Computer Lab Manual

This manual should help you understand the purpose and use of the Computer Lab Plug-in software with AccuTrack/AccuSQL.

Installing the Computer Lab Plugin

Locate your copy of the Computer Lab Plug-in Installer. Typically this comes in an email message with a link to a digital download or on a USB key sent from your purchase of the Computer Lab Plug-in software from Engineerica. You will need to have purchased this add-on or be a current subscriber and have this installer available before attempting to install the Computer Lab Plug-in. If you have questions about purchasing or licensing please contact our sales team.
  1. Start by opening the media drive with the AccuTrack/AccuSQL installers and opening the “CompLab20XX_Dist” or “CompLabSQL20XX_Dist” folder (the “XX” part of the name will be the year of the software you are installing such as 2018, 2019, 2020, etc.).
  2. Now that you have that folder open run the “setup.exe” located in that folder.
  3. Click Next and accept the license agreement. Then click Next again.
  4. Leave the default install path and click Next.
  5. Click Yes on the Windows Security prompt (if asked).
  6. Finally, click the Finish button to launch the Computer Lab for the first time.
If you have AccuSQL you may want to first read the next article and uncheck the “Launch the Program” option so you can first install the SQL native connectivity client.
If you left the “Launch the Program” option checked this will now open to a sample database but follow this guide to Set the database to your database and local lab (center) setup.

Installing the SQL Native Connectivity Client (if using AccuSQL)

This section will explain how to quickly install the proper SQL Native Connectivity Client for your version of SQL Server.

  1. From your computer right-click on the AccuSQL or AccuTrack shortcut and select the “Open File Location” option. This will open the install directory for AccuSQL or AccuTrack (typically located in “C:/Program Files(x86)/AccuSQL20XX” file folder with XX representing the year such as 2018, 2019, 2020, etc.)
  2. Once you have that location open in your File Explorer window look folder called SQL_Drivers and open it.
  3. Determine which version you need to install for your SQL Server using the folder names and open it:
    • 2005-SQLNativeClient = SQL Server 2005 or SQL Server Express 2005 or newer
    • 2008-SQLNativeClient = SQL Server 2008 or SQL Server Express 2008 or newer
    • 2012-SQLNativeClient = SQL Server 2012 or SQL Server Express 2012 or newer
    • SQLite = Only used if using iAccu for AccuTrack.
  4. Now that you have opened the correct folder then simply run the correct installer for your Windows version/type:
    • sqlncli.msi - Use this if the Operating system installed on this machine is 32-bit.
    • sqlncli_x64.msi - (Most Common) Use this if the Operating system installed on this machine is 64-bit.
      Note: Use this guide if you are not sure if the PC is 32-bit or 64-bit.
  5. Finally, follow through the steps of the installer using all the default settings to complete this install.

Set the Data Path Location and the Local Lab (Center)

In this guide, you'll learn how to set the Database Location for the Computer Lab Plugin as well as how to set the software to its proper Local Lab/Center.

Set the Database Location

  1. Start by opening the Computer Lab Plug-in on the Lab Computer. If you are continuing from the installation it should be open now.
  2. Now login to the Computer Lab Plug-in using the default User ID and password of:
    • Default User ID: 111-11-1111
    • Default Password: NEW
  3. Once you successfully login as an Admin you'll see this screen and will now click the Database Location button to connect to your database.
  4. On the next screen choose the database type:
    • Native: Use this option if connecting to an AccuTrack database (folder path).
    • SQL: Use this option if connecting to an AccuSQL database (SQL Server database connection).
  5. Depending on the choice set the database path information following one of these examples:
    • Native: Set the Data Folder Path to the AccuTrack database location (folder path).
    • SQL: Set the options to the AccuSQL database location (SQL Server database connection information).
  6. Click the Save button to save these changes and exit the software. When you reopen it the software will be set to the proper database.

Set the Local Lab / Center

You must have the database location set before you can set the Local Lab/Center in AccuTrack/AccuSQL. If you are still connected to a sample database then only those Local Labs/Centers will be shown.
If you are not using Local Labs or using this software in a Single Center environment then you may be able to skip this step. Realize that it will be using the DEFAULT Lab and will show up as blank or unspecified on reports.
  1. Start by opening the Computer Lab Plug-in on the Lab Computer. If you are continuing from the installation it should be open now.
  2. Now login to the Computer Lab Plug-in by using your Admin User ID and password.
  3. Once logged into the program click on the Lab ID button in the middle of the System Admin screen.
  4. In the Change to dropdown box select your Local Lab/Center name.
  5. Finally, click the Save button and confirm the pop-up to save the changes.
  6. Done! Now simply click the Return to Sign-in Screen button to allow students to start signing into the Computer Lab Plug-in!

The Computer Lab settings in AccuTrack or AccuSQL

The Computer Lab Plug-in client that gets installed on each computer in your Computer Labs does not have the management settings for the software. Instead that is located in the main ccuTrack or AccuSQL software so that Admins can manage them. This means this next section would be accessed from an admin computer running Accutrack or AccuSQL itself and not the Computer Lab PC's.

