System Galaxy Version 8.3 Badging with Card Exchange Inside User Mini-Guide SG Badging w/ Card Exchange Inside User Mini Guide Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Therefore, no claims are made as to the accuracy or completeness of this document. NOTICE: this document is an addendum to the System Galaxy software manual that covers the initial programming installation and use of the Card Exchange software. Normal System Galaxy badging information is found in the SG 8.3 Software Manual. 2nd edition Nov 2010 Copyright 2009 Galaxy Control Systems All rights reserved No part of this document may be reproduced, copied, adapted, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written consent of Galaxy Control Systems. Copyright protection claims include all forms and matters of copyrighted material and information, including but not limited to, material generated from the software programs, which are displayed on the screen such as icons, look and feel, etc. Trademarks Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista, SQL Server are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Card Exchange and CEInside are registered trademarks of ExchangeIT in the Netherlands and/or other countries. Adobe, Acrobat are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Inc. This PDF is created with Adobe v6 or later. Graphics and illustrations by Candace Roberts, SQA & Technical Writer. Galaxy Control Systems 3 North Main Street Walkersville MD 21793 800.445.5560 www.galaxysys.com Page 2 of 25
Table of Contents SG Badging w/ Card Exchange Inside User Mini Guide Introduction to Badging with Card Exchange... 4 Notices for Card Exchange Inside of System Galaxy...4 Overall Requirements for Card Exchange:...5 Installing and Configuring the New Badging system:... 6 Registering System Galaxy for Badging...8 Setting Workstation Badging Options...9 Operating the Card Exchange Badging/Print Server... 10 Starting the Card Exchange Print Server...10 Stopping the Card Exchange Print Server...11 Showing the Card Exchange Print Server...11 Setting up the Badge Printer...12 Setting the Badge Printer Properties...13 Setting up the Photo Capture driver...14 Creating Badges with Card Exchange Manager... 15 STEP-1 Starting the Card Manager...15 STEP-2 Adding a Badge Design via Card Definition Wizard...16 SETTING THE DATABASE CONNECTION FILE...16 SETTING THE BADGE LAYOUT AND PRINT OPTIONS...17 STEP-3 Using the Badge Layout Designer (Layout Editor)...18 CREATING VARIABLES...19 ADDING A PHOTO FIELD TO A NEW CARD LAYOUT...20 STEP-4 Mapping Badge Objects to the SG Database (Mapping Editor)...21 USING THE MAPPING SCREEN (DESIGNER)...21 MAPPING A PHOTO OBJECT TO SYSGAL DATABASE...22 STEP-5 Using the Badge Designs in System Galaxy...23 IMPORTING BADGE DESIGNS INTO SYSTEM GALAXY...23 ASSIGNING A PHOTOGRAPH TO A CARDHOLDER...24 ASSIGNING A BADGE TEMPLATE TO A CARDHOLDER...25 Page 3 of 25
Introduction to Badging with Card Exchange System Galaxy offers a new card/badge interface built with CEInside (Card Exchange). System Galaxy has integrated the Card Exchange Badge Designer and Print Engine into the System Galaxy software. This manual covers the basics of installing, configuring, and using the new badging software. Notices for Card Exchange Inside of System Galaxy 1. This addendum is a companion to the System Galaxy Software Manual. This addendum covers the initial programming, installation, and use of the Card Exchange Inside software as it relates to integration with System Galaxy. The remainder of SG badging instructions is found in the SG 8.3 Software Manual. 2. For Help Instructions: Card Exchange has 2 Help Modules. These help modules explain the functionality of Card Designer and Print Engine in detail. Start > Programs > ExchangeIT > CardExchange > Card Exchange Designer Help Start > Programs > ExchangeIT > CardExchange > Card Exchange Help 3. For in-depth instructions about creating cardholders, creating cards, and related or other features, see the System Galaxy Software Manual. Page 4 of 25
Overall Requirements for Card Exchange: REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW INSTALLS: 1. You must install the System Galaxy client software on the badging workstation (Run part-3 of the GalSuite CD and choose an option that includes badging software). 2. You must install and properly configure the badging printer/driver on each badging workstation. It is possible to share the badging printer on a network. Follow the manufacturer s instructions for installing and sharing the printer as directed. o o o o The badge-printer options must be configured to support printing the type of cards you intend to use. The printer driver must be set up to support the features or specifications you are using. Always run a test print to confirm your printer is correctly connected and able to print. Galaxy sells and supports our badging interface with the MagicCard line of printers. Galaxy also supports printing with an array of leading badge printers. IMPORTANT: When planning a badging installation, you should verify that the printer supports the features you intend to use. Contact Galaxy Control Systems Technical Support if needed. 