RISC Analysis Data Box Quick Start



How Mode toggles work:
----------------------
Click this button a few times.

The toggle simply cycles through different instructions.
(We use them because they save screen space).

In the same way, the 'Scroll Header' button at the top of this page cycles through 'Scroll Header' and 'Fixed Header'.

(Fixed Header keeps the Input Area/Panels Area image (above) at the top of the page while scrolling).



Input Area
----------

All input is via the input area.

The input area accepts 4 to 9 Digits or Characters representing FCs, CCIN, MTs, PN/FRUs, MT-MD, etc. 

For inputs of 7, 8 or 9 characters (PNs, MT-MD, MT-FC), RISC DataBox can auto determine the type of input.

For example if the input is 7x characters PN (00DE749) or MTMD (9080MHE), the system can tell the difference between a PN and MTMD.  (MTMDs can be input as 9080MHE or 9080-MHE)



Input Area Mode Toggles
-----------------------

FC Mode Toggle  (Important)

Because an input request just using 4x Characters could represent a FC, MT, or CC, we use a Mode Toggle to allow the user to specify if the input should be checked against FC, MT, or CCIN.

Each click of the FC Mode button will cycle through FC, MT, CC.

Note for FCs:
-------------
Internally, FCs are assigned a leading MT prefix as follows

AS/400 or iSeries        : 940x
RS/6000, pSeries, Power  : 701x
All other Peripheral MTs : Machine Number (nnnn)

FCs can be entered using just the 4x chr FC number.  If multiples exist, a list will displayed in the List Panel (shown below).

For example, entering 5740 in FC Mode will open the list Panel displaying
701x-5740, 7314-5740, and 940x-5740.  The correct FC can then be chosen from the lsit.

Alternately, entering 701x-5740 directly in the input box will return the specified item directly.

Data Mode/PNs Mode Toggle  (Important)

Let us assume you entered 9080-M9S and clicked goGo.

We don't know if you want PNs or Description Data.

This is why we need this toggle.

If the toggle is set to Data, a data description panel will be populated.
If the toggle is set to PNs, the PNs Panel will be be populated.

Note, if you enter a PN/FRU as the search item, both the FC Mode and Data Mode toggle settings are irrelevant.

This is because we use string pattern matching to determine that the input is a PN, so any valid output is automatically sent to the PNs Panel.

For these Mode Toggles, the things to remember are this.

The FC/MT/CC Mode toggle only applies if the input is 4x Characters or Digits.

The Data Mode/PNs Mode toggle does not apply if the search request is for a PN/FRU.



Panels Area
-----------

Data is returned via Panels.

Clicking the Panel Specific Button will open or focus the panel if it contains data.
(note: panel button colors match the panel border colors).

List Panel
Anything representing more than one item.

SAP Panel
Stand Alone Panel - used to isolate content.

PNs Panel
Type of List Panel used for PNs only.

Group Panel
Used for grouped items - Not yet implemented.

QLU Panel
Quick Look Up Panel.

Links Panel
Used for link items - Not yet implemented.

Member Panels
An array of panels for associated items.



Panels Concept
--------------

Panels are Moveable and Re-Sizable

  (List Panel image with move/size info)



List Panel  (refer to above image)

Generally, if the input is likely to return more than one item, (for example inputting 9080 in MT Mode), the List Panel is opened.

This allows for selecting specific items from the list.

In the above image we requested 5740 while in FC Mode.

Clicking an item link in the List Panel will open the appropriate PNs or Data Panel.



SAP Panel (Stand Alone Panel)

  (Stand Alone Panel image)

The Stand Alone Panel allows FC or MTMD data to be sent to a separate panel.

This is for when doing side by side comparisons on data (see below).

It is controlled by the SAP On/Off Mode Toggle


For Public Access users, MT-MD or FC Descriptions are always delivered via the SAP Panel only (SAP On)

For subscribed users, MT-MD or FC Descriptions are generally delivered via the orange colored Member Panels (see below) unless SAP is On.



PNs Panel

  (PNs Panel image)

Note: the PNs Panel is available for subscribed users only.

The PNs Panel is populated if:
 The input refers to a PN.
 The input refers to a FC, MT, CC and the Data/PNs Mode toggle is set to PNs.



Member Panels

  (Member Panels image)

Note: Member Panels are available for subscribed users only.

Member Panels are based on the notion that any request in Data Mode for a FC or MTMD will have related information (Description, PNs, List Price, FC to Model).

