Question 1

Does Bluehill Central replace Bluehill Universal?

Accepted Answer

No, Bluehill Central is an application for centralized management of users, templates, and data. Bluehill Universal remains the application used to control and program the Instron system. When Bluehill Central is configured in your lab, each Instron system running Bluehill Universal simply connects to the Bluehill Central database to gain access to all shared data.

Question 2

What version of Bluehill Universal is required to connect to Bluehill Central?

Accepted Answer

Bluehill Universal version 4.37 or higher is required to connect to Bluehill Central.

Question 3

Can the Bluehill Central database be shared between multiple labs and locations?

Accepted Answer

Yes, any location that can access the network domain which a Bluehill Central database is stored can connect. Refer to teams to learn about how files, users and settings can be managed when Bluehill Central is shared by multiple labs.

Question 4

How do I know if my lab can support Bluehill Central from an IT point of view?

Accepted Answer

All clients and servers must be hosted on the same network. Meaning, all copies of BHU, BHC and the SQL server database must have access to the same network.

Question 5

Can non-Instron equipment connect to Bluehill Central?

Accepted Answer

No, only Instron systems running Bluehill Universal software (version 4.37 or higher) can connect to Bluehill Central.

Question 6

What is a Bluehill Central team?

Accepted Answer

Bluehill Central allows groups of users to be organized into teams that share common files and settings. An operator’s permissions and access to files are defined by their team. This gives your lab the flexibility to support different workflows and settings depending on the group using the system.

Question 7

Do user settings need to be managed at each test system when connected to Bluehill Central?

Accepted Answer

No, all user management can be performed centrally for all connect Instron testing systems when using Bluehill Central.

Question 8

How does Bluehill know which team a user is accessing when using Bluehill Universal or Bluehill Central?

Accepted Answer

When logging into Bluehill, the user selects the team they are signing into and enter their username and password for authentication.

Question 9

Is security required when using Bluehill Central?

Accepted Answer

Yes, user accounts are required to log into both Bluehill Universal and Bluehill Central.

Question 10

Can a user be a member of multiple teams?

Accepted Answer

Yes, team administrators will need to add the user to each team.

Question 11

When a user is a member of two or more teams, can they have permissions specific to each?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a user’s permissions are specific to each team.

Question 12

Can two or more teams access the same test methods saved to Bluehill Central’s file system?

Accepted Answer

No, each team Bluehill Central file system is independent. When logging into Bluehill Universal or Bluehill Central, a user will only see the files associated with their team. If two or more teams require the same methods, one team is recommended. If multiple teams are required to support different file modification approval workflows, a file can be shared between teams by downloading from one and uploading in the other. File revision history is maintained during the download and upload operations.

Question 13

Can users save files to a local or networked location on the Windows file system (non-database location)?

Accepted Answer

Sample, PDF report, method, and report template files can be saved to local or network drives if the file type is configured with no signature requirements. If signatures are required for a particular file type, when that file type is saved from Bluehill Universal, it must be stored to the Bluehill Central database to secure the file and control its approval workflows. Note: saving a file to Bluehill Central allows access to prior revisions of the file, which is not possible when saved on local or network drive from Window’s file system.

Question 14

Can test methods and report templates be modified in Bluehill Central?

Accepted Answer

No, Bluehill Universal is used to create and modify test methods and report templates. It is recommended to have Bluehill Universal installed on computers with Bluehill Central viewers for ease of access.

Question 15

Can sample files be opened in Bluehill Central?

Accepted Answer

No, Bluehill Universal is used to open sample files to view test curves or modify calculations and results. PDF reports and export files of test results are accessible on the database. It is recommended to have Bluehill Universal installed on computers with Bluehill Central viewers for ease of access.

Question 16

What is TrendTracker used for?

Accepted Answer

TrendTracker allows Instron users to view results from multiple samples, which cannot be done in Bluehill Universal. For instance, a test lab runs 10 specimens per batch (we call this a sample). In Bluehill Universal, users cannot compare that data with a batch that was run yesterday, last week, or last year to understand if there are outliers and to identify trends in material production. TrendTracker would be opened in Bluehill Central to view results over time in a table or in a chart. Data can be searched with customizable queries to filter the results as necessary.

