How to mission and use your Micrologger (Button Logger). Plus, how to understand and share your results using the Thermotrack PC Software.

Also known as Button Loggers, due to their compact size, Microloggers are suited to a wide range of in-process environmental and in-transit applications.

Designed with the user in mind, these loggers are easy to set up or ‘mission’. Analysis is also straightforward, as data can be transferred via USB and read using the Thermotrack PC Software.

Although the process of using and reading the Micrologger is intuitive, we have created a Help Guide to make it even easier to work through.

In this guide, we will be answering the following questions:

How do I mission (start) a Micrologger?

How do I use a Micrologger?

How do I use the Thermotrack PC Software?

How do I mission (start) a Micrologger?

The term ‘mission a Micrologger’ means to start the Micrologger, ready for either its first or next round of data collection.

Parameters will vary depending on the type of Micrologger you are using. That is why the first step is always to place the Micrologger onto the reader for a Direct Missioning.

Once you have carried out a full Direct Mission, you will be able to choose from the three methods mentioned below:

Direct Missioning

As mentioned above, you will always need to start the process by placing your Micrologger onto the reader for a Direct Missioning.

Once you have done this, you will need to click the ‘Mission’ icon, then choose ‘Prepare’ from the list of options.

This will cause three tabs to appear on your screen: General, Temperature, and Memory. You will need to work through each of the three tabs, entering in the relevant values.

The General Tab

In this tab, you can set the following values:

Start at: select the time and date for the mission to start.

Start delay: prepare the mission days in advance. Use the arrows or click on the calendar icon.

Start if alarm: you can make it so the Micrologger only starts logging when an alarm has been triggered.

Resolution: this will depend on the model of your Micrologger. The resolution relates to the number of measurements the button can log and the time before the memory is full – these two values will be calculated automatically when you input the resolution.

Sample rate: using the arrow symbol to increase or decrease the value, you can select the frequency of each measurement. This will impact the duration of the mission.

Synchro on PC clock: adjust the clock of the Micrologger using your PC clock.

Memory rollover: When the memory of the Micrologger is full, there are two options to consider:

  • Select ‘No’ to stop the Micrologger and keep all the data.
  • Select ‘Yes’ to enable the rollover.

The Temperatures Tab

In this tab, you can specify high and low temperature thresholds. During the data logging period, if the temperature falls outside of these thresholds, an alarm will be logged.

You can also specify a temporisation for these alarms, so they are colour-coded to reflect how long the temperature sat outside the threshold.

For example, yellow if the temperature falls outside the limit, but during less time than the temporisation. Or Red, if the temperature falls outside the limit for more time than the temporisation.

The Memory Tab

The Micrologger has an internal memory that allows you to store the information you want to assign to each mission. The information can also be used to create automatic archive names.

There are two different ways to enter this information:

Free text: enter the information directly.

Tabulated form: this consists of two columns. The variable column (e.g. vehicle) and the value column (e.g. Ford). Only the variable column will be registered when the automatic archive name is created.

REMEMBER: If you change a single parameter and click the ‘Mission’ button, all of the values stored in the Micrologger memory will be erased. To keep these values, you will need to click ‘Download’ and ‘Archive’ first. 

Relaunching an existing mission

To relaunch the mission of a Micrologger, it is simply a case of clicking on the Mission icon, then selecting the ‘Relaunch a Mission’ option.

This will allow you to relaunch without having to re-enter all of the parameters.

Missioning using profiles

If it is likely that the parameters of your mission will be repeated, you could save time and effort by creating a mission profile. Then, whenever your team need to carry out a round of data collection using the same parameters, they can simply select the pre-prepared profile.

This can be done multiple times to reflect a wide range of parameters.

To create a profile, you will need to click the ‘New’ button, then enter a profile name, an author, and a comment.

Next, you will need to select the type of Micrologger that will be used for this profile. This will activate any functions that are specific to certain types of Microloggers.

In each of the three tabs: General, Temperature, and Memory, enter the relevant values. This will include the start conditions, sample rate, and thresholds. Then, click ‘Save’.

Once your profiles have been created and you have opened up your Thermotrack Software – ready to use your Micrologger – you will need to click on the ‘Mission’ icon.

Next, from the list of options, select ‘Prepare from a profile’.

The final step is to select the relevant profile from the options in the list, and use the arrows to copy across the profile parameters.

How do I use a Micrologger?

1. If you are using a standard Micrologger, placing it inside a waterproof capsule will afford extra protection against heat and moisture.

