Coffey Geosciences - QESTLab Office Administrator Training Course
The laboratory supervisor training course provides detailed instructions for the duties normally performed by laboratory supervisors and data entry personnel. It covers sample registration, billing, checking data input, test report signing and distribution. It also covers the duties of laboratory technicians - finding work to be done and entering raw test data.
Audience
The course is intended for staff at Coffey Geotechnical who normally perform the tasks of sample registration, billing, checking results, and signing and distributing test reports. This may vary depending on staffing arrangements at each laboratory and may include both laboratory supervisors and data entry personnel.
Pre-requisites
The course assumes a good knowledge of the various Australian and Road Authority standards for the sampling and testing of concrete, aggregates/soils and asphalt.
It also assumes general computer skills and familiarity with Windows operating systems.
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Course Structure
This training guide covers five modules:
- Getting Started with QESTLab
- Concrete Testing
- Soil Field Testing
- Other Soil/Aggregate and Asphalt Testing
- Billing ad Invoicing
Throughout the course there are activities (
) that you should complete to reinforce what you have learnt.
After completing the course this guide is intended to be used as a reference for the use of the QESTLab and should be considered a user guide taylored to the 'Laboratory Supervisor' role.
More user information for the QESTLab product can be found at http://online.spectraqest.com
All content and images (c) 2000-2006 Spectra Quality Engineering Software Tools. The information contained herein can not be reproduced, copied, altered or distributed to a third party without the explicit written consent of Spectra Quality Engineering Software Tools Pty Ltd.
GETTING STARTED WITH QESTLAB
This module covers the process of starting and logging on to QESTLab, and a description of the main screen in QESTLab.
By the end of this module users will be able to start and log on to QESTLab, change their password, have an understanding of the main screen in QESTLab, and use the QESTLab tree to navigate the main areas of QESTLab.
Suggested duration: 15 minutes
Connecting to the Server
The QESTLab application runs on servers in the Coffey Sydney office. You will be provided with a shortcut on your desktop that is used to connect to these machines.
Once you have connected to these machines and logged into Windows you can start the QESTLab.
Logging in to QESTLab
Step 1. To start QESTLab double click the QESTLab Client icon
on the desktop.
Step 2. When QESTLab has loaded the QESTLab log in screen will appear. Enter your QESTLab login name and password provided to you by your QESTLab administrator.
The first-time password that is generated by the system by default is "QEST_password" (minus the quotes). You will be prompted to change this when you access QESTLab for the first time.
Changing your password
The first time you log in to QESTLab change your password to something known only to you.
Step 1. With QESTLab running click the Security menu then select Change Password.
Step 2. In the Old Password field type your current password.
In the New Password field type your new password. Re-enter your new password in the Confirm Password field.
Step 3. Click OK to save your new password.
Logging out
Logout and change user
It is possible to log a different user in to QESTLab without shutting down QESTLab and restarting.
Step 1. With QESTLab running click the Security menu then click Logout.
Step 2. To login another QESTLab user, click the Security menu then click Login.
The new user can then enter their username and password as normal.
NOTE:
1. If you are logged on and the computer that you are running QESTLab on is unattended then there is the possibilty that another person may use the computer to carry out work under your name. When not using QESTLab it is recommended that you either Logout off QESTLab or lock the computer.
2. While you are logged in the Audit Trail keeps a log of every action you make in QESTLab. This is a security feature that enables the tracking of every change made to every field in QESTLab. For this reason you must only work in QESTLab when logged on using your own account.
Close QESTLab
To close QESTLab down on your computer click the File menu then click Exit, or click on the X button in the top right corner of the QESTLab screen
QESTLab operates like Windows Explorer. There is a left hand and a right hand window. Navigation in QESTLab is done using the tree in the left hand window.
The QESTLab tree
Notice the names of the nodes in the tree. Each node allows the user to manage a different area in QESTLab. For example, the Samples node is used to register samples in QESTLab.
The QESTLab tree will look different for users with different levels of permissions in QESTLab. If a user does not have access to a particular area in QESTLab, that node will not be displayed in the tree. For example, if you do not have rights to modify clients in QESTLab you will not see the clients node in the tree. The image below shows all the possible nodes in the QESTLab tree.
Below is a brief description of the different areas in the tree.
| Clients | Users with sufficient rights may add, remove and maintain details for all your customers in this area. |
| Projects | Add, remove and maintain the list of projects your organisation is working on. |
| Work Orders | Work orders are a convenient way to register a group of samples. They are similar to a test request. Select the work orders node to register and search for work orders. |
| Samples | Individual samples are registered and displayed under the samples node. Select the samples node to register or search for samples. |
| Tests/Documents | Select the tests/documents node to search for tests, test reports, or documents other than work orders or samples. Expand this node to see the filters that can be used to search for various documents in QESTLab. |
| Billing | When invoices are raised they are displayed under the billing node. |
| Equipment | Equipment is registered in QESTLab and displayed under the equipment node. Expand the equipment node to see the different types of equipment that can be registered in QESTLab. |
| Lists | QESTLab lists allow you to maintain lists of commonly used items, such as concrete plants, aggregate/soil materials, tester names, and many others. This makes data entry faster and simpler. Lists are displayed and maintained under the lists node. |
| Reports and Charts | This area is used to create and run reports and charts for quality control or other management functions. |
| Specification | Specifications are used to set acceptable limits for test results. They are created and maintained under the specifications node. |
The QESTLab tree can be hidden by clicking on the Show/Hide Tree button 
in the toolbar.
Laboratories
The Lab dropdown box above the tree shows the labs to which you have access.
The global lab
Most users will have access to only one laboratory. In this case you will see this lab plus the (global) lab. The global lab contains data (generally clients, plus other data) that needs to be available to all labs.
Note that if you change the lab selected in the Lab dropdown box the tree will change. If you notice that the tree looks unfamiliar or nodes are missing check that you have your lab selected and not the (global) lab.
Accessing more than one lab
If you have been granted rights to more than one laboratory you will see these labs in the Lab dropdown box. Select a laboratory to restrict the data shown in QESTLab to that lab. (all) will also be shown in the laboratory list. Selecting a lab of (all) simply displays information for all laboratories that the user has access to.
Notice that if all laboratories is chosen, then the tree will group items by laboratory, as shown below for the Lists.
This functionality can be turned off by clicking the Show/hide lab nodes button 
on the toolbar. If this is de-selected then information is not grouped by laboratory.
Filters
Filters are a way of searching for documents in QESTLab, such as samples, test reports, or invoices. Filters are displayed in the left hand window underneath the QESTLab tree. Filters are included with QESTLab and new ones may be created as required by your QESTLab administrator.
Since different filters are used to search for different things, notice that a different filter appears in the filters area depending on which node is selected in the QESTLab tree.
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