RailTrak 2000 Version 10 Release

Version 10.08.01 has been released to the web on August 15, 2007. This version allows multiple user accounts. It also makes use of Microsoft Replication so that record input can be done by two different users on two different computers, each user sharing input with the other.

RailTrak 2000 now makes use of Microsoft SyncToy to perform backups and restoration of data. SyncToy is available for download from the Railtrak.com Downloads page.

We've tried to make the screens in RailTrak 2000 a little more appealing visually. We still have more work to be done and will keep you posted when more updates are available.

Data Required to Generate Appeal Document

The following additional fields should be completed so that an Appeal Document can be generated:

Claim is for - this field represents a very brief description of claim

Claim Code - used to link to Statement of Facts and Position Statements - helps to look up saved information

Claim Status - used to determine what type of document will be built

Statement of Facts

Position Statement - Not required for a Conference Claim document

Reference Type - tells database how you are referencing claim to Carrier

Reference Number - specific number for the Reference Type specified above

Appeal Addressed To - Carrier Officer that appeal is addressed to

When was Appeal Sent - this date field is the date of the appeal document

If you try to view or print an appeal document and get an error message, you have likely left out one of the above fields.

Entering a New Claim Record

These are the fields that are required for a new claim record to be saved successfully:

Employee - Last Name, First Name are displayed - however record stores Employee ID Number

LC File - This is a strict numeric number. The next number is automatically entered when you enter it's first digit.

Date of Claim - This is the date of claim occurrence

Local Number - Entered automatically from employee profile

Payroll or SSN - Entered automatically from employee profile

Grouper

Grouper is a new Windows based application that allows users to share their personal media within private groups. Grouper uses P2P technology connecting you directly to your friends’ hard drives where you can share large files in a safe, encrypted environment. Grouper is a simple install and requires no firewall reconfiguration.

I am a Grouper user and use it to connect directly to the folder on a RailTrak 2000 User's computer in which the application is installed. This allows me to make updates directly to the User's computer as well as to more easily diagnose issues with the User's data.

If you are interested in using Grouper, I ask that you share your C:\Program Files\Railtrak folder with me. This will not allow me to view any other files on your PC other than the RailTrak 2000 files.

Latest Updates

Version 9.03.01 has been uploaded to the RailTrak 2000 web site. It includes a change to the new UTO Logo so that it displays better for those users needing the UP Form 10. It also brings back the Scheduler Screens. Other minor fixes and enhancements have been incorporated into this release. Please feel free to download from the Downloads page. Please note that this update incorporates the new subscription service for RailTrak 2000. If you upgrade and are told that your subscription will or has expired, please notify me immediately so that I can correct that for you.

Welcome

Hello Everyone. I've decided it is about time to use a weblog as a way to communicate to new and potential users of RailTrak 2000. This will be a forum that I will watch in which anyone can post comments or questions about the program and it's use. Anyone can answer someone else's question, but I'll try to watch this each day for new posts and answer them the best I can.

If used properly, this should prove to be a positive learning tool for users of RailTrak 2000. It will also be used by me to try to incorporate feedback into future revisions of the software.

Please join in the discussion. The topics should primarily center around the use of RailTrak 2000, but other comments to our roles as Union Officers and rail workers are welcome as well.

Erik Cross
Developer