  1. To begin login as an admin to your AccuTrack/AccuSQL software.
  2. Now from the System Administration screen click on the Add-ons > Setup section.
  3. From there you should already be on the Computer Lab Plug-in section but if need click on that section on the left-side navigation.
  4. Now set each of the following sections how you would like to run your computer lab:
These settings are able to be customized per Local Lab/Center so you can change the settings for each one to be different.

Sample Student Sign-in and using the Computer Lab Plug-in

This is what it looks like when a student sign-in occurs using the Computer Lab Plug-in.

  1. A student types in their ID number.
  2. The student selects why they are using the computer.
  3. The student confirms the pop-up to report the visit to their instructor.
  4. The student now uses the computer with a logout option in the top right.
  5. When they are done using the computer they simply click the Sign-out button.
  6. A message will appear showing the time they were logged into the computer.

Communication with Students using the Computer Lab Plug-in

In this section, we'll see how a Lab Assistant could use AccuPager to answer any questions students may have while using the Computer Lab.

While the Student is signed into a computer using the Computer Lab Plug-in they will have a control box that is placed in the top-left or top-right corner of the screen. This option is shown in the Sign-in process in the previous section above and here again below. The Student can now either Sign-out when they are done using the lab computer or Page Lab Assistant for help.

If you would like to watch a video presentation on Computer Lab Communications then please click here.

Usign AccuPager as a Lab Assistant

You must have AccuSQL or AccuTrack installed on your computer and be connected to the same database as the Computer Lab PCs to utilize this option.

Follow these steps as a Lab Assistant to be available to help the Student:

  1. From your computer right-click on the AccuSQL or AccuTrack shortcut and select the “Open File Location” option. This will open the install directory for AccuSQL or AccuTrack (typically located in “C:/Program Files(x86)/AccuSQL20XX” file folder with XX representing the year such as 2018, 2019, 2020, etc.)
  2. Once you have that location open in your File Explorer window look for a utility called AccuPager.exe and double-click on it to run the application.
  3. You will be asked to enter the name you want Students to see on the Page Lab Assistant button. Click OK when done.
  4. From there the AccuPager application will be located in the lower-right app tray of your Windows OS. You can now click on the (Student's hand raised) icon and select the “Who Paged Me?” option.

    Note: You will also be available for Student's pages until you Exit this application.
  5. Now you should see a list of messages sent while you were logged on as a Lab Assistant.
Note: When a student pages you it will be shown in the lower-right as a Windows notification

Using the Page Lab Assistant feature as a Student

Follow these steps to get help as a Student while using the Computer Lab:

  1. Once you are logged into the Computer Lab you will have a Control Panel that looks like this in the top-left or top-right corner of the computer screen. Now click the Page Lab Assistant button.
  2. Select a Lab Assistant to notify.
  3. Enter the question you want to ask them and click the OK button.
  4. Done! Click OK to clear the confirmation message or do nothing and the Lab Assistant will respond to your notification as soon as possible.

View the Status of Lab Computers

In this section we'll show you the various ways to see how full a computer lab is currently.

Viewing Computer Lab Status in AccuTrack/AccuSQL

You must have AccuSQL or AccuTrack installed on your computer and be connected to the same database as the Computer Lab PCs to utilize this option.
  1. Log in to AccuTrack or AccuSQL with your Admin or Tutor login credentials.
    Note: If you are only a Tutor role then you may not have access to view this information and your Admin may need to expand the permissions given to the Tutor role.
  2. When you get to the System Administration screen click on the Add-ons module on the left-side navigation and then the Computer Lab Status button.
  3. This next screen will show you the User, Computer Name, Location, and how long the computer has been used for those computers in use. It also will display how many computers are currently available. You can right-click on the grid to get several filter options such as to show a view for specific locations, etc.
Note: Additionally for troubleshooting purposes we display if the computer is a “Computer Lab Plug-in” computer or running the "AccuTrack/AccuSQL" application. This means you can also use this screen to find out what computers a particular Admin or Tutor is currently logged into and using the AccuTrack/AccuSQL application.

Viewing Computer Lab Status in Web Gateway

Web Gateway is another Add-on that must be purchased from Engineerica, installed, and hosted on an IIS7 or greater Windows Server prior to being able to view the Computer Lab Status online. If you have questions about purchasing please contact our sales team or if you have technical questions about Web Gateway then click here to learn more.

If you have Web Gateway MVC set up for your Students to be able to make appointments, sign-up for seminars, complete surveys, etc. online then there's a new feature we added to this application in 2019 which is the ability to see what Computer Lab computers are available now! Realize in this example the software can be customized with your school's logo, information, and colors. Follow these steps below to see the Computer Lab Status as a Student in our Web Gateway MVC application:

  1. Select the Lab or Center you want to view the Computer Lab Status for in the Web Gateway MVC application.
  2. Log in to the Web Gateway MVC application as a Student using your User ID and Password.

    Note: Single Sign-On options are available if you prefer the students to not have to remember another password.
  3. Now you click the Computer Lab Status link/button on the list of options.
  4. Finally you'll see a list of the names and number of computers available in the lab. If there are not that many available then I may want to check later when there are more available computers.

Back to Computer Lab Guides