InterTrace- System description
The InterTrace system, implemented in Microsoft SQL Serverâ, is comprised of two parts:
- The Database, located on a central server, stores the data in a series of registers more...
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The Client Program is the interface between the users and the central database more...
Data management and reporting: The Client Program provides the user with a comprehensive range of data entry, editing and reporting facilities more....
Data security: InterTrace maintains a comprehensive record of all data entry and editing more....
Application and users: InterTrace has a growing range of users and applications more...
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
The InterTrace Database:
The database is implemented in Microsoft SQL Server. It includes:
Premises register recording details of all premises where animals are kept, e.g. farms, abattoirs, quarantines etc. User-defined variables can be created to record additional details for each type of premises. The system can record user-defined events such as inspections, disease incidents, and herd tests at premises level. Events may be records of actual events, or scheduled events to assist in work planning and programme management.
Producers register holding data on persons or firms legally responsible for livestock. One or more producer can be associated with each premises, and each producer may be associated with any number of premises.
Animals register recording details of animals of any species, including their complete movement history. Lists can be produced showing all animals present at specified premises between specified dates, and all animals registered to specified producer(s) irrespective of the premises at which they are kept. The parentage and offspring of animals is recorded to an unlimited number of generations.
User-defined events can be recorded or scheduled to maintain official health records for each animal. Additional facilities for breed societies and production recording agencies allow the recording of lactation data, individual milk tests, services, linear assessments, etc.
InterTrace can record batches of animals (e.g. a litter of pigs, a lamb crop or a batch of hatching eggs) as well as individuals. Batches can be split into sub-batches which can then be recorded independently of each other. A sub-batch inherits the movement and event history of its parent batch(es). Up to ten generations of split batches is currently supported, and batches can be split to individual animals if required (e.g. for carcass classification data). If animal products derived from animal batches are marked with the final sub-batch code, the product can be traced back through all movements to the first registration of the original parent batch.
The InterTrace Client Program:
The InterTrace Client Program, an application written in Microsoft Visual Studio, provides user access to information in the database. It currently requires network access to the database server through Local Area Network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) or dial-in access through the public telephone system. The same client program is used by all users, but their level of access to the data is controlled by permissions related to their database user names. The system of permissions is under constant development driven by the requirements of users to restrict access to particular types of data.
Various Web-based clients are under development to allow public access to certain information. Records of individual premises or producers are only accessible under password protection.
InterTrace Facilities
The InterTrace client program provides a comprehensive range of facilities for data management and reporting. The level of access of each database user is controlled by a system of permissions, which allows for a wide range of users without compromising data integrity and confidentiality.
In addition to a wide range of standard lists and reports, user-defined documents can be produced. These consist of a rich text format (rtf) template document edited with a word processor. The template document can be formatted to include different fonts, graphics and data fields. When the document is printed InterTrace data is used to replace data fields defined in the template document. These data fields can include user-defined variables. In this way, it is possible to produce customised documents such as animal passports, movement permits, registration certificates, licences and circular letters.
Movement control defines zones for each species. Movement restrictions can be defined for movements within and between zones as “prohibited”, “under permit”, “notifiable” or “unrestricted”. Movement permits and records are controlled by these restrictions.
InterTrace Security and Audit
All tables in the database include columns to record the date and time of last update, the user responsible and the workstation used. Where a record is ‘deleted’, the record is actually retained in the database, but the date and time of deletion, the user and the workstation are recorded. This system only records the most recent change to each record, but by examining backup copies it is possible to track earlier changes.
All connections to the database are recorded in a table including the date and time of connection, the date and time of disconnection, the user and the workstation.
For most installations, the only access to the SQL Server database is through the client program. This provides the essential database management services, such as backup and restore. However, system owners can be given SQL Server logins providing administrator access to the database using the Microsoft SQL Server client tools, such as Enterprise Manager and Query Analyzer.
InterAgri, School of Agriculture, Policy & Development, Earley
Gate, Reading RG6 6AR, United Kingdom
Telephone: 0118
9264888 Fax:
0118 9262431
Email:
info@interagri.org