Question 17

Can I export historical sample data into TrendTracker?

Accepted Answer

Yes, sample files from Bluehill 2, 3 and Universal can be exported to TrendTracker to begin meaningful analysis immediately.

Question 18

What database do TrendTracker results get stored in? The same or separate database from the audit trail?

Accepted Answer

TrendTracker results are stored in a SQL database separate from the audit trail and Bluehill files. This allows legacy TrendTracker customers to keep their databases / searches and allows them to manage their data independently from the audit trail database to maximize performance when datasets become very large.

Question 19

Do results automatically get sent to TrendTracker from the Instron system?

Accepted Answer

Bluehill methods must be configured to export to a TrendTracker database. When this method setting is enabled, test results and method parameters are sent automatically when an operator presses the Finish button while testing.

Question 20

Can you export raw data to TrendTracker?

Accepted Answer

No, raw data cannot be exported. Only values from Results 1, Results 2 and Method parameters can be exported to TrendTracker. Users can toggle which of the three (if any) are exported.

Question 21

What users can export results to TrendTracker?

Accepted Answer

If a method is configured to export to a TrendTracker database, any user with ‘Test specimens’ permission can initiate an export to TrendTracker.

Question 22

Can I migrate my existing TrendTracker data to view it in Bluehill Central?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you have legacy TrendTracker and have an existing SQL database with test results, you can configure Bluehill Central’s TrendTracker module to point to your existing SQL database. Reminder – TrendTracker data in Bluehill Central is stored in an independent SQL database from Bluehill Central’s files, audit trail, and settings.

Question 23

How does Traceability comply with the guidelines of FDA 21 CFR Part 11?

Accepted Answer

Refer to our whitepaper on this topic, accessible with this link.

Question 24

Can I configure different electronic signature policies for different teams?

Accepted Answer

Yes, each team can be configured with their own signature settings to support different workflows. It is common for labs with Bluehill Central and Traceability to have a development team without method change approval and production team with 2 or 3 signatures to required to begin testing with a method. Note: regardless of signature settings, all changes are tracked in the audit trail and contained in the file itself.

Question 25

If I have local Traceability on an Instron system, can I export its audit trail into Bluehill Central?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you are upgrading from local to networked Traceability, you can export your existing audit trail directly into Bluehill Central.

Question 26

If my method files have revision history already, what happens when I save or upload them into Bluehill Central?

Accepted Answer

File revision history is retained when moving existing templates into Bluehill Central.

Question 27

Which SQL Server type is best for my lab?

Accepted Answer

For superior performance and longer data retention, use your company’s SQL Server license. Without access to a full SQL Server license, Instron can install SQL Server Express with a limit of 3 system connections.

Question 28

How many Bluehill Central viewers do I need?

Accepted Answer

A viewer license is required for each computer that intends to install a Bluehill Central viewer for TrendTracker analysis, change approvals, audit trail viewing, user management, or any other functions in Bluehill Central. One viewer is included with your Bluehill Central license. Additional viewers are available depending on your needs. Note: if your IT intends to virtualize a viewer for access by multiple employees, the unlimited viewer option must be purchased.

Question 29

Do I need the Bluehill Central viewer installed at each test system?

Accepted Answer

No, a Bluehill Central viewer is not required at each test system. Most labs choose to install viewers on employees’ computers for remote access, but some install viewers at each test system or on a shared, centralized computer in the lab. Note: Bluehill Universal itself connects to the Central database, giving users access to the test methods and samples stored on the database they need for testing or to open existing sample files.

Question 30

How many users can be created with one viewer license?

Accepted Answer

There is no limit to the number of user accounts that can be created with a single viewer license.

Question 31

Do I need Traceability and Lab Management?

Accepted Answer

If you would like the centralized file system, approvals, and an audit trail, you will need the Traceability and Lab Management option for your lab’s Bluehill Central license and each system’s Bluehill Universal license you’d like to connect.

