Unity Alert User Guide - EN

Bio-Rad Laboratories Q C D ATA M A N A G E M E N T S O L U T I O N S
Unity™ Alert
User Guide
Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction to Unity™ Alert 1
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Color Coded Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Flexible Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Visual Taskbar Notifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Email Notifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Analyzed Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Pending Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Chapter 2: Install Unity™ Alert 5
Types of Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Client-Server Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Client-Server Installation: Example 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Client-Server Installation: Example 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Local Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Local Installation: Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Installation Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Hardware Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Operating System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Prerequisite Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Email Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Install Unity™ Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Configure the Unity™ Alert Service and Client. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Configure as Local Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Configure as Service on a Different Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Activate the New Unity™ Alert License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Upload a Unity™ Alert License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Stop and Start the Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Stop the Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Start the Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Bio-Rad Laboratories i
Chapter 3: Configure Unity™ Alert 21
Configure the Columns on the Main Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Configure the Columns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Configure Email Notification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Test Send an Email . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Chapter 4: Configure Alarms for Analyzed Data 25
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Set Up an Alarm for Analyzed Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Select Days of the Week for the Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Add an Email Address for the Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Move Email Addresses Between the Available List and Target List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Remove (Delete) an Email Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Set Up Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Select Rule Violations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Select the Email Interval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Edit an Alarm Rule for Analyzed Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Delete an Alarm for Analyzed Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Chapter 5: Configure Alarms for Pending Data 35
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Set Up an Alarm for Pending Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Select Days of the Week for Email Notifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Set Up Intervals for Email Notifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Add an Email Address for the Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Move Email Addresses Between Available and Target . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Remove (Delete) an Email Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Configure Alarms for Pending Data by Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Edit an Alarm Rule for Pending Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Delete an Alarm Rule for Pending Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
ii Unity™ Alert User Guide

Chapter 6: View Analyzed and Pending Data 45
Common Features for Viewing Analyzed and Pending Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Select a View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Refresh the View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Clear the View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Resize the Columns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Sort the Columns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
View Analyzed Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Visual Taskbar Notifications for Analyzed Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Email Notification for Analyzed Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Example Email Notification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Example Analyzed Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
View Pending Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Email Notification for Pending Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Example Email Notification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Example Pending Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Pending Data with Levels: Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Unity™ Alert User Guide iii

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iv Unity™ Alert User Guide

CHAPTER
1
Introduction to Unity™ Alert
In This Chapter
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Color Coded Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Flexible Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Visual Taskbar Notifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Email Notifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Overview
Unity™ Alert is a new add-on module for Unity Real Time® 2. Unity™ Alert continuously monitors the status of
QC data and alerts you if QC data is missing or is rejected against statistical process control rules (SPC) rules
or analytical goals.
Alert notifications are provided visually on the main window, through taskbar icons, and by email. Unity™ Alert
runs in the background as a service, and operates even when Unity Real Time® 2 is closed.
Color Coded Display

The Unity™ Alert main window has a color coded display that shows user-defined QC failures.
Accepted (Green) Warning (Yellow) Rejected (Red) Rejected qualitative test (Orange)
Bio-Rad Laboratories 1
Chapter 1: Introduction to Unity™ Alert
Flexible Views
Unity™ Alert allows you to select and view QC data based on a variety of combinations.
• By Laboratory
You can customize selections by any combination of lab numbers, lot number, instruments, and analytes
set up in Unity Real Time® 2.
• By Instrument
You can customize selections by any combination of instruments set up in Unity Real Time® 2.
• By Panel
You can customize selections by any combination of panels set up in Unity Real Time® 2.
• Each view lets you select a specific date and time for the QC data.
2 Unity™ Alert User Guide

