Any opinions on Flir software Thermacam Database99 ? Anybody use it? Could you share your experience? Is it compatible with Windows XP operating system?
Thanks,

I have used the demo version of the software.

It is simple to use, and has powerful querying abilities - - - if you utilize the text comment feature during the capturing of IR images.

The images are simple to add to the database - but it uses Thermacam Reporter reports as the source for the images. I created a simple report with several hundred IR images and added it to the database. ~ 15 minutes of work and hundreds of images in the database. A simple query based on the appropriate text comment gave me the desired output.

Is there a newer version available?

Also, we do not use the database software. We use a network dataspace, with many levels of directories that enables categorizing of equipment types. We have a directory for each inspection date to further categorize the images. Seems to do the job...

One benefit of the Thermacam database is the ability to create reports based upon query results.

I didn't realise there was a demo version available. I've been trying to get hold of an evaluation copy for some time, but my local FLIR rep has not been much help. Apparently it’s not something they distribute much in the UK.

But what I've learnt agrees with Jamie; it’s an archiving program for Reporter 7. It comes with two components; the SQL Database (with a few standard IR tools) and a plug-in for Reporter that handles the exporting/importing. All the images are copied into its own directory system.

The power of it lets you export images from lots of different reports, and then combine them together in a single report. This is useful if your, say, doing trending work over a series of inspections and want to produce a summary report.

But what’s important is what you want to use it for. It doesn’t do anything fancy like allow you to manage inspection programs, plan routes or connect image data to knowledge-based libraries. There are a few more expensive thermal databases on the market that will let you do all this (Lean DB/Inspectrend 6), plus give you software for syncing the database to a PDA or Tablet PC for field work.

Thermacam is much cheaper (under half the price), but its comparible in cost to getting an SQL licence off Microsoft. Ultimately you may find it easier to have something developed in-house to fit your needs. ThermaCam 99 is the latest version, and it works fine with XP (but not Vista). I’ve attached a PDF of the manual.

Moderators Note: Copyrighted manual removed - Please respect Intellectual property rights - at least here on the forum. - Terry O

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Terrence O'Hanlon,

Please note this material is copyrighted a fact I think all of us need to respect for any such materials. Thank you.

Thank you John.

Terry O

Ahh sorry Terry, I'm used to Operating Manuals being open-access.

Will try and remember to keep my copyright abuse private from now on.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Stephen Goodfellow,

FLIR offers the manual on their website, here:

Original link did not work...

Go to www.flir.com, click on PdM, click on Software, click on Manuals...

No worries Stephen - it is possible that FLIR would have no problem with the manual posted (as it is free publicity) but you never know.

The larger the company - usually the more restrictive they are with use of copyrighted material.

Thanks Jamie for posting a direct link to FLIRs site where the manual is available.

Terry O

To answer your original questions. I have used this and it is very good, works well and is very stable. It is compatable with windows XP.

There are as has been suggested other database solutions, and these too work well. What is the best solution for you depends on your needs. I have looked at a different database program ( some time ago) and what I found was that it did not work with reporter files, so my old reports could not be imported and the other dissappointing feature was that you could not add analysis functions to the images you imported, this had to be done on the camera, you also could not change the image pallettes or level and span. With Thermacam database you can query, create a report and within the report you can add analysis functions etc. I do beleive this product is best suited to in-house thermography programs, where clear routes are in place and a proper asset register exists, as you can then carry out successful queries with better success. I would also recommend the use of the camera text comment feature. If you work as a consultant I would see little benifit in using this product.

can any one tell me about the inspecTrend DB Software? How we can succcesfully develop the thermography db program using the InspecTrend??
Any Suggestion/Recommendation highly appreciated.
thanks & Regards

Sorry, I am a new one in Thermography area and working for a processing company.

Is the Thermacam Database 99 support/can be setup for database via network ?

I prefer to save the database in the server, rather than in 1 single alone PC.

Let say, we have 3 Thermographer. Can we have the same/single database in the server, but still can be acces by the 3 Thermographer using their own PC via network?

Can the other user (ie : maintenance superintendent, operation superintendent, plant manager, etc) acces the database with read only privilege, so they can see the data without being able to modify the data ?

Regards,
Bimo

ps: apologize if my English is confusing, cause I am from non English speaking country.