Backstage View (File Tab)

The Backstage view (File tab) is the first view you will see when you start a Synthesis desktop application. This topic provides a summary of the commands available in the Tab Pane on the left side. For information about the right side, see ReliaSoft Online Pane.

Opening and Closing Repositories

Open Repository opens an existing standard database (*.rsr10), enterprise database (*.rserp), Synthesis file (*.rsf10) or a compressed standard database (*.rsgz10).

Close Repository closes the database. You also can close the database by opening another database or by exiting the application.

Recent shows a list of recently opened database files (*.rsr10, *.rserp and *.rsf10) and a list of recently accessed locations. Clicking a database will open it, and clicking a location will allow you to browse for databases in that location. The number of items in these lists is set in the Synthesis Settings page of the Application Setup. You can pin items to a list by clicking the pushpin icon associated with the item; when the pin is vertical, the item will not roll off the list.

Save and E-Mail

The following commands are available only when a standard database or Synthesis file is currently open.

Save saves all recent changes to the Synthesis file (*.rsf10). This command is not applicable in a standard or enterprise database, because the changes are saved automatically as you work.

Save As saves a copy of the standard database or Synthesis file to another pathname/filename and/or file type. You can save the file as a new standard database (*.rsr10), Synthesis file (*.rsf10) or compressed standard database (*.rsgz10).

Pack and E-mail sends a compressed version of the standard database or Synthesis file via e-mail.

Launch Application

Launch Application provides quick launch icons for other Synthesis desktop applications that are installed on your computer. If you are currently connected to a database when you click one of these icons, the same database will automatically be opened in the new application.

Manage Repository

Security

User Groups create and manage groups of users that can be assigned throughout the current database.

Prior Logins displays a list of prior logins to the current database and allows you to export this information to Excel.

Reset "In Use" Flags allows you to reset the flags that indicate the "in use" status of projects or items within a project.

Lambda Predict Repository Settings

Manage FIDES Settings defines the settings related to the FIDES prediction standard such as process audits, pi factors, categories, etc. (See Manage FIDES Settings in the Lambda Predict documentation.)

Manage Custom Derating Standards allows you to add, edit, delete or import/export custom derating standards. (See Creating Custom Derating Standards in the Lambda Predict documentation.)

Custom Connections defines custom connection types for use with the MIL-HDBK-217F prediction standard. (See Custom Connection Types in the Lambda Predict documentation.)

Profiles and Templates

Profiles/Library Manager configures the predefined settings of the profiles stored in the software library. Profiles allow you to customize the look, drop-down lists, rating scales and other settings of a particular project in order to fit the needs of the analysis. (See Profiles/Library Manager in the Xfmea/RCM++/RBI documentation.)

Templates Manager allows you to manage the configurable templates that can be used for customized reports, saved queries or importing/exporting data via Excel. (See Templates Manager in the Xfmea/RCM++/RBI documentation.)

Repository Settings

Time Units

Manage Units defines the time units that will be available for use in any project within the database. This allows users to work with time-based inputs and results in the units that are appropriate for the situation.

Names and Categories

Define Default Names specifies the default names for new Synthesis resources, as well as new blocks in BlockSim RBDs, fault trees and phase diagrams. It is not applicable for MPC.

Define Categories defines the categories that can be used to filter and group data throughout the database.

Task Types (applicable only in RCM++, RBI and MPC)

Task Types maps the task types used in RCM++ and RBI (e.g., Restoration, Failure Finding, etc.) to the corresponding task classes in the universal reliability definition (e.g., Preventive, Inspection, etc.) so that simulation and cost calculation results are accurate. (See Task Types in RCM++/RBI in the Xfmea/RCM++/RBI documentation.)

In MPC, it allows you to modify the abbreviations used for the MSG-3 task types. (See Task Type Abbreviations in MPC in the MPC documentation.)

Backups and Database Maintenance

Restore Points manages all of the project backups that are stored in the current database.

Compact and Repair is available only in a standard database (*.rsr10) or Synthesis file (*.rsf10). It helps to reduce the size of the database and protect against data loss and corruption. (See Backups and Database Maintenance.)

XFRACAS (not applicable for MPC)

XFRACAS Connection is available only in a standard database (*.rsr10) or Synthesis file (*.rsf10). It is applicable for the Synthesis Data Warehouse in Weibull++, ALTA and RGA, and also in Xfmea/RCM++/RBI.

Dashboards (not applicable for MPC)

Dashboard Layout Manager shows all of the predefined dashboard layouts that will be available for any Synthesis user to view for a particular data set.

Project Planner (not applicable for MPC)

Project Planning Resources defines the cost categories, teams, materials and facilities that are used for tracking costs, man hours and resource utilization in actions and Project Planner gates.

Working Days/Holidays specifies the business days when project planning resources can be utilized.

Other Settings

E-mail and Other Settings contains other settings, such as enabling alerts via e-mail or SMS, activating the history log, etc.

Enterprise

Repository Creation opens a wizard that leads you through the steps to create a new enterprise repository (SQL Server or Oracle database). To use this option, you must have access to a server with a supported version of SQL Server or Oracle and you must have the appropriate permissions to create a new database on the server.

Upgrade Version 9 Repository converts an existing Version 9 enterprise database to a Version 10 enterprise database. This cannot be undone. It is recommended that you create a backup of the Version 9 database before performing the upgrade.

Upgrade Version 8 Repository copies all of the existing data from a Version 8 enterprise database to a new Version 10 enterprise database.

Import from Prior Version is available only in Xfmea, RCM++ and RBI. It allows you to import data from a Version 5 Xfmea/RCM++ database. This command is available only when you are connected to an enterprise database and have the "Manage users and logins" permission and the applicable "manage projects" permissions.

Help

The Help Center provides a variety of resources to help you use the application more effectively. In addition, the Help Center displays information about the application, including the Compile Release Version (CRV) and License information.

Application Setup

Application Setup allows you to set your personal preferences for working with analyses, such as the math precision, default plot settings and the like. The settings apply only to the current computer/username, and they do not affect the results of the analyses. (See Application Setup.)