3. You must manually run the Card Exchange install.bat file on each Badging Workstation after completing the System Galaxy workstation installation. o o You must run the install.bat file found in C:\Program Files\System Galaxy\CEX\Install. IMPORTANT: Do not run the Card Exchange Setup file separately. The working directory for Card Exchange Badging is C:\System Galaxy Badging. This supports workstations using Vista operating system. 4. You must register each Galaxy Workstation for badging the options according to the customer purchase order. The database (system registration) must be completed first. The database and communication servers must be online and connected while registering a workstation. 5. The badging system (Workstation Options) must be set to Card Exchange (default) and the path to the photo images must be properly configured for each workstation. It is possible to use a network server for the badging photos, however you must use a UNC path name. 6. You should include any badging and photo folders/files as a part of the scheduled backup. NOTES ABOUT UPGRADES: For an existing System Galaxy 8 client being upgraded to a badging station: you will run the GalSuite database and software upgrades. Then follow the install instructions for a new badging install and install the badging printer. For any pre-existing SG Badging client that is already licensed for Epi-Builder software: you will upgrade the database and software for all clients. Since the customer is already registered for badging, they can keep using Epi-Builder system if they desire. The System Galaxy Software Install and Software User manuals cover Epi-Builder badging software. Galaxy supports Epi-Builder under a valid license agreement previously purchased. Page 5 of 25
Installing and Configuring the New Badging system: STEP ACTION 1 INSTALL SYSTEM GALAXY SOFTWARE You must correctly install all parts of the System Galaxy software (1, 2, and 3). Run Part 1 install prerequisite components ~ required Run Part 2 install SQL Components ~ required. If you are installing a workstation in a distributed network (i.e. separate database server), you will only install the SQL Native Client. WARNING: Before upgrading your database, you must back up your database and copy the database and log file to a safe location, Run Part 3 Installing System Galaxy ~ required for a client workstation that supports badging. Two choices are available: WARNING: Before upgrading your SG Software, you must back up your entire badging folder and any other system files. a) Option A is a complete install: this installs the System Galaxy software with Galaxy Services, and puts down badging components. You will only choose this if you are installing the Communication Server. b) Option B is a client-only workstation install: this installs System Galaxy software and puts down the components. 2 INSTALL THE BADGE PRINTER DRIVER Install the printer driver according to manufacturer s instructions. Perform a test print using the desired print settings to ensure you can print the cards you purchased. The printer driver must be installed on every badging workstation. 3 INSTALL CARD EXCHANGE INSIDE SOFTWARE AND TEMPLATES Go to C:\Program Files\System Galaxy\CEX\Install folder run the install file to install Card Exchange and badging folder. The Card Exchange (CEX) will install as follows: a) CEX software installs in C:\Program Files\System Galaxy\CEX folder b) The default templates are installed at the root of the C-drive (C:\System Galaxy Badging). Working templates will be stored in this folder. Page 6 of 25
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Registering System Galaxy for Badging You must perform the Registration according to purchase order. Registration is covered in detail in the Dealer Registration Guide and Chapter 5 of the SG Software User Guide. IMPORTANT: System Registration is done before the Workstation Registration. The system registration registers the database and extended features according to purchase agreement. IMPORTANT: the databases/database server, and communication server/core services must be running and online during system registration in order to get a valid registration code. SYSTEM REGISTRATION: At the Communication Server, start System Galaxy and logon as a master operator. Open the workstation registration screen from the Galaxy menu: Configure > Options >Registration >Registration Wizard (or System Registration). You must select the Card Exchange at the bottom of the screen for all new installs. Note: if you are registering for Web Client Badging you must select Card Exchange. WORKSTATION REGISTRATION: At the badging workstation PC, start System Galaxy and logon as with a master operator sign-on. Open the Workstation Registration screen from the Galaxy menu: Configure > Options >Registration >Local Workstation. Register the badging features according to the customer purchase agreement. If the main communication server will not host the badging station (typical), then do not register badging options at this computer. Page 8 of 25
Setting Workstation Badging Options The Workstation Options must be configured to use the correct Badging System and the path name for the photographs must be configured. At the badging workstation PC, open the Workstation Options screen from the Galaxy menu: Select Configure > Options > Workstation Options. Select the Badging Options tab. Card Exchange Inside should be the Badging System Type. Click the [Browse] button and choose C:\System Galaxy Badging folder at the root working drive. IMPORTANT > Windows-7 or Vista users: SG recommended practice is to back up all photos and system assets on a regular basis. All photos must be saved independent of Windows Login. This means photos must use a root folder as a common storage. Otherwise, the UAC will save photos in separate locations based on the Operator s windows logon. When photos are not stored in a single location and may not be backed up or appear to be missing when a different user is logged on. NOTE: SG creates a badging file structure for the photos in this default folder. Each photo folder holds 1000 photographs. Click OK to set the path, and click APPLY to save the configuration. Restart System Galaxy to initiate changes. Page 9 of 25
Operating the Card Exchange Badging/Print Server The card exchange print server and badging software is very simple to use. The following sections provide simple steps to starting and using the Print Server and Badge Designer software. Starting the Card Exchange Print Server You can start the Card Exchange software from the Windows Start menu: Go to Windows Start > Programs > ExchangeIT > Card Exchange > Card Exchange Print Server TIP: You can set up the Card Exchange software to automatically start when the computer starts by placing the Card Exchange Print Server in your Programs Start folder. a Windows operating shell opens when the print server starts up. The Card Exchange icon will display on the task tray (XP only) when you minimize the windows operating shell. Right-click on the server icon to get to the Card Exchange menu IMPORTANT: if your print server displays red text in the job log window, then you have opened the server twice. Close/exit any print server windows with red letters. Page 10 of 25
Stopping the Card Exchange Print Server Right-click on the server icon to get to the Card Exchange menu Choose Stop print server option from the context menu. IMPORTANT: it is not recommended to stop the print server while cards are printing. Showing the Card Exchange Print Server Right-click on the server icon to get to the Card Exchange menu Choose Show print server option from the context menu. The windows operating shell will re-open Page 11 of 25
Setting up the Badge Printer Right-click on the server icon to get to the Card Exchange menu Choose Configuration > Printer options from the context menu. The Printer Options window will open allowing you to choose your badging printer. NOTE: From this window, you can also set timing delays and Mag-encoder settings. Click OK to save settings. IMPORTANT: The badge printer driver must already be installed. Page 12 of 25
Setting the Badge Printer Properties Right-click on the server icon to get to the Card Exchange menu Choose Configuration > Printer properties from the context menu. The Printer Properties screen (for the printer you selected in the previous step) will open allowing you to set up your badging printer properties. Click OK to save settings. IMPORTANT: The badge printer must already been selected as the default printer. Page 13 of 25
Setting up the Photo Capture driver Right-click on the server icon to get to the Card Exchange menu Choose Configuration > Photo options from the context menu. The Photo Options window will open allowing you to choose your capture device. NOTE: from this window you can also set other related options. Click OK to save settings. IMPORTANT: The photo-capture driver must already be installed. Page 14 of 25
Creating Badges with Card Exchange Manager Card Exchange Manager is the badge designer. Some initial setup is required. STEP-1 Starting the Card Manager Right-click on the server icon to get to the Card Exchange menu Choose Configuration > Show card manager from the context menu. The Card-Definition Manager window will open allowing you to set up your badge design templates. You can change the order of the list using the move up and down buttons. You can edit an existing template or add a new badge design. You can check any template you want to show up in System Galaxy s badge design list. Unchecking a template will not delete it, but it will not be available in System Galaxy NOTE: there are 4 default templates in the list. These are checked by default and will show up in the System Galaxy software if you leave them checked. Page 15 of 25
STEP-2 Adding a Badge Design via Card Definition Wizard Start the Card Manager as described in the previous step. If the print server is not running on the icon you must start it from the Windows Start menu. Click [ADD] button on the Card-definition manager window to open the Card Definition Wizard window. SETTING THE DATABASE CONNECTION FILE The Database Connection File for the System Galaxy database is called SysGal Connection.dtd. This file should display by default If you need to change the connection values such as the name of the database or the login and password, etc., you can click the EDIT button. If you located your connection file elsewhere you can use the [ ] browse button to locate to the file. Page 16 of 25
