA\ECMPS\DATABASESETUP\.
4. Double-click on the file ECMPSDATABASESETUP.EXE. This will start the application "Format SQL Client Databases".
5. Click the FORMAT button to format the database.
6. The formatting is complete when the last entry in the window reads "Done". If necessary, click the FORMAT button additional times until the last entry in the window reads "Done".
7. Formatting the databases will delete any data in the ECMPS Client Tool database. The next time you start the ECMPS Client Tool, you will need to follow the steps for the initial login which are included in the ECMPS Beta Installation Guide.

Please note, this will delete any data in your ECMPS Client Tool database. Backup any data you want to save by using the export functionality of the ECMPS Client Tool.

If you have any questions about how to export your data to back it up or how to follow these instructions, send an email to .

Labels: Database, FAQ