Important Log Notifications

Getting that all important log sent directly to you via an email or sms

Electronic Logs have enormous benefits over paper logs but......

The advantages of having an online log book over a paper based logbook are enormous. Not only is the information tightly managed but suddenly, the logs are available to the people that need them. No more having to trek down to the control room to see what is going on. Just open your browser, point it at the control room logbook and you have an up to the second view of what is happening right now.

But what if you only get a chance to look at the logs a couple of times a day, or if you are far from your computer and there is an emergency going on without you even knowing about it!

The new jLogBook has the built-in functions that directly address this situation. Essentially, you can configure the Logbook to send an email or an sms based on the content of a log just entered. Read on to find out how!

jLogBook's new Emailing Facilities

jLogBook now has a whole range of facilities that will mean you don't have to keep your eye on the logbook application all day. Here are just some of these:

• Conditional Emails:
  You can define a certain trigger condition so that, if a new Log is added that meets this condition, then the log information will be emailed or sent via sms to you. For example, you can configure the system to email you details of any log that has an emergency priority and is in the Power Area. (Priority = 1 and Area = "Power")
• Operator Specified Emails:
  You can configure a drop down multi-combo in the Logbook form which enables operators to choose recipients of the information. For example, if the operator is adding a log and he feels the information should be sent to the Technical Manager and the Shift Supervisor, then he selects these names in a special email recipients combo and an email is sent out immediately with the details of the log that has just been added.
• Emailing Shift Reports:
  If you are running the Handover Book, you can also get jLogBook to email you the shift report at the end of the shift. (See the technical paper on Shift Reports )

What does the email look like:

In the configuration, you specify the header of the email and which fields you want to be included in the email. Here is a typical email triggered from the on-line log.

This message has been added (or modified) to the Alumina Amalgamated database.
You may get more details from the online log at demo.sjsoft.com

LOGDATETIME: 11/29/04 12:11:57
AREA: precip
**STREAM: 4
EQUIPMENT: Precipitators
MESSAGE: Shutting down main line to the South Weir. Spillage has just occurred.
**PRIORITY: 1
USERNAME: admin

Modified categories are shown with a double asterix (**)

This email has been sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

What about sending an SMS to a cell phone.

SMS services now have the ability to receive an email and create an sms that will be sent out to the nominated recipient. Sms providers have different ways of encoding the sms message but as an example, if you use csoft's facility (www.csoft.co.uk) then: to send an sms to the cell number 27824402965, you would send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with the message "John, please call the office"

This fits in precisely with the jLogBook emailing facilities. Just set or select the recipient email address as This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (in the example above) and an sms will be created whenever the log trigger is met or when the operator chooses this address.

Note that sms's are very small (150 characters) so you may want to use MMS or choose your categories and headers carefully.

How does it work

The block diagram on the right shows how the St James Software Shift Report Software achieves this functionality. In a nutshell,

1. A log is entered in the control room,
2. The jLogBook server decides whether the email trigger criteria has been met (this is defined in preferences file).
3. Emails are sent out via the smtp server to the nominated recipients.
4. In the case of sms or mms messages, these go via an external or internal agency which decodes the email and sends the sms.

Smart algorithms to meet your Business Rules

The standard functionality that comes with the emailing facility is incredibly comprehensive. However, there will always be the need to add additional logic to meet your business rules. For example, if you want to send an email to everyone on a particular site who is a Technician and possibly the Supervisor for that site as well. In cases like these, we use the business rule facility. We attach a small piece of code (usually 5 or 10 lines long) to the business rule stub which then ensures that your particular business rules are complied with...no matter how complicated! Typically, this is done by our programmers, and the resulting code is made available to your engineering personnel for enhancements if required.

How can we try out this Facility?

If you already have a jLogbook application, then the emailing facilities are built in. (You may have to download the latest jLogbook)

We have also added the ability to send an email from the on-line demo. If you would like to try this out, log in under your user name and password and enter your email address in the "email to" text area. You should receive an email that relates to the log you have just added.

How can we get more information on these facilities?

View the on-line Demo
Please send me more information

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