System Configuration

There are a variety of configuration activities that do not fit neatly into any of the modules. For the most part, these are not every-day actions for users. These are types of configuration that are likely to be set up as part of database initialization, and are modified infrequently thereafter. The sections covered in the System Configuration Chapter are as follows:

  • Application Security. Configuring and managing Security Roles, Access Roles, and Action Roles to authorize users to be able to do the things they need to do and to be able to work with the data they are authorized to view and/or modify. Application Security is accessed using the Manage Security option on the System Menu.
  • System Settings. There are a wide variety of system settings that control everything from the default length of a forecast to the color of a line. These are accessed through the System Settings on the System Menu.
  • Manage Tasks. Tasks are configured actions that can be executed manually or scheduled to be executed automatically. This functionality is accessed through Manage Tasks the on the System Menu.
  • Manage Alerts. Alerts are configured to detect calculation exceptions, configuration problems, and data flow problems. This functionality is accessed through the Manage Alerts option on the System Menu.
  • Email Notifications. Email notifications are configured to be triggered by events that generate error messages or warnings or alert conditions. This functionality is accessed through the Configure Email Notification option on the System Menu.

Application Security

MetrixIDR Security allows administrative users to create Roles and assign groups of users to each Role. Each Role that is defined is mapped to an Action Role and an Access Role. Action Roles are then used to determine whether users are allowed to take specific types of actions, like adding or deleting a Meter. Access Roles are used to determine whether users can see or modify specific data elements. The Manage Security option is on the System Menu. Details for this area are available in the Manage Security section of the System Configuration section.

System Settings

System settings are managed through the System Settings option on the System Menu. Selecting this option provides access to the System Parameters. These parameters include items such as the number of lag days, degree day cut points, event log days to keep, and gas day parameters. The System Parameters apply to all users of the system and should be modified with care. Details on the parameters are provided in the System Settings located in the Menu Commands, System Menu section.

Manage Tasks

Tasks in MetrixIDR are sets of instructions to execute a list of actions in a specified order. Tasks details are stored in the system database in XML format. The open the Manage Tasks window, select the Manage Tasks option from the System Menu.

The Manage Tasks opens a separate window which may remain opened while the client application is open. The window has its own menu and toolbar, and supports functionality to Add, Delete, Edit, Enable, and Run Tasks. The top part of the window provides two lists of tasks accessed through tabs:

  • Scheduled Tasks. Tasks that have been scheduled to run.
  • Saved Tasks. Tasks that have been saved but have not been scheduled to run.

The Manage Tasks window also controls the assignment of application Servers for task execution and sets the priority order for servers. Details about Tasks and the Manage Tasks dialog are provided in the Manage Tasks section of the System Configuration section.

Manage Alerts

The Manage Alerts dialog allows the user to set up alerts for various system conditions. There are a variety of alert types designed for data status and system conditions. Details on Alerts are provided in Manage Alerts located in the Menu Commands, System Menu section.

Email Notifications

Email Notifications is available based on Task execution status or on Alert conditions. The Configure Email Notification dialog is located in the Menu Commands, System Menu section. This dialog allows authorized users to Add, Delete, and Edit notification settings. Notifications can be triggered by MetrixIDR activity, MetrixIDR Services, or Forecast Monitor, and can be set to report Errors, Warnings, Informational messages, Configuration Changes, or Alerts. Email address are configured in the database for individual users.