Visual Taskbar Notifications

The Unity™ Alert icon appears with different symbols on the notification area of the taskbar. This is a
convenient way to view the Unity™ Alert status while you are working with other software. The notification area
of the taskbar is located on the bottom right of you computer monitor and is where you usually see the current
time displayed.
Red X Not logged on to Unity Alert.
White exclamation Unity Alert is running and monitoring QC data.
Green exclamation There is analyzed QC data this is accepted.
Yellow exclamation There is analyzed QC data with a rule or analytical goal violation.
Red flashing exclamation There is analyzed QC data that is rejected.
Orange exclamation There is analyzed qualitative QC data that is rejected.
Note: A rejection supersedes a warning. If there is both a rejection and warning for a QC data point, the
icon is flashing red (rejection).
Unity™ Alert User Guide 3

Email Notifications
You can configure Unity™ Alert to send email notifications for analyzed and pending QC data based on
customized configurations.
Analyzed Data
Every rule failure for a selected range of QC data is grouped into a “New Failures” email. The email is sent
according to your customized selections.
• Dynamic configuration of QC data failure notifications
• Customized QC data selection
• Customized day selection
• Customized email selection
Pending Data
Unity™ Alert scans the Unity Real Time® 2 database at the end of each user-defined interval and sends an
email notification showing all missing analytes for the defined interval. Unity™ Alert also scans the last time one
or more analytes was reported and shows the number of hours since the last run (QC delay). The display for
pending QC data shows the user-defined data and sends an email notification based on the customized
configuration.
• Dynamic configuration of pending notifications by shift or interval
• Customized rule and data range selection
• Customized day and shift setup
• Customized email selection

CHAPTER
2
Install Unity™ Alert
In This Chapter
Types of Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Installation Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Install Unity™ Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Configure the Unity™ Service and Client. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Activate the Unity™ License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Upload a Unity™ License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Stop and Start the Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Types of Installation
Unity™ Alert consists of a service and a client application.
There are different ways you can install and implement Unity™ Alert depending on your laboratory’s needs:
• As a client-server installation over a network
• As a local installation on a single computer
Chapter 2: Install Unity™ Alert
Client-Server Installation
Unity™ Alert can be installed and configured so that the Unity™ Alert service resides on one central computer
and is shared among multiple users. Unity™ Alert can be installed on any computer, with or without
Unity Real Time® 2. Bio-Rad recommends installing only one Unity™ Alert service for a client-server system.
Important: The service must be running for email notifications (alerts) to be sent and for the client(s) to
function.
• The Unity™ Alert service is the host and connects to the Unity Real Time® 2 database.
• Users access the server through the Unity™ Alert client application.
• Unity™ Alert clients do not share any resources and only request service from the server.
Client-Server Installation: Example 1
Unity™ Alert clients
Server installed with:

• Unity Real Time® 2 database
• Unity™ Alert service and client
Client-Server Installation: Example 2
Unity™ Alert
clients
Server installed with Computer installed with
Unity Real Time® 2 Unity™ Alert service
database and client

Local Installation
Unity™ Alert can be installed and configured so that the service and client application reside on the same
computer with Unity Real Time® 2.
Local Installation: Example
Single computer installed with:

• Unity Real Time® 2 database
• Unity™ Alert client and service

Installation Requirements
Important: The computer must meet the minimum system requirements before installing Unity™ Alert.
Click the Start menu, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
The System Properties dialog box appears and shows the following information on the General tab:
• CPU type
• CPU speed
• RAM
Hardware Requirements
• Processor: Intel® Pentium® III compatible or higher
– Minimum: 500 MHz
– Recommended: 1 GHz or more
• RAM: Recommended: 512 MB or more
• Hard Drive: 600 MB free space
• Monitor and video card supporting 256 colors and 1024 x 768 resolution
Operating System Requirements

• Microsoft® Windows XP SP3
• Microsoft® Windows 7
• Microsoft® Windows 2000
Prerequisite Software
• Microsoft® .NET Framework 2.0 or later
• Microsoft® Internet Explorer® 6.0 SP1 or later (prerequisite for Microsoft® .NET Framework)
• Microsoft® Data Access Components (MDAC) 2.8 SP1 or later (required for Microsoft® SQL Server®).
You can download MDAC from the Microsoft® web site.
Email Communication
SMTP server available (login and password if required) and an assigned sender email address for Unity™ Alert.
Installation
Bio-Rad will provide installation and support through a remote session.

