PC TOPS Functions

The System is User Friendly and easy to operate, due mainly to its many built in functions. The PC TOPS Interface uses the latest pull-down menus and allows selection by Selection Bar, Hot Keys or Mouse. Some of the most common functions include:

Updating of records, (Create, Amend and Delete options), is simple, with all actions being performed form a single screen with the minimum of action. All data input is vetted and cross-referenced with appropriate Error/Advice Messages if necessary. The Unit module also allows updating by Car or by Set - whereby all Car Nos belonging to a Set are updated together.

Context-Sensitive On-Line Help facility - press the F1 function key and the appropriate help screen will be displayed, no matter where you are in the system.

Enquiry Builder with Save option. This allows complex queries to be 'built' and run against the current database. Database field(s) can be selected and data can be extracted using the boolean expressions: Equal to, Not Equal to, Contains, Less Than, Greater Than, etc - these can then be joined by using OR & AND to build up your query. Complexed queries can be saved and loaded and run again at a later date. When the query is run, the data is filtered to match the query.

Quick Filter functions are included as an alternative to the Enquiry Builder where a simple query is required - similar in operation to the old fast enquiry. A count of filtered data will also be displayed. Also included in the quick filters is a function to allow any combination of Sighting & Current or Withdrawn Locos (Units, etc) to be filtered. Any combination of options: Locos Seen, Not Seen, Both Seen & Not Seen compared against All Locos, Withdrawn Locos, Locos Not Withdrawn. (eg) selecting Not Withdrawn & Seen+Not Seen, will filter the data to display all the current Tops Locos.

Set Order function to instantly change screen ordering. With only two mouse clicks the ordering of the data can be changed in an instant, for example: from Number order to Depot, Sector or Livery order - this also works with filtered data.

There are many varied reports in the system. These can be utilised with the Enquiry Builder and Quick Filter to allow you to produce an unlimited amount of different report output.

New Editing and Navigation Facilities. All the modern editing facilities are now available including Copy, Cut & Paste...etc. Also included under the Record menu pad are database navigation functions including First, Last, Next, Previous, Seek,...etc. The Seek option is interactive. For example, using Tops Loco, if you type in a number (say) 56128, the screen display will respond to your typing. When you enter 5, the screen will 'Seek' the first number in the database beginning with 5 (ie 50001), 56 the first number beginning with 56 (ie 56001), etc.

An Import Data function is now available for the Tops Loco, Unit & Coach modules. This was introduced at the request of many users who had not been updating their system. A new set of up-to-date data files for any or all of the modules can be purchased from us at any time and can be loaded into your existing system. Don't worry about losing your existing sightings - during loading you will be asked if you wish to transfer your sightings across to the new files! The Loco Import replaces all 10 Loco system files. The Unit & Coach Import replaces the 4 files used by each module.

Last revised: 12 June 1998