Here are more samples of ELA or personal projects. When you Think ELA, a project similar to these may come to mind.
Some application names have been changed and some screen shots have been altered or cropped.
Ultimate ECN - Engineering change tracking on steroids Knock Knock - Complete database of diesel engines, all encompassing Training/Import – Keep track of training records with Web Import Remote Contact Manager – Contact and visit database for regional
reps Drawing Generator – Base drawing generator from database parameters Selection/Sizing – Engineering sizing program combining lots of different data Engineering Change – Engineering revision control with external database connections Zip Code Match – Combine many Excel spreadsheets
and generate output PumpTest – Perform a test on a centrifugal
pump and keep the results in a database TestRig – Write a QBasic program to control
pump testing (programming environment diversity) AS400 Report – Import data from AS400 and make a
useful report Web Selections – Adapt some engineering
sizing/selection programs to a web application Durability Testing – Test a controller using a
data acquisition system Drum Sequencer – (personal) Produce some practice files for
musicians Music Database – (personal) Keep track of personal
compositions DPSWatch – (personal) Reverse-engineer the Akai DPS24 multitrack
recorder
Ultimate ECN
Ultimate ECN is the backbone
of an engineering change and revision system for a local manufacturer. It was custom designed to conform to the workflow
of the department and is an essential part of the operation. Ultimate
ECN keeps track of pictures, parts, notes and status of each particular
change and has a live connection to the company's inventory system (an
M2M ODBC database).
Knock Knock
This is an engineering
application which has several duties (shown as doors) concerning diesel
engine selection and application. At the heart is a single database of
engines and engineering information. This data is used to:
select an engine size for pump requirements
select an exhaust system based on construction data
create and organize published data sheets (sales data)
select specialty engines with additional reports and graphs
feed data to a live website for online selections by customers
This application replaces several other methods of selecting an engine by hand or on Excel spreadsheets. Before, this data was kept in several different places and could easily become out of sync when all the spreadsheets were not simultaneously updated. Knock Knock also makes informative, professional output for use by customers.
Training/Import
Training/Import – Keep track of training records Platform: Access Origin: The customer purchased an Access
database from a developer, and also purchased the unlock code so that
modifications could be made. How it shines: Added Excel import and export
capabilities; several new reports; added web crawlers to import data from
websites where other training records are kept.
Remote Contact Manager
Remote Contact Manager – contact database for regional
reps Platform: Access Origin: Another consultant started on this
project, which was imported from a large spreadsheet. When I received it, it was partially finished
and did not create any reports. The
developer was no longer available. How it shines: The database resides on a Citrix
server, and the regional salesmen simply “phone in” and use the
application. The user interface is
optimized for maximum speed, and the reporting functions have extensive filters
and search capabilities. There are
several user levels, with the Admin level including metrics and work flow
reports.
Drawing Generator
Drawing Generator – Base drawing generator Platform: Access Origin: The customer has a series of
engineering drawings where updates to components are done. Each change requires that the 80+ drawings be
revised and re-issued. Those in charge
of assembling the bases needed to find out which drawing is most recent. The customer needed a way to enter part and
data information for different configurations, as well as keep a revision
history. How it shines: In addition to holding data for the
various parts, this application generates the engineering drawing to duplicate the
original AutoCAD drawing, complete with dimensioned scale drawings of the
completed base.
Selection/Sizing
Selection/Sizing – Engineering sizing program Platform: Access Origin: This customer has a product which
is used with centrifugal pumps. In order
to approach pump manufacturers with suggested matching products, it was
necessary to take published pump performance data and match it to the
customer’s products. How it shines: This application is the centerpiece of
engineering performance data for this company.
It contains performance data for the products, does several different
engineering calculations and creates outputs and reports that can go directly
to their customers. It publishes a
series of external documents which otherwise require the manual update of 250+
pages of data.
Engineering Change
Engineering Change – Engineering revision control Platform: Access Origin: The customer was first looking for
a system to keep track of engineering changes.
This later expanded into tracking BOM changes, connecting to a ODBC
database to update live inventory counts, manage associated documents and
e-mails, and produce weekly reports which are used as the basis for a
conference call. How it shines: The application is at the center
of the workflow for engineering changes and is constantly updated by users. It is very customized to the customer’s
environment, and therefore is complicated enough to perform the required
duties, but simple enough not to contain any extra steps or procedures.
Zip Code Match
Zip Code Match – Combine many Excel spreadsheets
and test output Platform: Access and Excel Origin: The customer had a list of zip
codes and needed to determine coverage for each zip code from his field
representatives. Each of them provided
an Excel file with a list of 100 to 10000 zip codes which were covered. All of the spreadsheets needed to be combined
to determine where coverage was needed. It may sound simple, but it is difficult to find and match data from all the files, then determine which cells are empty. How it shines: Although the input and output were
in Excel, the power was in an Access database which read some very large files,
sorted out the zip codes, and then organized the results into a tabbed Excel
file according to region. The unknown zip
codes were combined with a public (free) zip code database to make the job of
filling in the blanks easier.
