Services / Systems / Test Data Collection
The MicroMac Test Data Collection and Analysis system posts test data from XML files to an Oracle database. The results are stored in a generalised table structure, which enables the data to be handled and analysed in a consistent way.

The MicroMac Test Data Collection system is based on an XML test results file, which has a number of advantages over traditional delimited file formats. The contents of an XML test results file are self-describing and can be viewed directly in Internet Explorer; it is easy to check the basic integrity of the file and parse the results; and the extensible nature of XML means that changes can be easily made to the file format without breaking the data collection program.

Results files are generated by test station software and posted to a designated collection directory on a Windows server. The Test Data Collection program scans the collection directory and processes each of the results files in turn. The frequency of the collection runs and the number of files processed in a run can be controlled through a script or through an operating system scheduling program.

The Test Data Collection program validates the structure and contents of each results file. If the validation checks are successful the results are posted to an Oracle database, and the XML file generated by the test station is copied to a returns directory for archiving. If the results file fails the validation checks, the rejected file is E-Mailed to the person who is responsible for the related test area.

The Oracle tables contain information about the test plan for a unit, as well as characteristics about the individual tests. The structure of the tables allows tests to be stored in a consistent way in the database, even though the tests may have different features. This flexibility in the storage of the test data greatly simplifies the organisation and analysis of the test results.

The Test Data Collection system provides a web-based interface for updating reference tables, for making controlled updates to parts of the test results data, and also for displaying fully qualified test results sheets. The web-based interface provides a hierarchical view of the results from the level of the test specification, through test episode down to individual runs.

The Test Data Collection Analysis module assists in querying and analysying the test data from the Oracle database. The application provides flexible selection parameters, pareto failure analysis, the analysis of results for individual paragraphs and yield reports. The application uses a third-party component to produce interactive graphs, and provides the ability to print or export the dataset for analysis using other tools.

Screen Shots

Pareto Analysis

Paragraph Analysis