Project-Based Result Aggregation

[nanobot]

I run a company that does network installation, testing, certification, and remediation, and one of the services I offer currently is a wireless signal map. I also currently run multiple speed-tests from different rooms on each site and aggregate those results into a map as well. At the moment, I run them via Speedtest.net, and save the result into an excel spreadsheet manually.

 

It would be handy if I could use TMN natively for it, by starting a "project" and then being able to label tests by room/location and Wireless connection type (b/g or n/ac most often) so that I can export all the results into one file to pull them into my final report. It would also be nice to have those results long-term, so that if I get a client call-back for another round of testing I can compare to the old project to see if anything has changed.

[CA3LE]

You can kinda do that right now, by using identifiers.

 

 

Then take note of the date, later query the database for that date range to only pull the results theoretically from the one site.  Maybe make a separate TMN account for these type of results.

 

I intend on making it much easier to organize in your situation by incorporating sub accounts.  Which will help keep track of multiple overall scenarios.  I like the name you just came up with, My Projects.

 

Bumping this up in my to-do list.

[nanobot]

Honestly I would pay $10-20/mo for a service (i.e. "TMN Enterprise") where I could add projects, then add buildings/floors/rooms within that project and take sampled results that I can then export either to a file or via an API. It would be nice to have a little parity in concept with the way my Fluke's work, like the below screenshot.

 

Typically, when I use the LIQ-100 or DSX2-8000 I:

1. Setup a project within the device

2. Run a test / measurement

3. Save the test / measurement with the patch number or some other label indication

4. Export into Fluke LinkWare for PC

5. Create the facility structure and sort the results into the proper location

6. Generate a PDF from the results to send to the client

 

 

With TMN, I would imagine (and prefer) a workflow like the following:

 

1. Setup a project

2. Setup the location / further structure, such as the floor, etc.

3. Run a test

4. Save the test to the project (or not) with a name (such as "Room", etc.)

5. Export the results as a CSV, JSON, or have an API to retrieve them so they can be dumped into a PDF later

 

Often, if I'm trying to do a speed test at a client site, I'm doing it either on a client PC, or I'm doing wireless testing with my laptop. Having a platform where I could log the test to my project(s) without having to totally log into TMN would be nice as well. I.e. having some type of Username -> MFA Authenticator app request to save the one result to my projects would be awesome.

 

These are just some thoughts, would be nice to have a speed-test tool I could speak to that functioned in a useful way. Even a "My Projects" would be a great start, at least then I can start using my laptop to do client-site testing and troubleshooting.

[CA3LE]

Thank you for the details, really helps.  Well underway now, I wrote about 20 kB last night and into this morning.

 

I'll update this thread.

[CA3LE]

Alright, it's coming along very nicely.

 

I'm able to enter a project name and sub name (if desired).  TMN then generates a short, friendly URL and puts it on your list.  When you visit the URL it greets the client and ties that computer to the project for 30 days.  The URL is the sign-in.

 

From your project list you can see how many results each has and query the results as you normally do.  Then export the results.  Everything in the database works the same.  Add extra identifiers on top of this to further differentiate. 

 

Just need to give it some logic for aggregating each projects sub-projects into one query, then polish the UI a little more and you can get working with the program immediately.  I think it will make things easier for you.

 

After I read your post on Wednesday I meditated for what felt like only 15 minutes, plotted it all out.  And then it just poured out onto my keyboard.  Your details helped me visualize.  TMN's framework helped put it together quickly... it was pretty much written, just had to give it instructions for this scenario.

 

I'm making this specifically for you and don't really care if anyone else uses it.  Original Members get original tools!

[CA3LE]

It can now aggregate projects with one click.  This new tool will be made available for you very soon.

 

[CA3LE]

Next I'm adding some QR codes like this one, for the secret URLs.

 

[nanobot]

6 hours ago, CA3LE said:

Next I'm adding some QR codes like this one, for the secret URLs.

 

Sweet!

 

Any way it can be setup to work in reverse? I.e. allow me to be on a desktop / laptop computer at a client site and scan it with my phone to add the test(s) to the project?

[CA3LE]

You can't add tests that have already been performed.  This works by creating side databases and then querying the new data stored.

 

You would create a project (just enter a name), it then generates a URL (a simple 5 character key).  After you visit the URL on the client machine it instructs TMN to additionally store the results in the project's side database.