Install Unity™ Alert

Note: The Unity™ Alert installation files are transferred to you electronically. Save the installation files to a
folder on your computer.
1 Open the folder where you saved the installation files and double-click setup.exe.
The Welcome window appears.
2 Click Next.

3 Select the installation option and then click Next.
• Client
Select this option to install only the Unity™ Alert client on the computer.
• Client and Service

Select this option to install both the Unity™ Alert service and Unity™ Alert client on the same
computer.
The default path to install Unity™ Alert is on the local hard drive is:
(Program Files\Bio-Rad Laboratories\Unity Alert).
4 Click Next.
The Confirm Installation dialog box appears.

5 Click Next.
A progress bar appears while Unity™ Alert is being installed.
A message appears when the installation is complete.
6 Click Close.
A shortcut to Unity™ Alert is placed on the computer desktop.
7 Continue with the next section, “Configure the Unity™ Alert Service and Client.”

Configure the Unity™ Alert Service and Client

Double-click the Unity™ Alert shortcut located on your computer desktop.
Configure as Local Service

Use this option to configure the Unity™ Alert client on the same computer where the Unity™ Alert service is
installed.
1 Click .
The Configuration dialog box appears.
The . (period) in the Unity Alert service host field designates the local service.
2 Enter the database connection information as shown below:
Server: (LOCAL) or the SQL database server

User Name: Enter the SQL login for the Unity Real Time® 2 database
Password: Enter the SQL password for the Unity Real Time® 2 database
Name: Select the name of the Unity Real Time® 2 database

3 Click Accept.
4 Continue with the section “Activate the New Unity™ Alert License” on page 14.
Configure as Service on a Different Computer

Use this option to configure Unity™ Alert on a computer other than the one where the Unity™ Alert service is
installed.
Note: You must configure the database connection on the computer hosting the service before you
configure the clients.
1 Enter the computer name in the Unity Alert service host field.
Note: Since the Unity™ Alert service is not installed on the same computer as the client, the
Database connection fields are dimmed and not available.
2 Click Accept.
3 Continue with the section “Activate the New Unity™ Alert License” on the next page.

Activate the New Unity™ Alert License

The first time Unity™ Alert is started after installation, the license must be activated before you can log in. The
software license (key) is an .xml file that your Bio-Rad Representative sends to you in an email.
Note: The license is saved in the database. Therefore, you only need to activate the license one time. You
will not need to activate the license for any additional Unity™ Alert client installations.
1 Click Activate License.
Note: The Database connection fields are dimmed and not available if the Unity™ Alert service is not
installed on the same computer as the client.
2 Click .
3 Navigate to the location where you saved the key.xml file.

4 Select the key.xml file and click Open.
5 Click Accept.

Upload a Unity™ Alert License

Use the following steps to upload a Unity™ Alert license that was renewed. The software license (key) is an
.xml file that your Bio-Rad Representative sends to you in an email.
1 Click Configuration.
2 Click the License tab.
3 Click
4 Navigate to the location where you saved the key.xml file.

5 Select the key.xml file and click Open.
6 Click Upload.
7 Click Accept.

Stop and Start the Service

The Unity™ Alert service is always running unless it is intentionally stopped.
Note: The service is called Bio-Rad Laboratories :: Unity Alert Service.
Stop the Service

Important: The service must be running for email notifications (alerts) to be sent and for the client(s) to
function.
Click Start on the task bar, point to All Programs > Bio-Rad Laboratories > Unity Alert > Service, and then
click Stop Service.
Note: Your screen may look slightly different than the example above depending on the Bio-Rad software
installed on your computer.
A message briefly appears on the screen stating the service is stopping.

Start the Service

Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Bio-Rad Laboratories, point to Unity Alert, point to Service, and
then click Stop Service.
Note: Your screen may look slightly different than the example above depending on the Bio-Rad software
installed on your computer.
A message briefly appears on the screen stating the service is starting.


