MPM Link – Quick Start

MPM Link Quick Start – Version 2.5
MPM Link – Quick Start
Installing MPM Link.
Make sure your PC has an active Internet connection. MPMLink prerequisites may be required and
those will be downloaded automatically from a Microsoft site.
Double click the downloaded installation file (MPMLink.exe) to initiate the installation.
Note for Windows 10 Users
MPMLink is not recognized by Windows 10 as a ‘commonly used application’. You may receive warnings
when downloading or running MPMLink. This is normal.
Verify that you are downloading the file from the source link you were provided, then proceed with the
installation. When you received a warning like the one shown below, Click on the ‘I understand’ box and
proceed.
Click ‘I understand’ and ‘ Run anyway’ to proceed with the installation.
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MPM Link Quick Start – Version 2.5
MPMLink installation
Click ‘Unzip’ to start the install.
Prerequisites
Depending on your PCs configuration one or two prerequisite packages may require installation. You will
be prompted automatically if these are required. Completing the prerequisite installation requires an
Internet connection. If you do not have a connection, Cancel the installation of MPMLink until you have
a connection.
Prerequisite – Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5
If your PC does not already have this package installed, you will see the following dialog:
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MPM Link Quick Start – Version 2.5
Click ‘Accept to proceed.
Prerequisite – SQL Server 2014 SP1 Express LocalDB
If your PC does not already have this package installed, you will see the following dialog.
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MPM Link Quick Start – Version 2.5
Click ‘Accept’ to proceed
The file will automatically expand into a temporary folder, and the setup program will launch. Follow the
prompts to complete the installation.
The files will download automatically, and then you may be prompted to allow the installation.
Click ‘Yes’ to proceed.
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MPM Link Quick Start – Version 2.5
Allow the installation to complete
If the second prerequisite is required, you will see a similar set of dialogs for it.
Install MPMLink
Click ‘Next’ on the Setup Wizard Welcome screen
Typically you will not make any changes on the Installation Folder dialog. Click ‘Next’ to proceed
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MPM Link Quick Start – Version 2.5
Click ‘Next’ on the Confirm dialog to start the installation.
The Progress dialog will report installation status. Be sure to ‘Allow’ all software to install, if prompted.
The Completion dialog signals a successful install. Click ‘Close’
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MPM Link Quick Start – Version 2.5
Finally, click ‘Close’ on the unzip dialog to complete the install.
Starting MPM Link
Locate the MPM Link icon on the desktop, and double-click it to start the program
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MPM Link Quick Start – Version 2.5
This will open the MPM Link main screen:
There are two view areas on the main dialog:
Gateways Identifies the remote data collection units from which data can be retrieved. A Gateway is a
standalone computer located in a remote facility with software for reading data from Aker Wade
chargers and Power Loggers, and that can delive3r this data to an Aker Wade Management server.
Gateway Events Reports user activity, including gateway data retrieval and import of that data into
Motive Power Manager (MPM) databases.
Steps required in MPM Link to retrieve and process data from Gateways are:
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Add a Gateway configuration. This uses the ‘Add New’ button
Select the gateway in the Gateway list box, and the use the ‘Read Selected’ button to transfer
the gateway data to your PC.
Merge the data into an MPM database, using the ‘Log File Merge’ button
How to Add a Gateway
Click the ‘Add New’ button to open the Gateway configuration dialog:
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MPM Link Quick Start – Version 2.5
Enter data into the fields. Fields definitions:
Name Enter a name you use to identify the gateway. This can be anything that makes it easier for you
to understand where the gateway is installed
Email Address Enter the unique email address supplied with the gateway. This will be recorded on the
gateway, and on labels on the gateway packaging. No need to enter the domain portion of the name
(motivepowermanager.com). It will be added automatically.
Password Enter the unique email password supplied with the gateway. This will be recorded on the
gateway, and on labels on the gateway packaging.
Maximum Days to Read A gateway delivers data daily to the management server, where it is stored for
a minimum time of one year. When gateway data is transferred, the most recent data is transferred
first, and then older data – up to ‘Maximum Days to Read’ is transferred. Entering a 0 will transfer all
data stored on the server for the Gateway.
Typically, MPM Link will be used on a regular basis, and the ‘number of days’ should be slightly longer
than the frequencty used to collect the data. For example, MPM Link may be run once a week, with a
‘Number of Days’ value of 9.
MPM Database Enter the name of an existing MPM database into which the data can be automatically
merged. NOTE: This is optional. The database is used when the ‘Merge Files after Read’ option is selected
on the Main dialog.
NOTE: In order to merge data into an MPM database, MPM must be installed and operational
on the PC. MPM is used to create and view databases. MPM Link relies on MPM to initialize an
MPM database for use in MPM Link. Refer to the MPM documentation for further information.
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MPM Link Quick Start – Version 2.5
Local Access This feature allows MPM Link to directly access a gateway using a network cable. It should
remain unchecked except in special circumstances.
Include this Gateway when Read Active is selected Ignore this field. It is defined for a future feature
enhancement. Leave it unchecked.
Note Enter any text that can assist in describing the gateway.
An example of a completed gateway configuration:
Click ‘OK’ to save the information. The main dialog will be updated to include the new information:
Transferring data from the Gateway
Click a Gateway in the Gateway list to select it, and confirm it is highlighted:
Click ‘Read Selected to transfer data:
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MPM Link Quick Start – Version 2.5
The Status window will begin to fill with information about the transfer. While a transfer is active, a
‘Cancel’ button will be displayed in the header, as shown below. Click ‘Cancel’ to stop a transfer. When
the ‘Cancel’ button disappears, the transfer is complete.
The status messages report the number of files transferred from the gateway, and their processing on
your local PC. Once completed, the transferred files will be resident on your PC, and ready for merging
into an MPM database.
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MPM Link Quick Start – Version 2.5
Merge the Data Into and MPM Database
On the main dialog, click ‘Log File Merge’ to open the File Merge dialog:
Choose a destination MPM database using the ‘Browse’ button:
Click on the database name, and then ‘OK’ to select the highlighted database.
Choose the files to merge into the database. Files are stored in the default log file folder, in a sub folder
named with the Gateway Name field that is configured for the active gateway.
Log files end with a ‘.jlg’ suffix. The Name identifies the source gateway name, and the date it was
delivered to the server from the gateway.
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MPM Link Quick Start – Version 2.5
Highlight the files that you wish to merge, and then click ‘Open’. After a few moments, the Merge dialog
will be updated with the selected files.
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Once you click ‘OK’ in the Merge confirmation dialog, merging will begin. You will return to the main
dialog, and the Status window will begin to update with the merge results. The merge is complete when
the ‘Cancel’ button is removed.
Expand or contract the columns to see details on the merge. Use the column headers to sort data
Use MPM to open and view the MPM database after the merge completes.
Use Read Active to Automate MPMLink
The Read Active function can be used to automate reads from multiple gateways.
For each gateway to be read:
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Open the Gateway configuration dialog and choose a target MPM database
Check the ‘ Include this gateway….’ Checkbox
On the main dialog click the ‘Read Active button
MPM Link Quick Start – Version 2.5
All gateways with the Active flag set to ‘true’ will be read.
Merging Log Files Automatically
If an MPM database is identified in the Gateway configuration, then importing log files to the database
may be automated. Click the checkbox on the main dialog prior to clicking ‘Read Selected’ or ‘Read
Active’. The log files will then be automatically merged.
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