Pocket ESA has been designed to minimize
the amount of time required to generate a Phase I ESA report while
maximizing user flexibility when generating the final report. The
program is used to collect answers to pre-designed questions. These
answers are then merged with a report template and a standard report is
generated for the Phase I ESA. The merging process allows the user to
insert different responses and paragraphs into the report depending upon
how a question is answered. Data collection can be performed either with a
Pocket PC or laptop.
Pocket
ESA Description
Pocket ESA has been designed to minimize
the amount of time required to generate a Phase I ESA report while
maximizing user flexibility when generating the final report. The process
has been divided into four steps. The first two steps only need to be
performed once for each type of questionnaire and report. The last two
steps are performed for each Phase I ESA. These four steps are briefly
outlined below:
1: Report Template
Step one is to create a report
template using Microsoft Word. This template is later merged with the
specific responses of a Phase I ESA to create the final report. The
template is a generic version of the final report and contains keywords
where the specific answers to the questionnaire are to be merged into the
report. These keywords are highlighted in the report template using a
unique style created for the Pocket ESA program.
The answers to be merged into
the report are not necessarily the direct answers to the questions, but
are the text responses associated with the answer.
2: The Questionnaire
Step two involves creating a questionnaire used to collect the Phase I ESA
data. Afterwards, the questionnaire can be downloaded to the Pocket
PC or used directly on the desktop.
Questionnaires are divided into sections and subsections which can contain
any number of questions. For every question a question type is selected.
The question type determines the format of the question and allowable
answers that are used to collect the data. There are numerous question
types that can be selected. After the question type has been selected and
the question entered, the text associated with each allowable response is
entered. This is the text that will actually be merged into the final
report.
3: Entering Phase I ESA Data
Using the questionnaire
created in step 2, the user can now used to collect the Phase I ESA data
in the field. The data for a Phase I ESA is collected by answering each of
the questions in the questionnaire. The form type and allowable answers
for each question are specified when the questionnaire is created. Data is
saved automatically as it is entered.
4: Merge Data with the Report Template
The final step is to create a final report by merging the data collected
on the Pocket PC or desktop with the report template. During the merging
process the keywords in the report template are replaced by the text
associated with each of the answers to the questions.
After the Phase I ESA data has been merged a final report will be created
in Microsoft Word format. This report can then be edited in Word.
Back
to Page Content
Project
Features
Pocket
ESA is based upon the project concept for data storage, wherein the
user has a number of projects, each containing a number of Phase I ESAs.
Using this method, a Microsoft Access database is used to store each
project. Individual projects are stored in a separate directory, which can
either reside on a single computer or spread across a network. A
master database is used to keep track of projects and their locations.
This database also stores data (such as questionnaires and text
macros) common to all projects.
The
creation and editing of projects is supported by the following features:
-
Access
database management system.
-
Master
project database tracks projects over a network.
-
Separate
toolbar for project functions only.
-
Unlimited
number of projects.
-
New projects
can be easily created.
-
Project
directories are automatically created.
-
Existing
projects can be opened and closed using toolbar and menu commands.
-
Projects can
be deleted, including project directories.
-
Projects not
in master database can be imported into master database.
-
Projects
can be exported to be used on a different computer.
-
Phase
I ESAs can be uploaded from the Pocket PC one at a time or an
entire project at a time.
Back to Page
Content
Report
Template Features
Step one is to create a report
template using Microsoft Word. This template is later merged with the
specific responses of a Phase I ESA to create the final report. The
template is a generic version of the final report and contains keywords
where the specific answers to the questionnaire are to be merged into the
report. These keywords are highlighted in the report template using a
unique style created for the Pocket ESA program.
The answers to be merged into
the report are not necessarily the direct answers to the questions, but
are the text responses associated with the answer.
For example, if the answer to the question “Are there any ACMs
suspected?” is “No” the text merged into the final report is not
necessarily “No” but could be a paragraph of text that has been
associated with this response; such as, “There are no asbestos
containing materials suspected on the subject property.” This response
can be further edited on the desktop prior to being merged.
The creation and editing of report templates
is supported by the following features:
-
Templates
are created and edited in Microsoft Word.
-
Unlimited
number of questionnaires.
-
Each
questionnaire has one report template.
-
Report
templates can be used by more than one questionnaire.
-
Report
templates can be created from an existing report.
-
Unlimited
number of keywords in a report template.
-
Keywords can
be replaced only once or throughout the report.
-
The Phase I
ESA style can be customized in preferences.
-
An appendix
can be added to the report template that will only contain the
questions and their direct answers.
Back
to Page Content
Questionnaire
Features
After
the report template has been created the next step is to create a
questionnaire that is used to collect the Phase I ESA data. This
questionnaire will assign a keyword specified in the report template to
each question. The text associated with the answer to that question will
then replace the keyword when the actual Phase I ESA data is merged to
create a final report.
For every question a question type is selected. The question type
determines the format of the question and allowable answers that are used
to collect the data. After the question type has been selected and the
question entered, the text associated with each allowable response is
entered. This is the text that will actually be merged into the final
report.
The creation and editing of questionnaires is
supported by the following features:
-
Questionnaires
stored in a Microsoft Access database.
-
Unlimited
number of questionnaires.
-
Each
questionnaire has one report template.
-
Unlimited number of
sections and subsections.
-
Unlimited number of
questions.
-
Each
question has a question type assigned that determines the types of
allowable responses.
-
There are
several questions types.
-
Questionnaires can be
downloaded to the Pocket PC or used directly on the desktop.
-
Questionnaires can be
imported and exported for use on other computers.
Back to Page
Content
Data
Collection Features
After
a questionnaire has been created, Phase I ESA data can be collected on
either the desktop or Pocket PC. All Phase I ESA data is organized into
Projects. Before the data for a Phase I ESA can be entered, either a new
project must be created or an existing project opened. The created or opened
project is then referred to as the current project. After the project has
been opened, the new Phase I ESA can be created.
The creation and editing of Phase I ESAs is supported
by the following features:
-
Projects
can contain an unlimited number of Phase I ESAs.
-
All
Phase I ESAs are stored in the project database in Microsoft Access
database format on the desktop and binary format on the Pocket PC.
-
Phase I ESA
data can be entered on the Pocket PC or desktop..
-
Data entered
on the Pocket PC can be uploaded and edited on the desktop.
-
Phase I ESA data is
saved automatically as it is entered on the Pocket PC.
-
Text macros
can be created on the desktop and used on the Pocket PC to rapidly
enter common text answers; such as, asbestos materials, drainage, site
descriptions, storage tank contents, etc..
Back to Page
Content
Merge
Features
After
the Phase I ESA data has been collected on the Pocket PC or desktop, it
can be merged with the report template to create the final report.
During the merging process keywords in the report template are
replaced by text associated with each answer to Phase I
ESA questions. This last step in the process is performed on the desktop
version of the program.
When the merging is complete a final report will be created in Microsoft
Word format. This report can then be edited in Word to include the
information regarding the records reviews and interviews.
The merging of Phase I ESAs is supported by the following features:
-
One
or all of the Phase I ESAs in a project can be merged.
-
There is
an option to merge only the questions and answers without the
report template. This can be used to create an appendix of the
Phase I results.
-
Merged
report can be immediately opened in Word.
Back to Page
Content
Pocket ESA has been
designed to run on a variety of pocket computers. Below are the software
and hardware requirements for the program.
Software
Requirements
On the Pocket PC:
On the desktop:
Hardware
Requirements
On the Pocket PC:
On the desktop
Back to Page
Content
check out 
