Buttons

Action performed

Close

Closes the form without saving changes. If changes were made will warn that they need to be saved.

Save Configurations

Applies the changes that were made. These changes will not apply until the next time you open Linko.

Add New

Under each Tab in Samples and Results Admin, you add a member to that Table Listing by using Add New.

Details

Under each Tab in Samples and Results Admin, you edit / modify a member of that Table Listing by using Details.

Tabs

Description

Parameters

Add or modify the Parameters that are being reviewed by your POTW.  Modify TRC Value, add valid Lab Analysis Methods for each parameter, identify proper preservation methods, Sort Order and others by using the Details button. 

Note:  If a user tries to change the name of a Parameter, Linko will check and see if that Parameter is in use in Limits, Results, etc.  If the Parameter is in use, Linko will prompt the user to that affect and ask the user if they want to continue with changing the parameter’s name.

It would be advisable to make a note of what it discovers. It will then update the name throughout the software.

Collection Methods

Add or modify collection methods being used by your POTW.

Update “System Collection Method” for the Collection Methods for use with the Sample Scheduling and Reporting.

See the section on configuring Sampling Schedules.

Units

Required units for this parameter.  Note: for the software to calculate compliance, Units have to match between the compliance limit and the result.

Sampling Scheduling Types

Who is scheduled to take the sample?  Most often it is the Industry or Authority.

Laboratories

A listing of the different labs that might be doing the testing.  Used in the Chain of Custody add-on module and this tab is only available when the COC / Sampling Assistant module is enabled.

Lab Fees

Used to configure fee structures for Group sampling or individual parameter sampling. Used in conjunction with the Sampling Assistant Module to make reports that show the costs of the sampling.

Analysis Methods

A list of approved and standardized methods for laboratory analysis associated with a parameter.

Configurations

Local Configurations

For This User Only

Results

Use Fast Result Data Entry Screen?

When selected, Parameter Results can be entered directly in the Results Management List screen in addition to using the Results Details. Linko recommends selecting YES.

Warn When Invalid Analysis Method Chosen?

When entering an Analysis Method for a Parameter in Results Management, should Linko warn the user when the method they entered is not listed as a valid Analysis method for that parameter?

Warn if Daily Result Exceeds Monthly Limit?

When entering a Parameter in Results Management, should Linko warn the user if the concentration result exceeds the Monthly Average Limit?

Prompt for ‘NA’ Result Defaults on New Samples?

When this configuration is selected, all fields that have the “Prompt for Defaults” column checked in the Results Management Config screen are displayed in the Enter Default Results screen. 

This screen appears when entering the Results Management screen for any new sample.  The user has the ability to enter the information that should be “defaulted” into each parameter result with a value of “NA”.  The same affect is created by clicking the “Apply Default” button in the Results Details.

Allow Delete ‘Na’ in Result Groups

When using Result Groups in Groups and Queries, the user can use this configuration to select whether the “Delete Records with NA Results” control is shown or not.

Auto-Add ‘NA’ to New Sample Results?

When in Results Management screen and starting to add a new sample, do you want a list of the monitoring point parameters to be automatically displayed? Yes, No and Ask.  Selecting either Yes or Ask will cause the Enter Default Results screen to be displayed if the “Prompt for ‘NA’ Result Defaults on New Samples?” is checked.

Create Result Limit Violations?

When users enter results that are over the compliance limit, the software can either automatically create violations or ask the user if he/she wants to create the violations.  Users can select yes or no at that point.

Create Hold Time Violations?

When entering results data manually, and a hold time is exceeded, how do you want Violations created? Selections are:  Automatically, Prompt User, Never. 

Invalid hold times are determined by comparing the Lab Analysis Date to either the End Date Sampled or Start Date Sampled entered on the Result Management screen.   (as configured in “Base Hold Time Calculations On” configuration)

If the difference in days exceeds the Hold Time entered for the parameter in the Parameter Table Listing under Samples and Results Administration, then the user will be prompted based on this setting.

Create Collect Method Violations?

When entering results data manually, and an improper Collection Method is entered, how do you want to Violations created? Selections are:  Automatically, Prompt User, Never.

Improper Collection Methods are determined by comparing the Collect Method assigned in the Monitoring Points for each parameter as compared to the Collection Method entered in the Result Management screen.  If the two do not match, then the user will be prompted based on this setting.

Samples

Use Fast Sample Data Entry Screen?

When selected, Samples can be entered directly in the Sample Management List screen in addition to using the Samples Details. Linko recommends setting this to Yes.

Auto-Check ‘COC Filed’ When Result NA’s Gone?

“COC filed” has the same significance as saying “All Results Entered.”  This setting controls the behavior of the “COC Filed” field on the Sample Management list view.

If this is selected to be auto completed, once results are entered on the Results form and no NAs exist as values, Linko will automatically change the “COC filed” field on the Samples Screen to YES. Users will not be able to change the COC filed box on the Samples Screen.

Otherwise if the Auto Check COC filed is not checked in the system administration, uses will be able to check the COC filed box on the samples screen at their discretion and Linko will not automatically set it to YES.

Auto-Fill Sample Name on New Samples?

On the Sample Management and the Sample Details screen, when the user fills in the Sample Date, and Monitoring point, our system will automatically fill in the sample name. 

Show all Samples in Sample Averages?

If you set this to Yes, then even if you have already used a Sample in a Sample Average on the Samples Management screen, you can use the same sample again in another average.

Use as Sample Violation Date?

