SIMS Synchronisation

(Usually referred to as 'the SIMS Sync', sometimes as the 'SIMS interface')

accounts, and in SMART these locations are known as locations (in earlier versions of Smart they were referred to as sites).

The SIMS Sync is a process, initiated manually, which updates information from SIMS into the Smart database (information cannot be synchronized in the reverse direction because of limitations of the SIMS database). This removes the need for duplicate data entry and ensures that billing and dispatch functions are matched to the status of the SIMS account.

The 'sync' may be configured so that it is fully automated, or so that user approval must be granted for each change. It may also be configured to confirm that billing is in step with the SIMS account status, i.e. that new alarms are being billed and that alarms which have been suspended or cancelled are not being billed.

Multiple SIMS databases are supported. Each database must be linked to a different Alarm Company (see below).

Installation

The SIMS Synchronisation software requires no additional installation* but must be enabled for you to access it. Provided you have purchased the appropriate Smart licence, your supplier will provide an enabling code.

* Systems using an Oracle database require a special version of the Smart software.

At least one Smart workstation must have access to the drive containing the SIMS database. Depending on your network configuration, this may require a link to be set up between your SIMS server (usually running on a Novell network) and your Smart workstation (which is most likely be running on a Windows network).  A secure and relatively simple way of doing this is to install a second network card in the Smart workstation with access to the SIMS/Novell network.

The SIMS Sync reads from the SIMS database but does not in any way attempt to update it or slow its operation. However, you should try to choose a time to run the Sync when operators are not likely to be adding or changing account information, to avoid bringing in details which are partially edited.

Configuration

1. If you have not done so, obtain an enabling code from your Smart supplier to activate your SIMS interface.

2. Bring up the Alarm Company Details window (\Maintenance \Alarm Companies) as below.

  • Your system may use a different term instead of 'Alarm Company' (see the General Configuration window).
  • Select the Alarm Company which you want to be shown as the Alarm Company for locations which are imported from SIMS.
  • Set up one Alarm Company only unless you have multiple SIMS installations (see below). If you set up multiple Alarm Companies for the same SIMS database, the one which comes first in alphabetical order will be used.
  • If you have multiple SIMS installations, set up one Alarm Company for each SIMS installation. Each time you run a SIMS Sync, all SIMS installations will be processed.

  • In Monitoring SW: , specify SIMS
  • In Data location:, specify the location (folder name and path) of the SIMS live database. If you have more than one Smart workstation accessing the SIMS database, they will use the same location details, so they must have the same drive mapping (if any).
  • The Division: setting is not utilised by the SIMS interface.

3. If you want the current workstation  to be the one which performs the Sync, choose \File \Workstation Settings, go the 'Administrator Settings' tab (this requires Administrator access) and check the 'Allow SIMS Sync from this PC' box at the bottom of the window. If this box does not appear, your SIMS enabling code has not taken effect. If you have not restarted Smart since entering the enabling code, do so now.

Only one PC can be authorised to carry out the SIMS Sync at any one time.

4. To run, process,  and/or configure the Sync, select \Operations \SIMS Sync.

  • If this menu selection does not appear, your SIMS enabling code has not taken effect. If you have not restarted Smart since entering the enabling code, do so now.
  • Operator access to this menu selection is configurable. Select \Maintenance \Smart Setup \Operator Configuration and change the setting System Access/SIMS Sync.

If a SIMS Sync has been performed at least once, a list of SIMS Accounts will appear. For further details, see Resolving the Sync, below.

 

Select the Settings tab to see the window below and configure these options as follows:

Import All SIMS Accounts (full mode)

Check this selection (Full Mode) if you want all SIMS sites (alarm locations) to be imported into SMART when you press the "Sync" button. This will enable you to select a site more quickly but requires you store all sites (alarm locations) in your SMART database.

Leave this selection unchecked (Ad Hoc Mode) if you want to import site details only when a response is required for that site. This will reduce the number of sites stored in your SMART database but does not check for billing arrangements.

Leaving the selection unchecked will cause a SIMS button to appear at the top of the Job Despatch window. Clicking this button will enable the operator to select from a list of SIMS accounts and then create a job. The selected account will be added to the Smart database at that time.

If the SIMS Account doesn't exist in Smart

If Add to Smart is checked, the SIMS account will be added to Smart as a location. If there is an existing Smart location with a site code which matches the SIMS account number, that location will be linked to the SIMS account. If Report is checked, the account will be listed on screen when the SIMS Sync is complete and may be added or modified.