Question 32

Is the centralized file system available without the Traceability option?

Accepted Answer

No, currently Lab Management – where the files are stored – is only available with the purchase of Traceability.

Question 33

Do I need TrendTracker?

Accepted Answer

If you would like the capability to perform batch SPC analysis on results, you will need the TrendTracker option for your lab’s Bluehill Central license and each system’s Bluehill Universal license you’d like to connect.

Question 34

Can I upgrade to networked Traceability (Bluehill Central) if I already have purchased Traceability local to my Instron systems?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Instron offers an upgrade path to move to Bluehill Central for network Traceability and other centralized management functions. Any license of Bluehill Universal that has the M1 – Local Traceability can upgrade to networked Traceability in Bluehill Central with 2450-730M3.

Question 35

Can I keep using ComplianceBuilder and upgrade to Traceability?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you currently use ComplianceBuilder (licensed by Xybion®) and would like to add Bluehill Traceability, the two applications can coexist.

Question 36

Can I integrate ComplianceBuilder audit trail information into the Traceability audit trail?

Accepted Answer

No. When you are ready to make the switch, Instron recommends archiving the ComplianceBuilder audit trail.

Question 37

Does Instron have access to our test data?

Accepted Answer

No, all Bluehill Central data is hosted and managed on your corporate domain and servers. Instron has no ability to access any data.

Question 38

What database providers are supported?

Accepted Answer

Microsoft SQL Server is the only supported database provider.

Question 39

Can we use our existing MS SQL license?

Accepted Answer

Yes, existing licenses can be used. A dedicated database will be created for storing Bluehill data. SQL Server Express is an option but has inferior performance and is limited to a maximum of three connected Instrons.

Question 40

Is this a cloud-based solution?

Accepted Answer

Bluehill Server and Bluehill Central viewer clients are both desktop applications. The SQL Server database used to store data is typically on-premise, but a cloud-based database is supported if it has access to the domain being used by the clients.

Question 41

What user authentication options are available?

Accepted Answer

Bluehill security (managed by Bluehill applications) and Windows Active Directory are the two available security types. Active Directory requires the formation of user groups to assign to Bluehill permissions.

Question 42

What is the network communication schema?

Accepted Answer

Bluehill Central uses a client/server architecture to manage the flow of data. Clients include Bluehill Universal installed at each Instron system and Bluehill Central viewers installed on any computer where a user would like to access Instron files, perform reviews, view the audit trail, or modify any settings being managed by Bluehill Central. A server application manages all the transactions between the clients and the SQL database as data flows to and from the database as users work with Bluehill Universal and Bluehill Central’s viewer.

Question 43

Are there backup options?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there is a manual backup operation to create a “.bak” file of the database, including all files stored in Lab Management, the audit trail, and all team/user settings. Automated backup operations can be configured in SQL Server. Note: if using the TrendTracker option, its data is stored in one or more independent SQL databases. There is currently no backup option in Bluehill for TrendTracker, meaning backups would be managed in SQL Server. Note: test data and results are always retained in the Instron sample file regardless of their results being exported to TrendTracker’s database.

Question 44

Are there restore options?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if a backup is available – a database backup can be restored.

Question 45

Are there archiving options?

Accepted Answer

No, there is no archive operation in Bluehill Central. Files can be downloaded and removed from the database as independent functions, but there is not an archive function to move files/data from the database to a secondary storage location. Backup and restore functions are available.

Question 46

How much storage does Bluehill Central require on our SQL server?

Accepted Answer

The storage capacity of the data servers will depend on which features your lab uses. We recommend Traceability and Lab Management users have 2TB of free disk space and TrendTracker users have 16GB of free disk space. Actual requirements vary depending on the volume of data generated.

Question 47

Can we access SQL tables to transfer data to our own databases?

Accepted Answer

No, files and results stored on Bluehill Central are intended to be accessed through Bluehill applications. Files and results cannot be transferred to external databases.

BLUEHILL® CENTRAL | FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Americas

All Other Countries

Europe

Asia Pacific

BLUEHILL^® CENTRAL | FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS