Xccelerated Mobile Deployment - XMD
PenFact, Inc.
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Environmental Health & Safety - Hazardous Waste Tracking and Management with PenFact’s XMD Software Protects Environment Using PenFact’s XMD software, the US Department of Energy* tracks nuclear hazardous waste materials at its Savannah River Site. Because of the inherent dangers to the environment, including the river and watershed, it is critical that every container in this seven square mile facility be accurately tracked for its location, contents, volume, and time at the facility. To prevent contamination, some containers must be destroyed or removed after only a short time in the facility. Functions the operators track with PenFact’s XMD software include:
DOE chose PenFact’s XMD software because it is easy to use - it conforms to the operators' work procedures - they do not have conform their work to the software - and because PenFact’s XMD software is a cost-effective alternative to major inventory tracking systems. PenFact used these key technologies to help the Department of Energy automate the tracking of its hazardous waste containers:
Bar codes were put on each container that, with PenFact’s XMD software, allows quick and easy scanning of waste container IDs and locations into the hand-held units for instant transmittal to the central (Access) database. Using the handheld units, the operators inspect and track the receiving, movement, and shipping of waste containers. The portable hand-held units use pen, touch screen, numeric keypad, and a bar code scanner for data input. Where bar code labels exist, operators scan the information directly into the unit. When no labels exist, they use the virtual keyboard to "type" or they write directly on the screen The hand-held units, and the PC which acts as a server for these units, contain radio-frequency network cards. With wireless RF networking, users can access the database from anywhere within their section. The RF network allows workers to transmit their data from the field without having to return to the main building. Operators literally transmit their data with the push of a single button. If they happen to be outside the range of the wireless network (they will sometimes go to other areas of the site), PenFact’s XMD software queues up their transactions and transmits them upon return to the area. This architecture ensures that the operators can always continue working, regardless of their location or the state of the wireless network. Not only is the PenFact’s XMD software system easy to use, but it provides accurate and timely information. PenFact’s XMD software accesses the database so users can view information and print reports. In addition to the reporting modules available from PenFact, users can generate and easily modify custom reports. With PenFact’s XMD software, the Department of Energy has the oversight it needs into its waste container inventory. It knows the location of each container, when it was received, and the type and quantity of the waste it contains. This saves the Department of Energy time and money when it must move a container, and helps it meet strict safety standards governing storage, maintenance, shipping and destruction of these hazardous materials before they irreparably damage the environment. In addition, the entire XMD system has passed US DOE standards for Nuclear Process Validation. Click here for another public health and safety compliance application. Click the Back button on your browser's standard toolbar to leave this page
*A reference to services performed by PenFact at the DOE Savannah River Site, under our contract with Westinghouse Savannah River Company ("WSRC"), does not constitute or imply any endorsement or recommendation by either DOE or WSRC. The views expressed on this website do not necessarily state or reflect those of DOE or its contractors or that of any U.S. Government agency.
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