Pulse System (Software)

Using the Pulse PC Utility, a user can print receipts for each dispense assigned to a work order. Pulse requires that this utility program be installed on a Windows machine that has access to and drivers for the targeted printer. Please visit pcutility.gracopulse.com to download the Pulse PC Utility. Note: You’ll need to disable a pop-up blocker, as this is a direct download page.

Extenders turn on almost immediately. However, it can take up to 30 seconds or so for the Extender to rejoin the network that it was discovered on.

You can either set up a password or have Pulse send the user an email with a link to set up their password. This way the installer doesn’t need to provide temporary passwords. This will only work if Pulse has been configured with an outgoing email server. To set up the outgoing email server, select Application Settings and then select Email Settings and complete the required fields.

This depends on the cabling used, please consult with technical information from the cable and networking equipment manufacturers. Generally, it’s about 100 meters (328 feet) before hitting a switch/router.

For Hubs, Extenders and Remote Extenders, mounting the device in a place that ensures a clear line of sight to the devices connecting to it will work the best. Oftentimes this may be high up on a wall. Devices must be accessible in the event they need to be power-cycled.

Pulse does not allow multiple users to use the same email address, as an email address can be used instead of a username to log in to the system. The system requires either an email address or a password for each user therefore email addresses are not required to create a user. If a user has no email address, it is recommended that a password be given to them. This could be an arbitrary password, such as Pulse1, especially if this user is not expected to access Pulse (i.e., Basic or Coordinator). If email is used, the intent is to send an email message to a new user to set up their password. This will only work if Pulse has been configured with an outgoing email server.

Yes, the SD card is only used for backups and to restore the Hub in case of failure. 

The IT department needs to ensure ports 80 and 443 are open for the Hub. Ports 80 and 443 are generally associated with the internet. Port 443/HTTPS is the HTTP protocol over TLS/SSL. Port 80/HTTP is the World Wide Web. Ports 80 and 443 are generally a given for being open on any type of filtering device allowing outbound traffic on your network. If other PCs can access the internet, the Hub should be able to as well. 

All Pulse users need a password to log on to the system. But some basic technicians may never need to log on.

If email is configured through an external SMTP server, select Test Connection on Application Settings -> Email Settings.

On Application Settings -> Time Settings, an error message will appear if the NTP server cannot be reached (this implies that at least part of the internet is blocked to this device). It may take about 30 seconds to come up.

There is a finite network capacity for the device network. Certain devices, such as the Hub and Extender, contribute to the overall network capacity. Remaining network capacity gives an estimate of how many devices can be added to the network. The intent is to provide a troubleshooting method to know when the device network is full or if an Extender is full. 

Example: If you have a device that is having connection issues, we would recommend checking the network capacity for the network and for each individual Hub or Extender to ensure that a new device should be able to join this device network. If there is an Extender at 0, that would suggest that an additional extender should be added to that area to improve the robustness of the system.

For network health, reviewing Diagnostics Logs -> Device Status Report is recommended.

Technicians must be BASIC users.

Meter Profile:

• Fixed Preset – Set Preset to a nominal minimum (value that should be used if Parts Room forgets to assign a dispense volume for the work order)
• Use work orders
• Work order entry at the meter

A volume must be assigned when creating work orders.

Yes, one fluid can be associated with more than one tank. A work order associated with a fluid will be accessible by any meter assigned to that fluid unless there are additional assignments to the work order (e.g., Tech, Location or Meter).

The offset allowed in the software is currently limited to 12 inches. If the tank is vertical, there may be a couple of ways to game the system to give you an appropriate measurement. Assuming a vertical-style tank:

1. Define one point that would be the tank’s maximum fluid volume and maximum fluid level.
2. Define one point that is the fluid height for the down tube to the sensor, and the maximum fluid level plus 1 gallon. For example, for a 2,500-gallon tank that is 10 feet tall (120 inches) and has 4 feet (48 inches) of down tube, the tank profile may look like this: 

Tank capacity = 2,501 gallons
Tank shape = non-standard, with a strapping table that has three rows of data:
1) 0 inches of fluid level = 0 gallons of volume
2) 120 inches of fluid level = 2,500 gallons
3) 168 inches of fluid level = 2,501 gallons

Diagnostics Logs -> Device Events. This location will show logon attempts that occur outside of business hours.

The easiest way to differentiate the meters is by the button color and a wireless symbol on the trigger guard. SDP meters use a gray button pad and SDM meters use a black button pad.

The Hub retains all dispense history. The SD card holds database backups including dispense history. The SD card is 8GB and can store a history of greater than 2 million dispenses.

If the meter is configured for PRESET or FIXED PRESET it will use the preset value set by the work order or by the PRESET setting. The manual limit applies only to a meter operating in MANUAL dispense mode.

Yes. There are use cases where a work order may require multiple fluids. For example, oil and windshield wash. The system limits dispensing to one dispense per fluid per work order.