SETTING THE BADGE LAYOUT AND PRINT OPTIONS You must type a name for your new badge template into the name field. Check only the options that apply to your card printing/printer setup. Uncheck those that do not apply. Enable printing (this should be checked) Enable magnetic encoding (only for mag-stripe) Print front (this should be checked) Print back (if you are printing the back) Print back first (if your printer setup requires this) Rotate front Rotate back Send to printer as a bitmap (file format.bmp) Click the [Create] button to open the designer. If you need to change the connection values such as the name of the database or the login and password, etc., you can click the EDIT button. If you located your connection file elsewhere you can use the [ ] browse button to locate to the file. Page 17 of 25
STEP-3 Using the Badge Layout Designer (Layout Editor) The badge layout screen has several menus, toolbars and panels to help you design a badge: 1. Menu bar (you can access the software help from here) 2. File toolbar, object toolbar, text format toolbar, layout toolbar 3. Tools bar (docked vertically on left side) 4. Card object tree panel (panel is docked on left next to the Tools bar) 5. Workspace pane (center where the card is displayed) 6. Variables panel and Functions panel (where user builds data fields for the card) 7. Context menus (you can reach the context menus by right-clicking on the objects on the card layout (workspace) or items listed in the card object tree. You must add objects to your badge template: these are created from one of two places. 1 & 2 the Tools panel: add static objects (static means not connected to the database field will not change dynamically will remain the same for all cards with this design (i.e. a background, a logo, lines or shapes, static text, etc.) the Variables panel: add dynamic objects (dynamic means the field is mapped to a database field will change dynamically based on individual cardholder data it will display in the designated position on all cards with this design (i.e. a last and first name, department, card ID, employee ID, etc.) IMPORTANT: you will decide which fields you need as dynamic fields. These fields will appear in the mapping tab after they are defined. You must have the correct connection file (set up in previous step) in order to link to the database fields you need. NOTE: enhance dynamic objects with operation you build from the functions panel 3 4 5 6 WARNING: if you close without saving your changes you will loose your intended settings. The confirmation dialog asks you if you want to CANCEL your changes when you close. If you click YES you will dump your changes. See the ExchangeIT Designer Help screens for details on how to create variables with the variable editor. Get to the help from the software menu or from the Windows Start menu >Start > Programs> ExchangIT >System Help Page 18 of 25
CREATING VARIABLES To create variables, you must open the Variable Editor. Click on the variable symbol on the top toolbar { or choose the Variable editor option from the Tools menu, or right click in the variables panel and select Edit variables from the context menu. The Variables Editor window will open. To add variables, you must create a category name first. click the Category button and type a name for the new category (in the example screen shot below 'Custom Variables' is the first category created). Once the category name is created, you can create a variable using the Variable button in the toolbar. you must type the variable name choosing a name that makes sense for the object it represents (i.e. 'Name', 'BarCode', etc.). Do not use spaces or special characters in the variable name. Save and close the variable editor and the new variables will display in the Variables panel Drag and drop your variables onto the card/badge template layout using the left mouse button. Your variable field is automatically added to the Card Object Tree when you drop it on the layout. You can rename your field in the object tree as desired. See ExchangeIT Designer Help screens for details on how to create variables with the variable editor. Get to the help from the software menu or from the Windows Start menu >Start > Programs> ExchangIT >System Help. Page 19 of 25
ADDING A PHOTO FIELD TO A NEW CARD LAYOUT To add a photo to your card layout, you must add the picture object to the layout and then map the object to photograph_filename field in SysGal database. Open your new card layout from the Card Definition window by right-clicking on the Card Exchange service on the PC system tray and select Configuration > Show Card Manager (See Step-1) Click ADD button from the Card-definition window to open a new blank card layout. (See Step-1) When the Card Manager opens, you will set the options as required for your printing needs including the database connection if needed. (See Step-2) Type a name in the Card Layout name field and click the CREATE button. (See Step-2) This opens the Card Layout editor. Click the PICTURE OBJECT tool on the Tools bar (left side of screen) then hover the mouse over the card layout and click on the location on the workspace where you want to place the photo. Click the OK button to add the field to the Card Layout and Card Object Tree. You can browse to a default image you want to print on cards when a photograph is not available. Clicking the open folder button will allow you to add an image. Once the picture object is added to the Card Layout, it is also added to the Card Object Tree. TIP: You can change the object name in the tree to Photo by selecting the image and F2 key. Click the SAVE button on the toolbar to save your changes before closing the designer window! Click the NEXT button in the Card manager to advance to the MAPPING tab. Page 20 of 25
