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FAQs

  1. Do I have to have intelligent hardware to use iTRACS Physical Layer Manager?
    No, intelligent hardware is not required to use iTRACS Physical Layer Manager software.

  2. What does iTRACS Physical Layer Manager Software provide?
    iTRACS PLM can help organizations manage their asset connectivity this by providing data in an efficient and visual manner. Many customers utilized spreadsheets or other table based views to review their asset connectivity before switching to iTRACS PLM.

    By providing information in a simple format iTRACS PLM makes it easier for organizations to ensure the accuracy of their data. In addition, iTRACS PLM can be integrated with external trusted sources of information to help ensure the accuracy of its information. iTRACS Corporation also offers several optional add-ons to iTRACS PLM that can assist in ensuring accuracy.

    iTRACS PLM allows administrators to define individual and complex user rights. This allows administrators to better distribute relevant information to multiple departments within the same organization.

    By presenting data to more individuals organizations can improve upon your existing business rules for asset connectivity management and change. Instead of utilizing multiple applications to accomplish the same tasks, an organization can potentially consolidate information into one centralized location.

  3. What advantages does iTRACS Physical Layer Manager have over other Cable Management System products?
    Many CMS applications provide only a partial view of asset connectivity. With iTRACS PLM the user sees all of the relevant information in one clean and simple interface. iTRACS PLM allows organizations to define what assets they would like to document and what they need to document against those assets. Competing CMS applications typically have a limited number of predetermined classes and data fields.

  4. How can my users connect to iTRACS Physical Layer Manager?
    iTRACS Physical Layer Manager offers users multiple access points to their data:

    • Client Graphical User Interface (GUI): This graphical interface is the main way most power users connect to their iTRACS database. Client connections may allow users read and write access (depending on their individual user rights). The Client GUI is also how all administrative functions are carried out (e.g. adding users).
    • Web Interface: The web interface utilizes user-editable ASP code to provide users with read-only access to their database. Users may view circuit traces, dictionary information, run reports and search for specific objects.
    • iLocator: iLocator is a small stand-alone application that is designed to run on the machines of users who do not require the full Client Interface. With iTRACS PLM, users search for database objects (i.e. a server). The results of that search are run against a list of pre-determined reports. iLocator can provide quick and easy access to important information.
    • MapView: The MapView feature can also be accessed via a web interface. Within this web interface, users may access and navigate through the MapViews that administrators have built through the Client GUI.

  5. How many database records will iTRACS Physical Layer Manager support?
    The iTRACS PLM software database will support an unlimited amount of records, depending on your hardware’s storage capacity.

  6. How many concurrent users can be on iTRACS Physical Layer Manager?
    An unlimited number of users can be on iTRACS PLM, however, the number of concurrent users is contingent upon the terms of your software license agreement.

  7. On what platform does the iTRACS Physical Layer Manager software run?
    iTRACS is designed to run on the Microsoft Family of operating systems. Windows Server 2003 SP1 or Windows 2008 Server Standard Edition is recommended to run the iTRACS Server components.

  8. Is iTRACS Physical Layer Manager a tiered software application?
    Yes, iTRACS Physical Layer Manager utilizes three-tier software architecture:

    • Database Layer – For its database, iTRACS Physical Layer Manager utilizes Sybase SQL Anywhere. The license and support for this database is included in the cost of iTRACS Physical Layer Manager. Sybase SQL Anywhere is designed to run in environments where a DBA is not available or desired.
    • Object Layer – This is the iTRACS Physical Layer Manager server. The server software works as a bridge between the database and the 3rd layer.
    • GUI Layer – All of the various ways that clients may access their information forms the GUI layer (web, client GUI, iLocator, MapView, web interface).