CHAPTER
3
Configure Unity™ Alert
In This Chapter
Configure the Columns on the Main Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Configure Email Notification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Configure the Columns on the Main Window

You can configure Unity™ Alert to show or hide any of the following columns of information on the main
window. The columns can be customized for each user set up in Unity Real Time® 2.
• Laboratory* • Instrument* • Rules*

• Lab description* • Reagent • Operator*
• Lot* • Unit • Action*
• Lot name* • Date and Time* • Comments*
• Analyte* • Value* • QC Delay
• Method • Y/N*
* Default selection
Chapter 3: Configure Unity™ Alert
Configure the Columns
1 Log on to Unity Alert with the user ID and password you want to configure the columns for.
2 Click Configuration. 2
3 Select the check box for each column you want to

appear on the main window.
Clear the check box if you do not want the column

to appear on the main window.
4 Click Accept. 3
5 Repeat steps 1–4 for each user you want to configure

the columns for.

Configure Email Notification
You must have the Administrator permission in Unity Real Time® 2 to configure email notification.
Note: Contact your laboratory’s IT department if you need assistance with the information needed to
configure email notification.
1 Click Configuration. 1
2 Click the Email notification tab.

2
3 Type your SMTP Server address in the SMTP
Server field.
3
4 Select the SMTP Requires Authentication check
4
box if your email server requires authorization. a
a Type the appropriate name in the Account b
5
Name field.
6
b Type the password in the Password field.
5 Select the Use SSL check box if your email server

uses Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption.
6 Type the sender’s email address in the Sender

Email Address field. 7
7 Continue with the next section if you want to send

a test email. Otherwise, click Accept.

Test Send an Email
1 Type the receiver’s email address in the

Test Receiver Mail Address field.
2 Click Test Send.
A message appears when the email is sent.
3 Click OK.
2
1
3
4
4 Click Accept.

CHAPTER
4
Configure Alarms for Analyzed Data
In This Chapter
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Set Up an Alarm for Analyzed Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Select Days of the Week for the Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Add an Email Address for the Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Move Email Addresses Between the Available List and Target List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Remove (Delete) an Email Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Set Up Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Select Rule Violations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Select the Email Interval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Edit an Alarm Rule for Analyzed Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Delete an Alarm for Analyzed Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Overview
You must have the Administrator permission in Unity Real Time® 2 to configure alarms.
You can set up and customize alarms (email notifications) for analyzed data in Unity™ Alert. You can customize
alarms for analyzed data according to the following:
• Lab number/lot/instrument/analyte/combination
• Panel
• Days of the week
• Specified email recipients
• Holidays
• Rule violations
• Defined interval for sending email notifications
Chapter 4: Configure Alarms for Analyzed Data
Set Up an Alarm for Analyzed Data
1
1 Click Alarms.
2 Click the Analyzed rules tab.
3 Click Add Rule.
2
3
4
4 Type the name for the rule in the
Name field.
5
5 Select the options from each of the lists
for the data you want an email notification
sent for.
You can select any combination of

laboratory, lot, instrument, and analyte, or a
panel selection.
6 Continue with the following sections to complete setting up the alarm:
• Select Days of the Week for the Alarm (page 27).
• Add an Email Address for the Alarm (page 27).
• Set Up Holidays (page 30).

Select Days of the Week for the Alarm
1 Select the check box for each day of the

week you want an email notification sent for
the alarm.
Clear the check box if you do not want an

email notification sent on that day.
2 Click Accept.
Add an Email Address for the Alarm
1 Click Add New Email.
2 Type the email address of the recipient and

click Add.
2
2
The email address is added to the

List of target email addresses.
1
3 Repeat steps 1 and 2 for each email
4
address you want the alarm sent to.
4 Click Accept.

Move Email Addresses Between the Available List and Target List
You can move email addresses between the available and target lists. This lets you set up all email addresses
and then select only those you want to receive alarm notifications.
1 Select the email address in the available list

or target list you want to move.
2 Click the appropriate button:
• Click to move a single email

address to the target (right) list.
1
• Click to move a single email
address to the available (left) list.
2
• Click to move all email
addresses to the target (right) list.
• Click to all email addresses

3
to the available (left) list.
3 Click Accept.

