Power Users vs Casual Users – What’s the difference?

Who uses EQuIS™? The user base for EQuIS is large and varied, but generally can be divided into two different categories—power users and casual users. Power users are typically database administrators and scientists who setup, configure, and manage the system at a base level to enable use by all. Casual users are often project managers, auditors, and executives who consume data through web interface views and reporting tools made available by the power user. In most cases, a single power user can setup and manage a system for a large number of casual users.

EQuIS provides user interfaces connected to the same database for these different user types. The EQuIS Professional user interface is a desktop application designed for power users that is used for system setup and editing, manual data importing, report building and editing, and other advanced functional capabilities. This interface allows for advanced data analysis and modeling, and provides ultimate power and flexibility. The EQuIS Enterprise user interface is a web application (not locally installed) designed for casual users that provides simple, easy-to-use tools to view and analyze data and automate workflow. Highly-configurable, project-specific web dashboards can be created to visualize and/or download data instantly and in real-time.

 

 

Power Users

Power users manage the data in the database and prepare the data to be utilized by casual users. While EQuIS Enterprise dashboards are typically used by casual users, power users can also be responsible for creating the dashboards and setting up automated workflows. Complex data analysis can be performed with EQuIS components, such as EnviroInsite and Risk3T, or with interfaces to third party software. Tasks commonly performed by power users include:

• Import data into or rollback data from the database.
• View and manage individual database tables.
• Control user permissions to data and workflow components.
• Create location, chemical, and facility groups for easy user reporting in Enterprise.
• Manage the valid values of the database, which standardizes data input, storage, and reporting.
• Plan, schedule, and track environmental projects by utilizing the Sample Planning Module (SPM).
• Configure forms for field data collection with either EQuIS Collect or EDGE.
• Create standardized report templates for different submittal requirements. These reports can be automated and be available for use in Enterprise by casual users.
• Manage regulatory standards and action levels within the database that can be used for reporting.
• Perform data analysis, such as statistical evaluation, graphing, mapping, visualization, modeling, risk assessment, and data validation.
• Connect to powerful third party applications, such as ArcGIS, for additional analysis and visualization.

 

 

 

Casual Users

Generally, casual users need to access and view data, but do not setup or manage the data management system. The EQuIS Enterprise web-based interface is designed for casual users to view data for enhanced decision support. Depending on permissions, both power users and casual users can create highly-configurable dashboards with project-specific widgets for endless flexibility. Widgets for charts, graphs, maps, and tables are among the wide variety of options. The customizable dashboards and widgets allow for project insights to enhance and support decision making.

The Enterprise EQuIS Data Processor (EDP) provides advanced workflow automation for efficient and reliable data loading and quality checks. The purpose of Enterprise EDP is for the automated workflow to receive (via ftp, email, or web) and process Electronic Data Deliverables (EDDs) using the same checks as other EDP modes. Acceptance and/or rejection notifications are automatically sent. Many laboratories use Enterprise EDP.

EQuIS Enterprise dashboards are perfect for the casual user as they are completely accessed from the internet and require no installation of software. Casual users can download, view, and send data with just a few clicks. Users can create as many dashboards they want. Widgets can be configured to connect to data loggers and sensors. Automated reports can be setup and scheduled.

Several example Enterprise dashboards illustrate how various widgets can be combined to provide data, maps, video, and other information to facilitate project understanding and site decision-making processes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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