User Configuration

DataShed works in a distributed environment to provide enterprise wide data management. A system administrator uses the configuration application to allocate access privileges to users.

Three levels of security are available:

• A System Administrator can edit and configure the entire database
• A User Plus can edit and import data into administrator specified tables.
• A User can only view data from tables specified by the administrator.

User Interface

Some of the user interface features includes:

• Comprehensive filtering without the need for SQL knowledge
• Runs extensions, reports and queries to provide quick and easy reporting
• Easy export of filtered data
• View all the data relevant to a particular drill hole in a single form
• Drag and drop grouping of data, conditional formatting and summary data

Dataset Manager

• The System Administrator sets up datasets and projects in a system of project folders
• A dataset may be specific to a particular country, state, project, etc.

To view data, users select one or more datasets.

Data Importing

Import layouts are created to automatically map column header from any file to be imported with the column headings in the database.

Single File Import

The Single File Import form imports an individual file to append or merge data to a selected table.

Multi File Import

The Multi File Import option is used for import of multiple files with preformatted layouts.

• Supported formats: Excel, CSV, fixed width Text files (SIF), Datamine text, Micromine text
• Import any supported file format and manually or automatically match to tables and fields in the database
• Create import layouts to automatically match and load files with headers different to those in the database tables
• Define SQL statements and VBA routines to manipulate and validate data on import
• Batch loading or multi file importing for unlimited numbers of files
• Automated importing
• LAS file importing

Data Exporting

Three methods of export are available:

• Tables: All columns (fields) are exported, with no field format control
• Layout: The user selects fields to be exported by creating an export layout
• Scheme: Multiple user-defined layouts are grouped together as a scheme and exported with a single click of the Export button

Other features include:

• Supported export formats: Excel, CSV, Access and Paradox
• Export formats for Surpac, Micromine, Datamine, Vulcan and Gemcom
• Exports based on user filtering
• Export to MapInfo and ArcView formats available through the DataShed GIS Geocomm utility

Data Validation

Data integrity is enforced via the data model and therefore dictated by a client's requirements.

A comprehensive error reporting tool provides guidance for users. Invalid records are retained in a temporary table for corrections and subsequent entry to the database.

DataShed offers a downhole interval validation tool for clients who wish to allow invalid intervals into the database and to validate the data at a later stage. This tool checks for overlapping intervals, missing intervals, duplicate intervals and intervals past the specified maximum depth in the collar table.

Filter and Search

Filters provide a powerful and intuitive way of placing constraints on data. The filters work in conjunction with the dataset selection.

Spatial Search

Drill holes and point data may be viewed spatially within DataShed. Spatial Search has the ability to use objects and shapes to select data and this selection is then used to filter the relevant tables.

Grid Conversion Management

DataShed can manage and store all grid transformations for spatial data. Coordinates for drillholes and point data can be transformed between grid systems using DataShed. Any number of coordinate systems can be stored and manipulated in the database.

Connectivity

DataShed uses Geocomm to dynamically exchange information with other applications running on the same machine. Users have the full functionality of both applications, with each application sending or receiving the current database row or GIS map feature. Geocomm is installed as a standard part of a DataShed installation.

1. GIS Connectivity

Direct linkage with MapInfo, ArcView, Target and other exploration visualisation applications to spatially view data from the database and link spatial files with metadata and other information stored in the database.

2. Mining Application Connectivity

Connectivity to mining packages such as Surpac, Micromine, Datamine, Vulcan and Gemcom means mining data and metadata can be viewed from the database and linked to mining spatial files.

Extensions

DataShed has a series of extensions to provide reporting and interpretation of data. DataShed clients can add their own extensions to meet specialised needs.

Charting

The charting function in DataShed allows users to compare data on an x and y axis. A data selection box allows the user to select the data.

File Cataloguing

User defined cataloguing allows direct access to relevant GIS files. For instance the files can be referenced to a project or dataset and grouped under geology, geophysics, topography etc.