Remove (Delete) an Email Address

Important: Removing an email address removes it from the available list on the Analyzed rules tab and the
Pending rules tab.
You cannot remove an email address if it is used by a rule. You must first move the email address from the
target list to the available list. This removes the email address from the rule. See “Move Email Addresses
Between the Available List and Target List” on page 28 for more information.
1 Select the email address in the available list

you want to remove.
2 Click Remove Email.
The email address is removed.
3 Click Accept.
1

Set Up Holidays
You can set up holidays and other specific days that you do not want Unity™ Alert to send a notification email.
1
1 Click the Options tab.
2 Click located to the right

of the date to view the calendar.
3 Select the date for the holiday.
• Click to go to the 2
next month.
• Click to go to the
previous month. 3
4 Click Add. 5
The date is added to the

holidays.
5 Click Apply.
4
6 Repeat steps 2–5 to add other
holidays as needed.
7 Click Close when finished.

7

Select Rule Violations

You can configure Unity™ Alert to send an email notification for QC data with a status of “reject” or “warn” and
QC data that violates an analytical goal.
1
1 Click the Options tab. 3
2 Select the check box for each
type of rule violation you want to 2
send an email notification for.
Leave the check box blank if

you do not want to send an
email notification for the type of
rule violation.
3 Click Apply.
4
Select the Email Interval

Note: The email interval determines how often (1–99 minutes) Unity™ Alert checks for QC failures to send
notifications for.
1 Select how often (1–99 minutes) 2

you want Unity™ Alert to check
for QC failures.
2 Click Apply.
3 Click Close when finished. 1

Edit an Alarm Rule for Analyzed Data
1
1 Click Alarms.
3 Select the rule you want to edit.
The selected rule appears

highlighted in blue. 2
4 Click the edit button

for the rule you want to edit.
3 4
The Analyzed Alarm Rule dialog
box opens and shows the
current settings.
5 Edit the alarm rule as needed.
See the following sections if you need more information:
• “Select Days of the Week for the Alarm” on page 27.
• “Add an Email Address for the Alarm” on page 27.
• “” on page 27.
• “Set Up Holidays” on page 30.
6 Click Accept.

Delete an Alarm for Analyzed Data
1
1 Click Alarms.
3 Select the rule you want to

delete.
The selected rule appears 2

highlighted in blue.
4 Click the delete button

for the rule you want to delete. 3 4
A message appears asking

for confirmation.
5 Click Yes. 5


CHAPTER
5
Configure Alarms for Pending Data
In This Chapter
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Set Up an Alarm for Pending Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Select Days of the Week for Email Notifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Set Up Intervals for Email Notifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Add an Email Address for the Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Move Email Addresses Between Available and Target . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Remove (Delete) an Email Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Configure Alarms for Pending Data by Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Edit an Alarm Rule for Pending Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Delete an Alarm Rule for Pending Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Overview
You must have the Administrator permission in Unity Real Time® 2 to configure alarms.
You can set up and customize alarms (email notifications) for pending QC data in Unity™ Alert. Pending QC
data are tests that have not been run. Unity™ Alert scans the Unity Real Time® 2 database at the end of each
user-defined interval and sends an email notification showing all missing analytes for the defined interval.
Unity™ Alert also scans the last time one or more analytes was reported and shows the number of hours since
the last run (QC delay). The display for pending QC data shows the user-defined data and sends an email
notification based on the customized configuration.
You can customize alarms for pending QC data according to the following:
• Lab number/lot/instrument/analyte/combination
• Panel
• Days of the week
• Intervals (shifts)
• Specified email recipients
• Levels
Chapter 5: Configure Alarms for Pending Data
Set Up an Alarm for Pending Data
1
1 Click Alarms.
The Pending Alarm Rule

tab appears.
2 Click Add Rule.
3 Type the name for the rule

in the Name field. 3
4 Select the options for the data

you want an email notification 4
sent for.
You can select any

combination of laboratory, lot,
instrument, and analyte,
or panel selection.
5 Continue with the following sections to complete setting up the alarm:
• Select Days of the Week for Email Notifications (page 37).
• Set Up Intervals for Email Notifications (page 38).
• Add an Email Address for the Alarm (page 39).