PumpTest - Example of one customer
PumpTest – Perform a test on a centrifugal
pump and keep the results in a database Platform: Windows Executable Origin: In one example, the customer was
using a Unix-based testing program on a system where the hardware was obsolete
and difficult to repair. The trick was
to keep the previous 20+ years of data available and connect to the data
acquisition system. How it shines: PumpTest is at the center of
workflow for this company, with a reliable testing system, powerful search
capabilities, and easy use for hourly labor and engineers alike. The change from the previous system to
PumpTest was seamless and they have not looked back. It also shares data with the PumpPublish and
PumpSel programs to provide current and historical engineering and test data on
demand.
Testrig (QBasic)
TestRig – Write a QBasic program to control
pump testing Platform: QBasic Origin: This manufacturer has three test
rigs with three different data acquisition systems. Three different QBasic programs were able to
perform an automated test, but several modifications were needed. The original programmers were unavailable. How it shines: The existing code, while good,
benefitted from an update where a set of common libraries and functionalities
were added. In the past, the development
had diverged as each program was modified for a particular location. Problems with maximum code size (which
happened with QBasic when the program grew too large) were eliminated and there
was space for more functionality.
AS400 Report
AS400 Report – Import data from AS400 and make a
useful report Platform: Access Origin: The client could not make useful
reports from their AS400 data. They were
able to make an automated export and wished to view this data in several
different ways. How it shines: The import arrived in several
different files and showing the data in a report meant reorganizing it and
using the report generator in Access.
However, the client also received a detailed instruction manual describing
how to modify the fields and reports without requiring further programming
assistance. In addition, the entire
process was made automatic so that the data was always the most up-to-date.
Web-Based Sizing/Selection
Web-Based Sizing/Selection – Adapt some engineering
sizing/selection programs to a web application Platform: Web services, VB.Net Origin: The client had performed some
engineering selections via another program, and this was a big step up from
doing the selections by hand. However, the
selections process was made foolproof and simple so that the end-users could
perform without distracting the engineering department. The programs were written at the same time of
a major website upgrade and move to another development company, so work was
done with that consultant also. How it shines: All three selection programs are
highly customized to the client’s needs and have specific code and algorithms
that are complex and requires engineering knowledge to complete. The online applications are a synergy between
Eric Landis & Associates and the web contractor, where neither of us would
be able to complete the project alone.
Durability Testing
Durability Testing – Test a controller box using a
data acquisition system Platform: Windows Application (VB6) Origin: The client has a controller for
their product, but must simulate the product in order to test that the
controller is working properly. The
tools are a laptop, a data acquisition system with an ActiveX API designed to
work with VB6. How it shines: In addition to interfacing with
the acquisition hardware using no other software, the test program has a
customized instruction list which controls the test. This was done in anticipation of modifying
the test procedure or extending it to other controllers. If the customer desires, the entire program
could be used for other automated testing using this data acquisition
system. They are receiving a customized
version of controller software.
Drum Sequencer
Drum Sequencer – Produce some practice files for
musicians Platform: Windows Application Origin: Personal project. As musicians in a drum and bugle corps, bass
drummers rely on the other members of the section to be present for an
effective practice. This can be
simulated by the use of audio files (or cassette tapes, back in the day) where
the other member’s parts appear and it is optional to mute your own part. How it shines: In today’s computing environment,
there are lot of ways to simulate audio and drums in a musical setting. This application uses a programming grid for
the quickest possible input method, and adds several automated functions to
make the end result more humanized and less computer-like. The process of entering music into Finale may
take 3+ hours, where entering the same music into Drum Sequencer may take half
the time and has more flexibility when finished. Although this is a VB6 project, it used a custom C++ rendering function so that 44.1kHz samples could be rendered and played in realtime.
Music Database
Music Database – Keep track of personal
compositions Platform: Access Origin: Personal project. I have some original music compositions and
need to keep track of some basic information.
This started in a spreadsheet, but needed searching capabilities and the
ability to make better outputs, such as CD covers and lyric sheets. The addition of lyrics alone would have been
too much for Excel. How it shines: It is a quick way to find music
based on a highly customized system – my personal workflow. Double-clicking on an album title takes you
to an editor for that album. This would
be a nice way for the iPod to work when you would like to see other songs on
the album for the song that’s playing.
There are also records of backups, lyrics, length and record date.
DPS Watch
DPSWatch – For the Akai DPS24 multitrack
recorder Platform: Windows Application Origin: Personal project. Akai made a product called the DPS24, which
is a digital multitrack recorder. Outside the box, there are files associated
with each project, and working with those files is not intuitive but it is
required if you want to perform external backups, etc. How it shines: The various files were examined
and then reverse-engineered to show information about the projects. This is information that would take 2+ hours
of file transfer and downloading to discover using the DPS24. DPSWatch also calculates the backup sizes
onto different media, automatically organizing files into the smallest number
of CD’s or DVD’s.
Training/Import – Keep track of training records
Remote Contact Manager – contact database for regional
reps
Drawing Generator – Base drawing generator
Selection/Sizing – Engineering sizing program
TestRig – Write a QBasic program to control
pump testing
AS400 Report – Import data from AS400 and make a
useful report
Durability Testing – Test a controller box using a
data acquisition system
Drum Sequencer – Produce some practice files for
musicians
Music Database – Keep track of personal
compositions
DPSWatch – For the Akai DPS24 multitrack
recorder