MET/CAL® Resources

MET/CAL® delivers automated calibration that is both easy and powerful

Fast and repeatable calibration With self-documenting procedures, operators complete all tests and collect the appropriate data the same way every time. Plain language messages and graphics guide technicians through each step. These tools simplify operation and help the technician perform complex calibrations such as on RF generators or spectrum analyzers. Monitor test results in a pop-up window, with color coding to indicate passed, marginal, or failed tests. MET/CAL captures complete calibration results. When the procedure is complete, results are saved to the database, where you can review them on screen or print a certificate or report. MET/CAL has built-in support for more than 70 different calibration standards. Full storage of calibration data A MET/CAL calibration record documents calibration status, history, adequacy, test details and traceability for all the test and measurement instruments you manage. Rich reporting capabilities MET/CAL includes a wide range of reports, prepared with the included Crystal Reports Professional. Reports can be modified to create your own custom reports. MET/CAL fits easily into your quality system. Powerful measurement uncertainty tools provide operators with complete control over the uncertainty calculation. And MET/CAL also finishes the paperwork, adding a new calibration record, which includes a list of the standards used, plus details of each individual test. This makes passing audits virtually automatic. Choose from a large procedure library or write your own Write your own procedures using the MET/CAL colorized text editor, which uses a special calibration procedure language. Procedures for simple devices like DMM’s, gauges, and mechanical tools are easy to create and may be generated by the Fluke AutoPro utility. Procedures for more complex items, such as spectrum analyzers and signal generators, can use a rich set of statements and functions that give the procedure writer complete control of the calibration process.

Manage metrology assets the easy way with MET/TRACK®

Reporting to meet a wide range of requirements For fast ad-hoc reports, MET/TRACK includes the Quick Report Builder. MET/CAL Plus also offers a variety of standard reports prepared with Crystal Reports Professional. Crystal Reports provides the power to create professional custom reports, lists, and labels. Its graphical user interface makes it easy to use, and its powerful query tools quickly find meaningful data. Data integrity you can count on To ensure that information is entered correctly every time, MET/TRACK offers two types of data validation, where you can set up drop-down lists or “choice lists” to ensure that critical data is always entered consistently. To make data entry even faster and more accurate, you can link key fields on MET/TRACK forms so that selecting an item in one field causes other fields on the form to populate automatically. For example, selecting “87” in the model field might set the manufacturer’s field to “Fluke” and the description field to “DMM.” Unmatched security Five levels of security, from “read only” to “system manager,” ensure that only authorized users gain access to your data. Additional security features include establishing expiring passwords and minimum password lengths. Virtually any type of instrument – electrical, mechanical or dimensional – can be managed with MET/TRACK, even if it doesn’t require calibration. And, whether the calibration interval is measured in days, weeks, months, even use cycles, you can count on MET/TRACK to keep you up to date.

MET/CAL® Plus Software Service Pack 3

MET/CAL Version 7.2 enhancement MET/CAL® Plus Service Pack 3 addresses expanded workload, and adds new procedures and enhancements. We also have made significant code enhancements that will allow us to add future new features and modifications more quickly. Broader instrument support Comprehensive set of procedures included Enhanced flexible standards New Microsoft® Windows installer Improved reports customization Additional math functionality Multiple aliases Test Step 2 result quantity override

MET/CAL® Plus - Why Upgrade?

MET/CAL has evolved over the years to incorporate new features and support for both new and older calibrators and standards. Most improvements are made in response to requests from the MET/CAL user community. Fluke regularly hosts User's Group meetings throughout the world, where we listen to our customers and use their input to provide what they say they want. Upgrading to the latest version of MET/CAL can provide you with many valuable benefits. New features, yet backward compatible New MET/CAL features are provided to users through software version upgrades. Fluke knows that customers have invested time and money in developing MET/CAL calibration procedures over many years. Therefore, the latest versions of MET/CAL can still execute procedures written with the very first MET/CAL release. New warranted MET/CAL procedures Fluke is continuously creating more calibration procedures for MET/CAL. As each new version of MET/CAL is released, the newest features make procedures easier and more efficient to write. Unfortunately, procedures written with newer versions of MET/CAL may not run on older versions, which do not support the new capabilities. This leaves MET/CAL users of old versions unable to use newly written and supported procedures from Fluke. Instead, they must write their own as new assets are added to their workloads. Training based on latest version Fluke offers scheduled training for MET/CAL in the USA, Europe and other selected countries. Training is provided on the currently shipping version of MET/CAL. While much of the information provided is applicable to older versions, the new features are stressed, which will make it difficult for students to apply the knowledge they have gained if they are working with an older version of MET/CAL. Knowledgeable technical support Fluke maintains a support group to help customers who have technical questions about MET/CAL. The support group can provide maximum help on the currently shipping version of MET/CAL, because that's the software they have access to daily. Support for the immediately previous version is also very good, but for older software, answering support questions becomes difficult. Sometimes, problems in older versions have been solved in the latest MET/CAL, so the support group will advise the customer to upgrade. Current Fluke licensed products MET/CAL includes a database from Sybase and Crystal Reports Professional from Business Objects. These products are being upgraded continuously through new version releases. MET/CAL Plus ships with the latest version of these products that is practical and consistent with MET/CAL's own release schedule. Older MET/CAL systems may be using versions of Sybase and Crystal that are no longer being supported and maintained by their creators. Keeping up-to-date with MET/CAL releases assures that the complete product can be supported. Modern system compatibility Over the years, operating systems from Microsoft, as well as computer hardware, have improved. Sometimes these infrastructure improvements might render an older version of MET/CAL inoperative, or cause errors that are addressed in the latest MET/CAL. Using old versions of MET/CAL may lock you into using obsolete hardware or a very dated and unsupported operating system.