Select Days of the Week for Email Notifications

You can select the days of the week that email notifications are sent to laboratory personnel. This feature is
convenient to ensure email notifications are sent to laboratory personnel only on their regularly scheduled work
days.
1 Select the check box for each day of the week you want an email notification sent.
Clear the check box if you do not want an email notification sent on that day.
2 Click Accept.

Set Up Intervals for Email Notifications

Note: The default interval is 00:00 (12 AM) to 23:59 (11:59 PM).
You can set up custom intervals to match the different shifts of laboratory personnel. This feature is helpful to
remind laboratory personnel that there is data requiring attention at specified times.
For example, if the laboratory runs QC at 8 AM and at 2 PM, you can set up notifications to be sent at 08:00
and 14:00.
1 Select the check box for the interval you want to set up.
2 Select the time for the interval:
• Click the arrows and select a From and To time for the interval, or
• Type the time for the interval in the From and To fields.
3 Repeat steps 1 and 2 to set up other intervals as needed.
• Set up the intervals in chronological order. Do not overlap intervals in the same rule.
• You should set up a different rule if the intervals overlap.
4 Click Accept.

Add an Email Address for the Alarm
1 Click Add New Email.
2 Type the email address of the recipient and click Add.
2
2
The email address is added to the List of target Email addresses.
3 Repeat steps 1 and 2 for each email address you want the alarm sent to.
4 Click Accept.

Move Email Addresses Between Available and Target

You can move email addresses between the available and target lists. This lets you set up all email addresses
and then select only those you want to receive alarm notifications.
1 Select the email address in the available list or target list you want to move.
2 Click the appropriate button:
• Click to move a single email address to the target (right) list.
• Click to move a single email address to the available (left) list.
• Click to move all email addresses to the target (right) list.
• Click to all -mail addresses to the available (left) list.
3 Click Accept.

Remove (Delete) an Email Address

Important: Removing an email address removes it from the available list on the Pending rules tab and the
Analyzed rules tab.
You cannot remove an email address if it is used by a rule. You must first move the email address from the
target list to the available list. This removes the email address from the rule. See “Move Email Addresses
Between Available and Target” on page 40 for more information.
1 Select the email address in the available list.
2 Click Remove Email.
The email address is removed.
3 Click Accept.

Configure Alarms for Pending Data by Levels

You can configure alarms for pending data by levels. The levels appear on the Pending tab and in email
notifications.
1
1 Click the Options tab. 3
2 Select the Pendings by level

check box.
3 Click Apply.

2

Edit an Alarm Rule for Pending Data
1
1 Click Alarms.
2 Select the rule you want

to edit.

3 Click the edit button

for the rule you want to edit.
The Pending Alarm Rule 2 3

dialog box opens and
shows the current settings.
4 Edit the pending alarm rule as needed.
See the following sections if you need more information:
• “Select Days of the Week for Email Notifications” on page 37.
• “Set Up Intervals for Email Notifications” on page 38.
• “Add an Email Address for the Alarm” on page 39.
• “” on page 40.
• “Configure Alarms for Pending Data by Levels” on page 42.
• “Configure Alarms for Pending Data by Levels” on page 42.
5 Click Accept.

Delete an Alarm Rule for Pending Data
1
1 Click Alarms.
2 Select the rule you want to

delete.

