Here is where I am supposed to tell you about the software, features, comparisons to others, etc. But the first thing people notice about UncertaintyToolbox™ is that it is different in many ways. It's nothing like traditional packaged commercial software, and once you discover the benefits of these "differences", you will be glad it's different. 

HOW & WHY IS IT SO DIFFERENT?

To begin with, we don't consider ourselves to actually be in the “Software Business”, but rather, in the business of developing “Software-Based Solutions” for modern laboratories to use in meeting the laboratory competency requirements as put forth via ISO/IEC17025 Laboratory Accreditation. It could be because I am a Metrologist, a consultant in measurement science, programming is just a means to an end for me, so I built what I wanted, ignoring the typical "Software Business" product model. 

THE "SHOW YOUR WORK" DIFFERENCE

One of the major differences is that all the maths used in our Templates are deliberately kept in the worksheets and viewable for appropriate assessment, eliminating the need for elaborate "validation". In any practical science application, “show your work” is a fundamental practice, which is often hindered by math-based software that treats the applied math as “proprietary”. We refer to these products that come with a "Trust Me" requirement as “Black Box Software”. 

In the case of measurement uncertainty analysis, according to a defined method (ISO GUM Method), of which the result and process of arriving at the result, is to be assessed by an independent auditor (as per Laboratory Accreditation Requirements), “show your work” matters. In fact, showing your work is required for all values presented in the laboratories "Scope of Accreditation"! With UncertaintyToolbox™, ALL applied math is deliberately put into the Template worksheets and made visible for evaluation and to provide an understanding of the applied process.

RELIABLE MATH ENGINE

Besides, exposing all of our math for review, another major difference is instead of using some economical, remote 3^rd party math engine, we choose the math engine used by many National Metrology Institutes; Microsoft® Excel®. And by designing our product in Excel®, we gain the advantage of allowing users to expand the product, such as, with the use of Custom Industry Specific Templates.

All of this explains why UncertaintyToolbox™ is often given as an example of what type of analysis report is required for Laboratory Accreditation to ISO/IEC17025. Plus, we do not place restrictions in the provision of the resulting analyses, built with our templates in Microsoft® Excel®, to your assessor or any other reviewers. UncertaintyToolbox™ reports consist of an Excel® Workbook containing all the math applied in arriving at the given result, as it should be.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

FUNCTIONAL DESIGN OVERVIEW

UncertaintyToolbox™ is an add-in for Microsoft® Excel®, providing User Forms, Wizards and Templates, designed to assist the measurement uncertainty analyst in modeling any measurement performed by mankind, in accordance with the ISO “Guide to the expression of Uncertainty in Measurement” Analysis Method. Some of the most complex measurements on earth have been modeled in UncertaintyToolbox™.

Its design includes a standard set of Excel® Templates along with the capability to incorporate “Custom Templates” for specific industry applications. UncertaintyToolbox™ adds the power, compatibility, and reliability of Microsoft® Excel® ensuring that the resulting reports can be reviewed by anyone using Microsoft® Excel®.

While UncertaintyToolbox™ employs several “Templates”, each of these templates are automatically linked together using one of several Wizard's. Any value changed/updated anywhere in the workbook reflects into the final value, as it should. In other words, all the calculations on each page, and each page with respect to the overall analysis, are linked together into one giant formula.

MAIN USER INTERFACE

The first tool one uses in building a measurement uncertainty or decision rule risk analysis with UncertaintyToolbox™, is the Main User Interface. This interface makes easy work of importing templates, along with copying and editing them. It also provides system security and contains the User Settings, Preferences and Default Information to be inserted into the analysis.

WIZARDS

Many of the templates contain an Entry Wizard. Which is designed to make easy work out of filling in all the specifics.

STAND-ALONE REPORTS

One of the best features of UncertaintyToolbox™, is that the final report is basically just an Excel® Workbook. It stands alone, with no need for the add-in to be installed on any reviewers' computer. Once the analysis is constructed, the only thing needed to review and/or edit entries in the Uncertainty Analysis is Microsoft® Excel®. This difference alone makes UncertaintyToolbox™ the hassle-free solution in addressing the computation of measurement uncertainty under the requirements of Laboratory Accreditation to ISO/IEC17025.

FLEXIBLE TRAINING PROGRAMS

To create an uncertainty analysis in UncertaintyToolbox™ requires knowledge of the ISO GUM Method, as well as knowledge pertaining to the physics associated with the measurement method and the equipment utilized in the process. Training, samples, and guidance from Quametec are available to help the analyst quickly get up to speed in completing their required analyses correctly.

Quametec offers various avenues to get your staff the necessary training and assistance required to become a competent measurement uncertainty analyst for their organization.

TYPES OF AVAILABLE TRAINING

1. Formal Public Classes: Includes hands-on training with after-class support and a unique learning guarantee.

2. Online Self-Paced Training: The Quametec Institute of Measurement Technology, provides a truly “Self-Paced” online learning experience. Participants receive a minimum of 120 days access, with extensions provided at no additional charge. Tuition includes private online GoToMeeting® tutoring sessions, as needed, to ensure the student has correctly learned the process of performing a measurement uncertainty analysis.

3. Private Tutoring/Assistance via Online GoToMeeting® Sessions: For those needing quick, economical assistance and/or advanced training in Measurement Uncertainty Analysis, Quametec offers tutoring, group training, and technical assistance via online GoToMeeting® Sessions with flexible scheduling and NO cancellation fees.

SOFTWARE SUPPORT

The differences with UncertaintyToolbox™ don’t end with software design, our support is also very different from the standard model. Our users interact with us and other users in an online User Group, open to all licensed users of the software. 

The User Group facilitates sharing of analyses and forum discussions where they can get questions pertaining to uncertainty, accreditation, and metrology answered, along with various other neat features.

Desktop Installation Support is provided for a period of 1 year from purchase. For a nominal fee of $275/year, users receive free upgrades to new versions and  desktop installation support provided directly to the end-user or their IT professional, as applicable.