Background

The Network Study Option provides a structured handling of all data and configuration information, across multiple workstations, for a given study.  In most cases, workstations are divided into two groups, acquisition workstations and post workstations.  In a typical scenario, acquisitions are performed and the data can then be synchronized across a network to post workstations for additional processing and reporting of the data.

Two levels of synchronization are available within Study, Synchronize Study Data and Synchronize Entire Study.  The Synchronize Study Data will synchronize data that is contained within the SQL database.  This includes Run information, Derived Data, Data Reduction, and so forth.  The Synchronize Entire Study will include the information previously described as well as the data files generated in acquisition.  This includes RAW, Review, Event, and Excel files that are created and placed in the Study folder.

Symptom

When acquisitions are performed, the Protocol file (.PRO), Amp file (.AMP), and MDB file (.MDB files are generated with the OpenART acquisition interface only) are created and placed in the study folder along with the RAW, Review, Event, and Excel files. However, when performing a Synchronize Entire Study, the Protocol, Amp, and MDB files are not copied to the system performing the sync like the other files.  It is important to note that these files are saved within the SQL database but are not easily accessible without a SQL tool to extract them.

Resolution

If it is desired to have these files easily accessible along with the other files generated during acquisition for purposes of archiving, a second step can be taken to copy the Protocol, Amp, and MDB files. Using Data Manager, select the Protocol file (Amp and MDB) and copy to the desired location.  It is recommended to use Data Manager as systems using the Study Protocol Option often use the Data Security Option which allows the system to be GLP capable.  Signature files (.SIG) are created by the Data Security Option but are not typically visible to Windows Users.  Data Manager ensures that these files will be copied along with the protocol and amp files. Again, these files are synchronized along with the other acquisition files but are contained within the SQL database and not copied to the study folder.