3 Click the delete button

for the rule you want to delete.
A message appears asking 2 3

for confirmation.
4 Click Yes.
5 Click Close when finished. 4

CHAPTER
6
View Analyzed and Pending Data
In This Chapter
Common Features for Viewing Analyzed and Pending Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
View Analyzed Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
View Pending Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Common Features for Viewing Analyzed and Pending Data

There are common features available for viewing analyzed and pending data:
• Select a view (page 46)
• Refresh the view (page 47)
• Clear the view (page 47)
• Resize columns (page 48)
• Sort columns (page 48)
Chapter 6: View Analyzed and Pending Data
Select a View
You can select and view analyzed and pending QC data based on a variety of combinations.
• By Laboratory
Select any combination of lab numbers, lot number, instruments, and analytes set up in
Unity Real Time® 2.
• By Instrument
Select any combination of instruments set up in Unity Real Time® 2.
• By Panel
Select any combination of panels set up in Unity Real Time® 2.
• Each view lets you select a specific date and time for the QC data.

Refresh the View

• You can refresh the view for analyzed and pending data. When you refresh the view, the time for the next
refresh begins according to the number of minutes you have selected in the Period list.
• Click the Analyzed tab or Pending tab and then click Refresh.
Clear the View

Clearing the view for analyzed and pending data resets the from time to the most recent data point available
plus one minute and runs to midnight (23:59).
1 Click the Analyzed tab or Pending tab.
2 Click Clear View.
• For analyzed data: Clearing the view resets the from time to the most recent data point available
plus one minute and goes to midnight (23:59).
• For pending data: Clearing the view adds all tests to the pending list again based on the same
interval.
2
1

Resize the Columns

• You can resize the columns on the Analyzed tab or the Pending tab.
• Position the pointer on the line between heading and drag the line to the left or right to resize the column.
Sort the Columns

• You can sort the columns on the Analyzed tab or the Pending tab.
• Click a column heading to sort the information in the column.
– Sort in ascending order:

The column heading appears with an arrow pointing up.
– Sort in descending order:

The column heading appears with an arrow pointing down.

View Analyzed Data

The color coded display for analyzed data shows the SPC rule failures for the user-defined data.
Important: Data must be saved in Unity Real Time® 2 to be visible in Unity™ Alert.
Accepted (Green) Warning (Yellow) Rejected (Red) Rejected qualitative test (Orange)
Note: No color indicates the analyte/level has not been run.
Double-click in any column to view the details for the row of analyzed data.

Visual Taskbar Notifications for Analyzed Data

The notification area of the taskbar shows the Unity™ Alert icon appears with different symbols for analyzed
data. The notification area of the taskbar is located on the bottom right of you computer monitor and is where
you usually see the current time displayed.
Red X Not logged on to Unity Alert.
White exclamation Unity Alert is running and monitoring QC data.
Green exclamation There is analyzed QC data this is accepted.
Yellow exclamation There is analyzed QC data with a rule or analytical goal violation.
Red flashing exclamation There is analyzed QC data that is rejected.
Orange exclamation There is analyzed qualitative QC data that is rejected.
Note: A rejection supersedes a warning. If there is both a rejection and warning for a QC data point, the
icon is flashing red (rejection).

Email Notification for Analyzed Data

Every SPC rule failure for the user-defined range of data is grouped into a new email. The email notification for
analyzed data is sent at the end of every configured interval.
1 The email notification reflects the data shown on the Analyzed tab.
Example Email Notification
Example Analyzed Tab

View Pending Data

Unity™ Alert scans the Unity Real Time® 2 database at the end of each user-defined interval and sends an
email notification showing all missing analytes for the defined interval. Unity™ Alert also scans the last time one
or more analytes was reported and shows the number of hours since the last run (QC delay).
Click the Pending tab.
Double-click a row for an analyte to view the details for the pending data in a separate window.

Email Notification for Pending Data

The email notification for pending data is sent at the end of every configured interval.
1 The email notification reflects the data shown on the Pending tab.
2 The QC Delay (Hs) column shows the last time in hours the analyte was run.
3 An empty field in the QC Delay (Hs) column of the email notification indicates the analyte has
never been run.
A dash (-) in the QC Delay (Hs) column on the Pending tab display indicates the analyte has never
been run.
Example Email Notification
Example Pending Tab
3
1

Pending Data with Levels: Example

You can configure alarms for pending data by levels. The levels appear on the Pending tab and in email
notifications. See “Configure Alarms for Pending Data by Levels” on page 42 for more information.