2. Alternatively, if you are monitoring a high humidity application such as a wash cycle, you may decide to use a waterproof micrologger.

3. Once you have missioned your micrologger, you will need to place it safely inside the product or package you wish to monitor.

4. Once the application is complete, remove the micrologger from the product or package it has been placed inside.

5. The Thermotrack Software should have been downloaded onto your PC. Open it up and click the ‘download’ button.

6. Connect the micrologger to your PC using an interface clamp for a waterproof micrologger or a key fob reader for a standard logger.

How do I use the Thermotrack PC Software?

Once you have the Thermotrack software downloaded onto your device, it is simply a matter of pressing the ‘download’ button and placing your Micrologger on the reader.

You should then see a window featuring the following tabs:

Below you will find a breakdown of the functions that are possible within each tab:

The Status Tab

The Status Tab is the first to appear when you connect your Micrologger to a device. As you can see from the image below, this tab displays important information such as:

  • The serial number of your Micrologger
  • The mission status e.g. In progress, Stopped, Waiting for alarms
  • The number of samples since the mission started
  • The number of samples since the Micrologger was first started (the lifespan of the battery)
  • High and low thresholds with temporisations

The Alarms Tab

Next is the Alarms Tab. This window tells you if the pre-selected alarm and temporisation thresholds have been exceeded throughout the course of the mission.

Each alarm has a start and an end, with the time in between known as a period. Your Micrologger can store up to 12 high and low alarm periods.

For each period, the Micrologger records the total time and average temperature. The Thermotrack Software will also calculate the total time for all alarms.

If the alarm shows up in red or blue, this corresponds to the values that exceed the alarm and temporisation thresholds. If it shows up in orange, it corresponds to the values that exceed the alarm thresholds but not the temporisation thresholds.

If you enabled the roll-over feature (see above section), some periods may display N/A for the average temperature.

The Temperatures Tab

This window displays the temperature log for your Micrologger. The red lines correspond to temperatures below the pre-selected low threshold and the blue lines correspond to temperatures above the pre-selected high threshold.

You can click the column headers to sort the values accordingly.

Another option is to click the lens icon in the top right corner. This will open up a search box that allows you to find a specific date or value.

Alternatively, if you click the button to the right, this will sort the data into chronological order.

To the right of the colour-coded log, you will find a data overview, featuring key figures such as the total number of readable measurements, along with the average, minimum, and maximum temperature readings.

The Graphs Tab

A graph of the data gathered by your Micrologger will automatically appear when you open this tab. You will then be able to make use of the following functions:

  • Using the zoom window, you can select part of the graph and zoom in on a specific period
  • You can add labels to the graph showing the value, date, or both
  • By clicking on the email icon, you can send an image of the graph directly
  • The data points button allows you to choose whether or not the data points are displayed

The Notepad Tab

The Notepad Tab allows you to create and attach a report to the mission. You can include your choice of text, tables, and images.

By right clicking on the alarm table and selecting ‘copy’ you can copy the table over to the Notepad window. You can also copy over the graph using the insert button. This can be resized to suit the layout of your report.

Archive, Export, and Print

If you click the ‘archive’ button, you can archive the temperature data from your Micrologger. You have the option of naming the archive, listing the name of the person who created it, and selecting the folder where you want your archive to appear. If you want to record all of your temperature data automatically, there is also the option to set-up automatic archives.

Using the ‘export’ button, you can export the temperature log into Microsoft Excel.

You can print the alarm listing, temperature list, graph, and notepad. When you select the ‘print’ button, you will have the choice of exporting the report into Microsoft Word, sending it as an image via email, sending it as a PDF via email, or creating a PDF document. You can even personalise the reports with your company logo and address.

Solo or Cinco Software

Solo Software allows you to use just one logger at a time, with Cinco allowing you to use up to five.

As a result, if any of your loggers are damaged or need to be replaced, you may be met with the following error message if you try to add a new logger:

“You can use only 1 (or 5) button(s) with this software”

One solution is to remove the old loggers from the software. Click here to access the instructions for completing this process.

Alternatively, you could upgrade to a PRO version of the software, as this will allow you to use an unlimited number of loggers.

To explore our full range of compact data loggers, use the button below:
Learn more about our range of Microloggers

Plus, if there are any areas where you would like further guidance, the Klipspringer team would be happy to help. Simply contact our team on 01473 461800 or sales@klipspringer.com. Alternatively, you can fill out the form below.

If you want to learn more about Microloggers and their role at your food production site, the Klipspringer team would be happy to help. Share your details below to arrange a free consultation.