Copitrak Interface Program
Version 1.5

Overview

The COPITRAK program is a DOS program. It is used to transfer copier expense transactions from a Copitrak 2 unit and then convert the transactions to be compatible with the Tabs3 Merge Data Capture Transactions program. The COPITRAK program must reside in the same directory as the Tabs3 programs in order to work properly (requires TABS Version 3.2 or later). The communications portion of the program assumes that the Copitrak 2 communication output parameters (6-A) are as follows:

 
      Parameter       Response

         6            Y = EIA

                      N = Twisted pair (use this if you are using a differential line 
                          driver to poll multiple copitrak devices)

         7            U = 9600 baud

         8            Y = 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity

         9            N = no echo

         A            N = XON/XOFF not used

Note: The Create Validation Files program must be run before you can successfully use this data capture device interface program. The Create Validation Files program is found in Tabs3 by selecting the following menu options Maintenance|Integration|Create Validation Files. When creating validation files, select a Validation File Type of Data Capture Device.

Note: This DOS program cannot be run under a 64-bit operating system. Although it can be installed on a 64-bit server, it must be run from a non-64-bit workstation.

Installation

The Copitrak interface program (Copitrak.EXE) must be transferred to the directory on your hard disk where the Tabs3 program files reside. This is done by using the INSTALL program on the Copitrak interface program disk.

To install the Copitrak interface program on your hard disk:

  1. Insert the Copitrak interface program disk into your floppy disk drive.
  2. From a DOS prompt, make the floppy disk drive the default drive by entering the drive letter followed by a "colon". For example, if your floppy disk drive is drive A, then enter:

    3.         A:

  3. From the floppy disk drive prompt, enter the command:

    4.         INSTALL

    Note: The INSTALL program has a built-in search feature that will find where your Tabs3 program files reside. On larger network hard drives, this search feature can take quite a bit of time. If you know where the Tabs3 program files reside, you can bypass this search feature by entering the path following the install command. For example, if the Tabs3 program files reside on drive F: in a directory named "STI", you would enter: INSTALL F:\STI

  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the software onto your hard disk. The Install program will locate the Tabs3 software on your hard disk so that the interface program can be transferred to the same directory as Tabs3. After the installation process, the message "Installation Complete" will be displayed.

Executing the COPITRAK Interface Program

Use the following procedure for conversion:

  1. From a DOS prompt, start the interface program by entering: COPITRAK
  2. The first time you run the COPITRAK program, you will be asked to enter the Tabs3 transaction code number that you use for photocopy expense. Once you specify the transaction code number, the COPITRAK program will use that same number each time you run the COPITRAK program. POSTRAK disbursement function codes A-H can also be defined.
  3. Next, you will be asked to enter the COPITRAK ID code for the Copitrak device that you wish to poll. This allows you to capture data from specific Copitrak devices if you have more than one "daisy-chained" together.

    4. You should the see the message "COMMUNICATION...PLEASE WAIT" appear in the Copitrak device’s window display. If the letter "O" does not also appear in front of the word "COMMUNICATION" within 5 seconds, abort the COPITRAK program by depressing the ESC key and try again.

  4. When communications are established, the program will display the message "Copying Transactions" followed by a "." for each transaction read from the Copitrak device. The files T3EXPKEY.REM, T3EXP.REM and T3EDESC1.REM will be created which can be merged with the main Tabs3 data files. You must then start Tabs3 and run the Merge Data Capture Transactions program.

Important: If you did not elect to have the Copitrak Program delete the polled transactions, then you must, use the "DT" Copitrak function command to delete all transactions from the Copitrak’s memory. This is explained in your Copitrak Operating Instructions Manual. This will allow you to start recording new copier transactions without duplicating copier expense entries in your Tabs3 data files.



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