Risk Assessor tech Support

Risk Assessor is a database application for introducing a risk-based, decision making process into the management of your organisation. It will help you to identify hazards, assess their likelihood and consequence, plan control measures and prioritise the use of resources. This section of the Qudos web site is a free technical support service to users of Qudos Risk Assessor. For product information, please go to Risk Assessor info.

The Risk Assessor software includes a Help file, a series of risk management training presentations, and Sample procedures for risk assessment.

In addition, the following technical support is provided:

FAQ's - Answers to frequently asked questions

Error messages - Explanation of common error messages and alerts

Tech Tips - For time-saving tips

Consultancy & Training services - Delivered directly by Qudos or by an approved VAR. Visit web page or email: Email to Unsubscribe

Information provided refers to the latest version of the software. Earlier versions may differ.

^ Back to top ^

FAQs (Frequently asked questions)

R1: Using the Lookup Tables, I have created 15 risk analysis levels. These have a numeric codes e.g. 1 to 15 instead of the default H, M and L letter codes. Now I can't get the records to sort correctly. Is the software unable to sort on numbers?
The 'Sort Ascending' and 'Sort Descending' functions will work correctly with alpha (letter) or numeric formats. Where two digits are used, they will sort primarily on the first digit followed by the second digit etc. In your case, you need to set your single-digit numbers 1, 2, 3 etc. as 01, 02, 03 etc.

R2: I notice that the 'Assessment for' field has a drop-down list of areas. I would like to use Risk Assessor for contracts and events, but the subject of my assessment won't be an area.
The 'Assessment for' field has a drop-down list of options from your 'Areas' lookup table. This is because Areas tends to be the mostly widely used basis for the scope of an assessment e.g. The "Assessment Category" may be "Fire safety", and the "Assessment for" field may be a physical areas such as a particular building or department. However, this field is very flexible - you may choose to ignore the drop-down and simply type in the subject of your assessment as a one-off entry. Therefore, you can base your assessment on a one-off contract, event, customer, supplier etc.

R3: I don't want to use any of the default settings in the 'Overall Assessment' drop-down menu. How do I create my own?
1 Select menu item ->Edit ->Options
2 Click on Lookup Tables button
3 Select Risk tab
4 From the Display codes for drop-down menu, choose Overall Assessment
5 Modify existing entry or add new entry at the bottom of the list

R4: How can I incorporate an assessment from Qudos Risk Assessor into a report I am preparing?
From the assessment form, click on the Print button, and a Print Preview is displayed.
Select menu item ->File ->Export, and the Export to... dialog box is displayed. Select your options for folder to save in, the file name, the file type, and click on the Save button. If you choose RTF as the file type, the exported file may be opened in a word processor such as MS Word. You may then add other text, or copy and paste the contents into another document.

Windows compatibility
here are no known MS Windows 98, 2000, XP, or Vista compatibility issues.

MS Office compatibility
There are no known MS Office 2000, XP, or Vista compatibility issues.

MS Access compatibility
Risk Assessor uses a licenced, run-time version of MS Access XP. This is compatible with the general use of Access 2000 or later on the client computer. There is only one known issue: When Access users open a database from Windows Explorer, Windows will check its registry for the most recently used version of Access and attempt to run the database with it. Depending on usage - that could be the run-time version supplied with Risk Assessor. You may receive error messages or be prompted to convert the database file. There are simple solutions:

If you want to open an Access database, start Access first, or open the database from a desktop shortcut that specifies the full Access executable in its target path. The target path can be seen by right-clicking on the shortcut icon and selecting 'Properties'. As an example, check the icon used for Risk Assessor (remember that this will point to the run-time version of Access).
If you have MS Access XP, make a copy of the desktop shortcut to Risk Assessor, right-click and choose properties. In the target path, edit the section that points to the run-time exe - changing it to point to your full MS Access XP exe file.

^ Back to top ^

Issues

Cannot delete a Risk Assessment. Ref: 241.00 - There is no Delete button visible on the Risk Assessments List OR Ref: 253.00 - Using Delete button causes the application to close
A patch file is available to correct these issues. Registered users should complete a Tech support request to obtain it.

^ Back to top ^

Error messages

The following explain some of the more common error messages to be found in Risk Assessor:

Duplicate value
If the error message mentions a duplicate value, it means that you have entered a duplicate value in a field that should have a unique value. In most cases, it is valid to enter the same value in more than one field. For example, numerous hazards in a risk assessment may be given the same values for likelihood or consequence. However, there are some fields that require a unique value. Examples include, item numbers in a risk assessment.

Null value
Null is computer-speak for nothing or empty. If the error message mentions a null value, it means that you have not made an entry in a field that needed one.

No document has been linked
The button you clicked should contain a link to a document - but doesn't. You need to create the link. This might apply to use of the 'Procedure' button. You need to create a link from the button to an actual file or URL. To do that, use menu item -->Edit-->Options and make an entry in the procedure field.

File not found - or couldn't go there
The button you clicked contains a link to a document, but either the file name / path is incorrect, the document does not exist, or you do not have access to it. Once again, this might apply to use of the 'Procedure' button. You need to check the link from the button to a file or URL. To do that, use menu item -->Edit-->Options and make an entry in the procedure field. Check that the user has any necessary network / logon rights to go to the location where the document or URL is located. Also check any required network / Intranet / Internet connection.

Record not updateable / cannot be updated
The exact wording of this error message may vary. However, it generally means that you don't have permission to update the record. You must be a member of the appropriate security group. Please contact your system administrator to arrange that.

Error messages may vary according to the operating system being used, and may also be generated by other applications being used alongside Risk Assessor - such as email applications, word processors etc.

Registered users may obtain guidance on a particular error message, by sending a Tech support request. Please provide relevant background information regarding the circumstances of the error messages.

^ Back to top ^

Tech Tips

Quickly enter the date or time
To automatically insert the date in a database text field or spreadsheet cell, use a combination of the Control (Ctrl) and semi-colon (;) keys. This will insert the current system date. To automatically insert the time in a field, use a combination of the Control (Ctrl), Shift and semi-colon (;) keys. This will insert the current system time.

If the date or time are not correct, you need to check your system settings in Windows Control Panel.

This tip should also work in any MS Access database application or MS Excel workbook.

Insert a line break
To insert a line break within a text field, use a combination of the Control (Ctrl) and Enter keys. This tip should also work in any MS Access database application.

Faster applications
To make your application run faster, use the 'Optimise' or 'Compact' feature. This will clear your data file of any deleted records. The feature can be activated from Windows Start / Programs / Program group. Some product versions may have two 'Optimise' features - typically labelled 'Optimize Database' (for your data file), and 'Optimize Application' (for the main structure). Both features will reduce respective file sizes and improve speed.

The application must be closed for these features to operate. If the application is still open, an error message will be generated.

Get Help quickly!
Experienced computer users will be familiar with the use of the F or Function keys from the old DOS days. However, more recent converts are often unaware of the uses of those strange keys at the top of the keyboard. In common with many other products, when using Qudos database products, you may press the F1 key at any time to open the Help file. Not only is this a quick way to get Help - it is also context-sensitive. The Help file will open at the relevant point.

^ Back to top ^