For further information, please contact your local Bio-Rad
office or learn more online at www.QCNet.com
Clinical Website www.bio-rad.com/qualitycontrol U.S. 1-800-2BIO-RAD Australia 61-2-9914-2800 Austria 43-1-877-8901 Belgium 32-9-385-5511 Brazil 5521-3237-9400
Canada 1-514-334-4372 China 86-21-64260808 Czech Republic 420-241-430-532 Denmark +45-4452-1000 Finland 358-9-804-22-00 France 33-1-47-95-60-00
Diagnostics Group Germany +49-(0)89-318-840 Greece 30-210-7774396 Hong Kong 852-2789-3300 Hungary +36-1-459-6100 India 1-800-180-1224 Israel 972-3-9636050
Italy +39-02-216091 Japan 81-3-6361-7070 Korea 82-2-3473-4460 Mexico +52 (55) 5488-7670 The Netherlands +31-318-540666 New Zealand 64-9-415-2280
Norway 47-23-38-41-30 Poland 48-22-3319999 Portugal 351-21-472-7700 Russia 7-495-721-14-04 Singapore 65-6415-3170 South Africa 27-11-442-85-08
Spain 34-91-590-5200 Sweden 46-8-555-127-00 Switzerland 41-61-717-95-55 Thailand 662-651-8311 United Kingdom +44-(0)20-8328-2000
© 2012 Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. 01/12

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Bio-Rad Laboratories Q C D ATA M A N A G E M E N T S O L U T I O N S

Chapter 1: Introduction to Unity™ Alert 1

Chapter 2: Install Unity™ Alert 5

Configure the Columns on the Main Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Chapter 4: Configure Alarms for Analyzed Data 25

Chapter 5: Configure Alarms for Pending Data 35

ii Unity™ Alert User Guide

Common Features for Viewing Analyzed and Pending Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Unity™ Alert User Guide iii

iv Unity™ Alert User Guide

Color Coded Display

2 Unity™ Alert User Guide

Visual Taskbar Notifications

Red X Not logged on to Unity Alert.

White exclamation Unity Alert is running and monitoring QC data.

Green exclamation There is analyzed QC data this is accepted.

Red flashing exclamation There is analyzed QC data that is rejected.

Orange exclamation There is analyzed qualitative QC data that is rejected.

Unity™ Alert User Guide 3

• Dynamic configuration of QC data failure notifications

• Customized QC data selection

• Customized day selection

• Customized email selection

• Dynamic configuration of pending notifications by shift or interval

• Customized rule and data range selection

• Customized day and shift setup

• Customized email selection

4 Unity™ Alert User Guide

• As a client-server installation over a network

• As a local installation on a single computer

Client-Server Installation: Example 1

Unity™ Alert clients

Server installed with:

Client-Server Installation: Example 2

6 Unity™ Alert User Guide

Local Installation: Example

Single computer installed with:

Unity™ Alert User Guide 7

– Minimum: 500 MHz

– Recommended: 1 GHz or more

• RAM: Recommended: 512 MB or more

• Hard Drive: 600 MB free space

Operating System Requirements

• Microsoft® Windows 2000

8 Unity™ Alert User Guide

Install Unity™ Alert

The Welcome window appears.

Unity™ Alert User Guide 9

3 Select the installation option and then click Next.

• Client and Service

The Confirm Installation dialog box appears.

10 Unity™ Alert User Guide

A progress bar appears while Unity™ Alert is being installed.

A message appears when the installation is complete.

A shortcut to Unity™ Alert is placed on the computer desktop.

Unity™ Alert User Guide 11

Configure the Unity™ Alert Service and Client

Configure as Local Service

The Configuration dialog box appears.

2 Enter the database connection information as shown below:

Server: (LOCAL) or the SQL database server

12 Unity™ Alert User Guide

Configure as Service on a Different Computer