If no customer

If link existing is checked, the first Smart customer with the same name or account number as the SIMS account will be used as the customer for the Smart location. If Add Account as Customer is checked, the name, address, and account number of the SIMS account will be added as a Smart customer and linked to the Smart location. If both options are checked, the Add Account option will apply only if no existing customer can be found.

If Report is checked, the account will be listed on screen when the SIMS Sync is complete and a customer may be created or linked then.

If changes have been made to SIMS account details

If Update is checked, changes to the SIMS account name or address details will be made to the linked Smart location. Caution: If you re-use cancelled SIMS account numbers, you must not check this option. If you do, all Smart history for the 'old' account will appear against the 'new' account.

If Report is checked, the account will be listed on screen when the SIMS Sync is complete, and you may select which changes to apply.  If you are re-using a SIMS account number you must change the Smart site code for the 'old' location so that it doesn't match the SIMS account number, then add the 'new' SIMS account to Smart.

If you check both Update and Report, Smart location details will be updated during the Sync and you will not be able to view the 'old' details when the Sync is complete.

If status of SIMS account and Smart location are different

This setting applies if the SIMS account has been suspended or terminated and the Smart location hasn't, or vice versa. (Depending on which SIMS fields you use to indicate that an account has been terminated or suspended, this may require special configuration.) If Update Status is checked, the status of the Smart location is updated to match the SIMS account. If Report is checked, the account will be listed on screen  when the SIMS Sync is complete and the Smart location status may be updated then.

Include Zones

SIMS Zones will be imported into Smart.

SIMS zones which have a sub-account number will be linked to the Smart Location with the sub-account number as a site code. These zones will also be linked to the master account if synchronizations have been run for versions of Smart before this version.

Check Periodics

If this box is checked, a check will be made to see whether there is a current Periodic Charge or Service for the Smart location and whether it has the same status (active or inactive) as the SIMS account. Discrepancies will be listed on screen when the SIMS Sync is complete and may be resolved there.

You must nominate the Service Type used for alarm monitoring charges (this may mean configuring Smart so that alarm monitoring service codes are linked to the correct service type).

When to Sync

Depending on the size of your SIMS database and the speed of your equipment, the SIMS Sync can take an hour or two. If so, you'll probably want to run it when the workstation is not being used, perhaps at the end of the day.

If possible, run the Sync daily (or more often if large numbers of accounts are being added to or changed in the SIMS database). This will remove the need for operators to manually add SIMS accounts details to the Smart database, and ensure maximum accuracy.

Resolving the Sync

After the sync, the list of SIMS accounts (first tab) displays the results. You may have to select the correct Alarm Company to see the accounts. 

You can sort the list by SIMS account number or SIMS account name, and search for an account by keying in the number or name respectively. You can also choose to view all accounts or only those with specified sync problems, by selecting from the Status box at right.

To resolve sync problems, double click on the account, or right click and choose  View/Resolve Sync Details. In the screen which appears you can select from these options:

  • Exclude from synchronisation. This account will be excluded from future synchronisation. You can change this setting by selecting 'All Accounts' in the list of accounts and then double clicking to display this screen or right clicking and choosing 'Include'.
  • Select Existing Customer. An existing Smart customer will be linked to the SIMS account. A pick list of customers will appear.
  • Add SIMS Account as Customer. A new Smart customer will be created with the same details as the SIMS account. If there is an existing customer with the same account number, this customer will be selected instead of adding a new one. The Customer Details window will open so that you can make any changes. Press OK to save the changes.
  • Select Existing Location. An existing Smart location will be linked to the SIMS account. A pick list of locations will appear.
  • Add SIMS Account as Location. A new Smart location will be created with the same details as the SIMS account. If there is an existing location with the same site code as the SIMS account number, this location will be selected instead of adding a new one. The Location Details window will open so that you can make any changes. Press OK to save the changes.
  • Periodic Charge Details. This button will be available if you check the 'Check Periodics' box in the SIMS setting tab. If you click the Details button, a Periodic Charge will be created if it does not exist, and the Periodic Charge details window will be displayed.

Viewing SIMS details

In the list of accounts, right click and select View SIMS Details to see the details which are currently stored in SIMS.

Tracking changes

You can view a list of changes which have been made in this and previous SIMS syncs by

  • right clicking on a SIMS account and selecting View Change History, or
  • printing a list of accounts and accepting the option to 'Show History' in the window which appears.

Printing the list of accounts

Press the Print button below the list of accounts to preview and/or print the list of accounts, including details of issues requiring resolution.  The same filter will apply to the printed list as applies to the list on screen.

© Skorpion Pty Ltd 2007