STEP-4 Mapping Badge Objects to the SG Database (Mapping Editor) USING THE MAPPING SCREEN (DESIGNER) The Mapping tab is visible after you have added the dynamic fields and saved your card out. Each dynamic field will display with the appropriate options available. The mapping screen allows you to connect or edit the connections has several menus, toolbars and panels to help you design a badge: 1. Card object tree panel (panel is docked on left) 2. Data object connections editor (appears on right) You will notice that the fields that display are based on the type of data object you are selecting from the object tree. a) All objects have a type of data field b) and a database selection droplist You can edit additional attributes like truncating leading zeros or formatting options depending on the type of data displayed in the field. Click the FINISH button to save changes! 1 2 a b WARNING: if you close without saving your changes you will loose your intended settings. The confirmation dialog asks you if you want to CANCEL your changes when you close. If you click YES you will dump your changes. See the ExchangeIT Designer Help screens for details on MAPPING. Get to the help from the software menu or from the Windows Start menu >Start > Programs> ExchangIT >System Help Page 21 of 25
MAPPING A PHOTO OBJECT TO SYSGAL DATABASE In System Galaxy, the photograph location for cardholders is stored in the SysGal database. The photographs are stored in the badging folder. The software manual covers these details. After you add the picture object to the Card Layout (Step-3), you must map the photo object to the SysGal database. Select the Mapping tab and select your photo/picture object in the Available Items list. Set the data type field to Photo Set the database column to PHOTOGRAPH_FILENAME (SysGal). Set the Image options to database column points to the image file. Do not select contains image. SysGal does not store the image it only points the image path. Uncheck the [Add Path] and [Add Extension] options It is recommended to use the aspect ration of 3 and 4 as shown below. Click the FINISH button and provide a template name to save changes! WARNING: If you close without saving your changes, you will loose your settings. The confirmation dialog asks user if you want to CANCEL your changes when you close. Clicking YES means you want to dump your changes, not save. See the ExchangeIT Designer Help screens for details on MAPPING. Get to the help from the software menu or from the Windows Start menu >Start > Programs> ExchangIT >System Help Page 22 of 25
STEP-5 Using the Badge Designs in System Galaxy You must import the badge designs into System Galaxy before you can associate them to a cardholder and print a badge. IMPORTING BADGE DESIGNS INTO SYSTEM GALAXY In System Galaxy, you must import the badge design list from the Badge Definition screen. Open System Galaxy and login as a master operator. From the SG menu, select Configure > Cards > Badge Layout Designs. In the Badge Definitions window, click the [Import Card Definitions] and wait for System Galaxy to import the list of templates available from Card Exchange. Any card definitions you created and any default definitions in CE card definition list will be imported into System Galaxy provided they are checked in the Card Exchange definition list. Customer field is used for systems running the Galaxy Web Module. To set this you would select a badge design name and EDIT each record, one-by-one. NOTE: You only need to assign a customer if you are defining customers. The customer names must be created in System Galaxy before they are available in this field. Refer to the System Galaxy Software Manual for information on how to assign and print badge templates to cardholders found in chapter 17 of the Software Manual. Page 23 of 25
ASSIGNING A PHOTOGRAPH TO A CARDHOLDER In System Galaxy, you must assign the photograph to a cardholder. Open Cardholder screen from the toolbar button (button with the head icon) Create a new cardholder by clicking ADD NEW and entering a last name and first name. program options as needed To assign a photo you must select the personal tab and click the camera Browse to the appropriate folder and select the desired picture Click APPLY to save. SG stores the pathname to this picture in the database Page 24 of 25
ASSIGNING A BADGE TEMPLATE TO A CARDHOLDER In System Galaxy, you must assign the badge design to a cardholder. Click the EDIT button to place the record in edit mode Select the Card / Badge Settings tab Select the Badge / Dossier Settings tab Select the desired template name from the Badge Design droplist Click APPLY to save. Click the PRINT or PREVIEW button to print and preview the user s badge. Page 25 of 25