How to Upgrade from Previous Versions of MET/CAL®

From version 6.11A. To upgrade to MET/CAL Plus 7.3 from version 6.11A, new licenses are required. Acquire an upgrade to the MET/BASE package, and then acquire the license upgrades you need. You will be asked to provide the serial number for your existing software licenses. You are recommended to contact Fluke MET/SUPPORT (metsupport@fluke.com) to get assistance with the upgrade. From pre-version 6.11A. MET/CAL Plus customers using versions prior to 6.11A will need to acquire a new, complete MET/CAL Plus 7.3 product, including a new MET/BASE and appropriate new MET/CAL, 5500/CAL or MET/TRACK licenses. MET/SUPPORT Gold customers with an active contract on the date that the next MET/CAL version is released will receive a free upgrade to that version of MET/CAL Plus (only applicable to version 6.11A and above).

What's new in Version 7.2?

What’s new in MET/CAL Plus V7.2? MET/CAL Plus software release 7.2 adds new instruments that can be automated, new procedures (especially RF calibration procedures), and these exciting new features: Flexible standards, which allow you to write procedures, enabling substitution of equivalent standards - you’re no longer locked to a specific reference model. Pack/Unpack utility, which makes it easier to transport procedure files between MET/CAL systems. …and more Broader instrument support Version 7.2 allows MET/CAL Plus to address an expanded workload, particularly in the area of RF calibration. New Function Select Codes (FSCs) are now available to support these instruments: New Fluke 9640A RF Reference Source New Agilent N5531S Measuring Receiver Agilent PSA Spectrum Analyzer - traditional spectrum analysis and phase noise functions Agilent 5350, 5351 and 5352 Microwave Counters New 8845A and 8846A 6.5 Digit Precision Multimeters New Fluke 5320A Multifunction Electrical Tester Calibrator Fluke PM6690 Counter/Timer/Analyzer

What’s New in Version 7.3?

Support for the new modern Windows® platforms, latest version of Crystal Reports, broader instrument support, and more In this latest release of Fluke MET/CAL Plus Calibration Management Software, the Sybase SQL Anywhere database has been upgraded to version 11, enabling MET/CAL calibration software to support the Microsoft Windows® Vista operating system, Windows 7 operating system and Windows Server 2008, including the 64-bit variants. Additional new features: Broader instrument support Crystal Reports 2008 Improvements to MET/TRACK® Asset Management Software …and more

What’s New in Version 7.3 Service Pack 1?

Service Pack 1 provides expanded instrument support, and various enhancements and corrections for MET/CAL® and MET/TRACK®. Additional new features: Broader instrument support 5080A Megohm Meter Calibration Option 5080A Oscilloscope Calibration Option 5522A Multi-Product Calibrator 9640A-LPNX RF Reference Source 9640A 9600FC Frequency Counter Option New version of Quick Sort Improvements in label printing with the latest version of Crystal Reports …and more To find out more about MET/CAL Plus Software Version 7.3 Service Pack 1, download the MET/CAL 7.3 Service Pack 1 Read me Guide.

Concurrent licenses explained

When MET/CAL Plus is installed on a network, it uses a concurrent license management process to manage access to various applications. A concurrent license is one where the software is installed on many machines, but is licensed to run only on a specific number of those machines at any given time. When a user begins to run a MET/CAL Plus application, it checks with the server to see that there is an “open” license available for use. If all licenses are in use, the application stops and reports this information to the user.