 

You'd then run your tests, going from area to area... giving each unique sub ID's.  Along the way from the My Project screen you'll see the number of results and averages for each sub-project.  You can then query each database individually.  After the system sees that 2 or more sub-project databases have results for a given project it will then display the option to aggregate the databases together for you on the fly.  From that you can see all of the results and differentiate between each of your sub-projects results.  You can then click 'export' and dump all the results to CSV, again aggregated with all of the data included to help you differentiate the results.

 

I think this will be especially helpful for your use case but home users can benefit as well.  Being able to go from room to room and quickly switch the project to help build a map of possible weak areas.  It's like identifiers on a much deeper level... and then the identifiers can be used on top of this if that helps some people.

 

Great idea dude, I can't wait for you to put it to use.

 

I don't know how useful QR codes will really be... but I'm having fun.   

 

[nanobot]

9 hours ago, CA3LE said:

You can't add tests that have already been performed.  This works by creating side databases and then querying the new data stored.

 

You would create a project (just enter a name), it then generates a URL (a simple 5 character key).  After you visit the URL on the client machine it instructs TMN to additionally store the results in the project's side database.

 

You'd then run your tests, going from area to area... giving each unique sub ID's.  Along the way from the My Project screen you'll see the number of results and averages for each sub-project.  You can then query each database individually.  After the system sees that 2 or more sub-project databases have results for a given project it will then display the option to aggregate the databases together for you on the fly.  From that you can see all of the results and differentiate between each of your sub-projects results.  You can then click 'export' and dump all the results to CSV, again aggregated with all of the data included to help you differentiate the results.

 

I think this will be especially helpful for your use case but home users can benefit as well.  Being able to go from room to room and quickly switch the project to help build a map of possible weak areas.  It's like identifiers on a much deeper level... and then the identifiers can be used on top of this if that helps some people.

 

Great idea dude, I can't wait for you to put it to use.

 

I don't know how useful QR codes will really be... but I'm having fun.   

 

Wonder if it could be done pre-test then, similar to how HBO Max and such let me use my phone to scan a QR code to attach the TV/device to my account.

 

1. Open TMN on target computer

2. Click "I have a project under another account"

3. Page opens QR Code

4. Open TMN on phone authenticated to my account

5. Open camera and scan QR Code from #3

6. Add target computer to account for 24 hours (simple cookie with the info would suffice)

7. Run tests from target computer

 

Just spitballing ideas, would make it pretty painless to use this way and sticks pretty much to your original plan.

[CA3LE]

Ahhhh, I see.  I can definitely work that in there.  Great idea... super slick.

 

I'll add that, need to also add pagination (for when you have many projects listed).  Added search functionality last night, pretty cool predictive search.  Where pulls and displays the search results while you're typing.  First time I've done that, it's really nice.

 

After those elements are complete I'll reset it's databases and put it through real-world testing.  After I've tested some more I'll get it out to you.

 

Might be the fastest turn around I've done for a request, ever.  And this isn't some small thing, I've been working solid on it since Wednesday.  The main controller for this part of the program is currently 44 kB and then hooks had to be created across the rest of the program to make it play with everything.  Probably another 30 kB.  So I estimate about 74,000 characters.  And that's employing my goal of writing as little code as possible to get the same thing done.  ... I'm not just slapping crap together, you'll see.

 

I wrote it and I'm not sure how because it's been less than a week (not even 5 days yet actually).  And I didn't touch the keys until day 2, lol.  --- seriously, funny thing is I don't feel like I've done anything.  It built itself.

 

Very useful functionality, as it's coming together I can see how it will benefit many more use cases.  Can't wait to share it with you.

[nanobot]

19 hours ago, CA3LE said:

I wrote it and I'm not sure how because it's been less than a week (not even 5 days yet actually).  And I didn't touch the keys until day 2, lol.  --- seriously, funny thing is I don't feel like I've done anything.  It built itself.

If you build a good system things naturally fall into place.

[CA3LE]

Well it's definitely falling into place.  QR authorization done.

 

You can now have your phone signed in, then go from computer to computer and scan the QR code.  A couple seconds, it links up and then asks you which projected to add it to.  Once you select, the target computer magically gets authorized.  It's really cool.  Again, great idea Elliot.

 

Coming together nicely.  I'll be hitting you up for real-world testing as soon as I finish my testing.

[nanobot]

Beautiful! I don't have any on-sites scheduled this week, but I do have to go to one of my other offices tomorrow, so if it were available by then I could definitely get you some feedback by the end of the week.

[CA3LE]

I can't finish it until at least Friday but I'll let you know as soon as it's ready. 😀

[nanobot]

Sounds good, I'll be there next Thursday as well. 😉

[CA3LE]

I'll have it ready before then for sure. 😉