LinkoFOG can automatically create a violation for parameter non-compliance.  What date should it use as the Non-Compliance date of the Violation? Choices are the Sample Date or Today’s Date.

Global Configurations

For All Users

Parameter Result Compliance

Exceeds Daily Limit Flag

The symbol (or flag) that appears when a result exceeds the daily limit.  The default flag is D.  To use a different daily flag, type a new one.

Exceeds Local Limit Flag

When Local Limits are enabled, this is the symbol (or flag) that appears when a result exceeds the Daily Local Limit. The default flag is L. To use a different Daily Local Limit flag, type in a new one here.

Compliance Asst. – Exceeds Monthly Limit Flag

The flag that appears for monthly averages that exceed the monthly limits. The default flag is M.  To use a different monthly flag, type a new one.

Compliance Asst. – Exceeds 4 Day Average Limit Flag

The flag for violations on 4-Day Average limits.  The default flag is F.  To use a different 4-Day flag, type a new one.

Compliance Asst. – Exceeds TRC Limit

Flag for samples that exceed the Technical Review Criteria. The default flag is T. To use a different TRC flag, type a new one.

Compliance Asst. – Exceeds TRC 33 %

Flag for SNC Summary parameters that are TRC and > 33%. The default flag is ***.  To use a different TRCSNC flag, type a new one.

Compliance Asst. – Exceeds Chronic 66%

Flag for SNC Summary parameters that are chronic. The default flag is +++.  Type a new flag if desired.

Improper Collection Method Used Flag

The flag for samples that were collected with a different method than what is set in the monitoring point for that parameters. Default flag is C. To use a different one, type a new one.

Hold Time Exceeded Flag

The flag for samples that exceed the recommended hold time for the testing method.  The default flag is H. To use a different flag, type a new one.

Non-Detect (ND) Multiplier

Multiplication factor used to calculate Adjusted Results and averages when Concentrations are < or ND.

Create Sample Schedule From

When creating a new Samples requirements schedule, this date is used as the beginning of the calendar for making the schedule.

Forecast Sample Schedule (Months)

When creating and maintaining a Samples requirements schedule, this value sets how many months into the future to schedule.

Base Hold Times Calculations on:

What date should be used for determining Hold Time Exceedances? Choices are: Start Date Sampled or End Date Sampled.

Use Results exceeding Hold Times in Compliance?

When entering data in Results, if the Result exceeds the hold time, should it still be marked for use in Compliance, Yes or No?

4 Day Average Start Date

Do you want your 4 day average to begin at a different time then the selected reporting period in the compliance assistant?   Simply add that start date here.  This start date is used in the Compliance Assistant.

Use this Format for Avg. Decimal Places

When Linko calculates Sample Averages, Monthly Averages, 4 Day Averages, or Significant Digit Mass Results, how many decimal places should be used in the final values.

Calculate Compliance Using:

What Result Date should be used for Gathering and Calculating Parameter Compliance in Compliance Assistant? Choices are End Date Sampled or Start Date Sampled.

SNC: Both  EPA and Local Limit Exceeds as:

This setting affects the SNC reports in Compliance Assistant. When Local Limits are enabled, and a Result exceeds both the Categorical / EPA limit and the Local Limit, should Compliance Assistant count it as “One Violation” or as “Two Violations”?

Mass Base Loading Calculations

This section is not available if MASS is not enabled.

Use ‘<’ sign for Mass Results on Conc. ND?

If a Mass Result is calculated on a concentration Result of ND or <#, should a ‘<’ sign be placed in front of the Mass Result?

Calculate Mass Using Significant Digits?

Use significant digit calculations when calculating Mass Results?  If ‘No’, then basic rounding is applied based on Decimal Places above.

Treat Flow Digits for Sig Math as:

This selection is only available when the “Use Significant Digits” is set to YES. Allows users to select how Linko will treat the FLOW digits. Selections are:  Assume all flow digits are significant digits, Include Flow when determining mass significant digits, or Ignore Flow when determining mass significant digits.

Mass Base – Pounds Conversion Factor

Allows the user to customize what value to use for the Pounds / day factor in mass calculations.

Buttons

Action performed

New

Create a new Lab Fee structure.

Edit

Edit an existing Lab Fee.

Save

When finished creating or editing click to save your changes.

Close

Closes the form to return to the Samples and Results Administration screen.

Cancel

Stop the editing you are doing without saving any changes.

Delete

Delete the selected Lab Fee.

New / Edit

Click to add a new or edit an existing Parameter listed in the Lab Fee.

Load Parameters

This will load ALL the parameters that are listed in the Linko Parameters tab in Samples and Results Administration.

Copy Lab Fees

If you have another similar Lab Fee already set up you can copy the lab fees from that one and use it to start another.

Done / Cancel

Click on Done when you have finished entering the Parameter information. Click on Cancel to exit the Parameter input or edit mode without saving changes.

Delete

Remove the highlighted Parameter from the listing.

Lab Code

Use the dropdown listing to select which of the Laboratories the Lab Fee Schedule will be for.

Date Effective

Each Lab Fee is applied to samples in its date range. The Date Effective is the first date of the range of samples it will be applied to.

Date Retired

When you no longer use a Lab Fee use the Date Retired to close out the date range the Lab Fee was used for.

Invoice by Group

Click in this box to make Lab Group, Group Fee and Alternate Desc become available. Then make a Group of Parameters with one Lab Fee for the group.

Lab Group

Type in or choose from the DropDown the name of the group of parameters.

Group Fee

How much does the lab charge to process the parameters tested in this group.

Alternate Desc

Additional information to describe what is being tested in the group of parameters.