Since these are 'members' of the initially requested item, we pre-populate dedicated buttons in the upper panels area.


To prevent the Member Panels being populated, toggle SAP Off to SAP On and this will direct output to the SAP Panel.

The advantage of using 'member panels' means that one can compare two different items at the same time.



Example #1: Compare PNs (FC #EN0Y and FC #EN0B)
-----------------------------------------------

1. Set the Data Mode/PNs Mode Toggle to PNs Mode
2. Enter EN0B and Click Go
   The PNs Panel is populated with FC #EN0B PNs

3. Set the Data Mode/PNs Mode Toggle to Data Mode
4. Enter EN0Y and click Go
   The Member Panels are now populated with #EN0Y

5. Click the Orange 701X-EN0Y PNs Button (in the Member Panels area).
  
At this stage, the PNs Panel is populated with #EN0B PNs and the 
Member PNs Panel is populated with #EN0Y PNs.

Move and re-size each of the panels to allow side by side comparison.

Image: Example Side by Side PN Panels



Example #2:  Compare Description Data (FC #EN0X and FC #EN0Y)
-------------------------------------------------------------

1. Set SAP On, and Data/PNs Mode to Data
2. Enter EN0Y and Click Go
   The Stand Alone Panel is populated with FC #EN0Y Description Data

2. Turn SAP Off, enter EN0X and Click Go
   The 701X-EN0X Data Description Members Panel (orange border) is now populated with #EN0X
 
Move and re-size each of the panels to allow side by side comparison.

Image: Example Side by Side Data Panels



QLU (Quick Look-Up) Panel
-------------------------


The QLU Panel allows access to Quick FC and Quick MT.

Quick MT displays Main Systems by Processor Type (Power8, Power9 etc.)

Quick FC displays FCs grouped by  Numeric FC or by Alphabetic I/O Type. 



History Buttons
---------------

Applies to History, Back and Fwd Buttons.

Our code returns data from the server in a manner which optimizes speed and populates individual panels on the fly.

For this reason, using your browser's Back and Forward controls will not take you back to previously displayed panel.

Clicking History will display a list of previously searched items, with the option to clear individual items from the list.

Alternately, use the green Back and Fwd buttons in DataBox to navigate. 



...


About RISC Analysis DataBox


RISC Analysis DataBox is the on-line version of our Windows Desktop program.

As such, it is designed as a Multi-Platform, Multi O/S, Multi Device Web App.

What this means

You can use it on PCs, Laptops, Macs, Linux Systems, iPads, iPhones, Android Devices etc., all without needing to download a platform or device specific app.

All you need is a browser which fully supports html-5, and fully implements current javascript.

This is just about every modern browser, with the exceptions of Microsoft Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge (the Microsoft version of Edge).

Important Note regarding Microsoft Edge:
In December 2018 Microsoft announced they were abandoning the MS version Edge in favor of a new version based on the open source Chromium Browser.

The new version of Edge is known as 'Edge-Chrome' or 'Edge On Chromium'.  This version is supported by RISC DataBox.

Although it looks and feels a lot like Google Chrome, it is different.

At this time (July 2019) Microsoft have not announced a release date - although the dev/beta version is available from Microsoft at 
https://www.microsoftedgeinsider.com/en-us/download/



Why do we need RISC DataBox?

Simple.  A few years ago, Microsoft let it be known that in the next few years, so called Win32 apps would no longer be allowed on Windows.

All apps will have to be sourced via the Microsoft Store, and be based upon UWP (Universal Windows Platform).  This is unacceptable to us on several levels.

Several other platforms now exist.  This means that maintaining a dedicated Microsoft platform is less and less practical.  So too is the practicality of developing dedicated apps for every O/S and device platform.  

For us, it makes far more sense to create something which is O/S and platform independent.


Drawbacks?

Yes.  Biggest one is that you will need an internet connection.

Is this a real concern?  Probably not for 99% of the time for most clients - although the 1% it may affect are important too.


What's the bottom line?

It comes down to this.

We will continue to support the desktop version for as long as is practical.  But the day of change is coming.

We strongly encourage all clients to at least familiarize themselves with the functionality and concepts used by RISC DataBox.

We use intelligent search algorithms, cutting edge javascript, and non mainstream concepts - just like we did back in 94 when we first started this project.

Fear of change should never be a reason to ignore it.

To quote an old Chinese saying, "He who senses the wind of change should not build a windbreak, he should build a windmill".

RISC DataBox is our version of building a windmill.

It is not yet perfect, but we can only improve it with sufficient feedback.