Certificate to Operate (CTO) approved for USAF Networks on February 26, 2009!  Check with your COMM folks, TCMax should now appear on the approved software list or contact us for a copy.

Message 241155Z SEP 08 from USAF A4 now allows the use of software other than TAS (read into that TCMax) for anyone in the USAF.

Now the standard tool control software for AMC, AFRC, and ANG.

TAS migration tool reads your legacy TAS data including tools, T.O.'s, spares, kits, issue history, T.O. inspections, and currently issued tools into the TCMax database.  It creates separate "shop codes" based on the first four of the WWID which TCMax uses in an enterprise fashion to separate your data while allowing management to see data mixed together.   The correct latest version is 2.0.137  If you have a previous version of the TAS migration tool please download it via www.soaringsoftware.com/tcmaxl5/TASImport.exe and save it into your c:\Snap-on\TCMax\ folder

TAS has a built in back door that allows anyone to open the database that knows the back door log in procedure and it is quite easy.  Security is almost nonexistent.  TCMax has no back doors.  No one can get into TCMax data without the database password.  An administrator can change that password but you first must know the original password or you are locked out.

Print AF 2005 order forms directly from TCMax from 4 different screens!  T.O.'s are identified by checking the T.O. check box.  There is a special inspection report for T.O.'s.  New status of a tool is displayed in bold blue letters at the top of the main screen when you scan a tool without turning it in.  MIL reports, five versions to fit your needs.  Spares reports.  And now you can substitute your unit logo for the Microsoft mechanic in the upper left of the MIL reports.

AF 1297 Temporary Issue (Hand Receipt) printed with Ctrl-E

WRM equipment, you store the WRM calibration date (typically 520 days from the actual calibration) in an inspection titled WRM.  If you issue the item then the WRM inspection is deleted and the Calibration Due Date is automatically set to the new real due date based upon the interval that was in the inspection.   TCMax says "Attention"  to warn you to write the new calibration date on the item. To everyone else, WRM is equipment that is in storage and is calibrated every 520 days as long as it is not used.  Once it is used the calibration date changes to a much shorter interval.  We now automate this process.

Although seeing the current list of issued tools only requires a single keystroke (Alt-S) with TCMax, one ANG customer asked to be able to see the issued tools list while actually issuing and turning in tools.  That is now added with Ctrl-S.  This new issued tools screen covers most of the right side of the screen, and automatically hides itself when necessary.

Create a deployable TAS database set of files by issuing your tools and equipment (just like TAS) then press Ctrl-Z to select all tools issued to either a specific person or a specific location.

Kit Builder screen (Ctrl-K) allows you to easily build tool kits, copying from an existing kit, moving from an existing kit, copying from any existing stock, and copying from the Snap-on tool box.  This kit building screen does not need all of the extra clicks required by TAS.

We have added the ACC Form 140 (CTK inventory & Control Log) and we were about to add the ACC Form 146 (Missing/Removed Tools and Equipment) when we realized that the only reason to have these forms is because of the limitations of TAS.  With TAS you can NOT issue tools out of a tool box because TAS fails to identify each tool with a barcode number of its own.  With TCMax, tools are assigned to a tool kit via our Parent barcode number.  And since each tool in TCMax has its own unique ID you can issue things out of the tool box.  With TCMax, missing and broken tools are issued out of the box and tracked in the Issued Tools screen like any other tool.  And if you should try to issue the tool box at a later date you get a "Caution tool removed!" warning.  So, for now the ACC Form 140 remains but we are holding off on the ACC Form 146 as it would not be required when using TCMax.

The following paragraphs are meant for aircraft maintenance organizations that have the mandate to use TAS.  We have already had great success with other USAF organizations such as Security Police using TCMax to issue virtually everything including weapons.

TCMax^® asks you where you are taking your tools providing a permanent audit trail of who, what, and WHERE each tool has gone.  TCMax lets you use anything, one to 50 characters, alpha numeric to identify tools and equipment and employees, even using your military or civilian ID card.

TCMaxMobile mode of operation allows you to do a flightline inventory of all items currently issued by simply scanning all barcodes on the flightline.

New, our user manual shows you how to document end of shift or end of day inventories by simply scanning three barcodes.

One more USAF requirement that TAS fails to comply with, tracking Hazmat items.  One unit's MSEP inspection revealed a requirement to track where hazardous items are used and where a bottle currently in use is located.  The Hazmat Pharmacy labels everything with barcode labels however TAS can not use that barcode as the barcode does not fit the very limited TAS 9 digit code.  New in TCMax version 7.1 and newer, track hazmat consumption by weight of product used!

TCMax Advantages:

Contact us if you would like more information or a TCMax CD.

New things recently added to TCMax for USAF

1. Press F1 while on the main screen to get a reminder page of the shortcut keys
2. AF2005’s, print them from the main screen, tool search screen, purchase order screen, and the ‘Show tools that are out’ (issued tools) screen
   1. From the main screen press Ctrl-2  (for 2005) when a tool is displayed on the main screen
   2. From the search, PO, or issued tools screens there is a menu option to print the 2005
   3. Print selected line item or all items in the table
   4. Three copies of the 2005 appear on a single page
   5. Setup your defaults for delivery destination, shop codes, etc in the Other Reports/ US Military reports screen
   6. Setup also from the main screen by pressing Ctrl-5 (also for 2005)
3. With no employee number/work location on the screen, scanning a tool barcode will display the item and if is currently issued it will tell you who has it and where they have it in bold blue letters at the top of the screen
4. T.O.’s now have their own reports for inspections.  TCMax knows it is a T.O. when you check the new T.O. check box on the lower right portion of the main screen, on the Purchase Orders & Misc. tab
   1. Remember there is an “Inspection Update” mode of operation in TCMax.  Use that when you are doing things like updating T.O. inspections, it is faster then clicking the Edit button on the main screen to manually update the inspection but either way works.
5. MIL report, optionally print a single tool box
6. Barcodes added to CTK MIL report optionally
7. Timer to automatically clear the employee/location from the screen after a preset time, can be set in 1 minute intervals, minimum of one minute
8. Duplicate button now optionally duplicates all children too.  So, create one Kit (tool box filled with tools) and click the duplicate button and you get another tool box, filled with tools with proper parent/child relationships
9. TAS Import tool
   1. Multiple shops, you can now select all shops, all base codes, or limit the import to a single base code and/or a single shop
   2. Inspections are now imported
   3. Each tool is assigned a “Shop Code” that is based on the first four of the WWID.  In TCMax the shop code can be used to separate tools and equipment so you only see your shop’s stuff.  Management can see multiple shops or all shops if they like
   4. T.O.’s automatically check the new T.O. field in our STOCK table
10. New CTK reports
11. Optionally we capture characters 2-15 of the CAC card for those with a 2-D barcode scanner
12. The new F9 key will bring up the first four of your WWID (actually brings up the tool prefix from the Preferences screen)
13. USAF Preferences button on the Maintenance/Preferences screen ID card tab will set many of the new options automatically.
14. Label Maker program, new label type with Parent barcode on top, Description on bottom, barcode in center for the tool itself.
15. We were asked by one unit to optionally, with a single keystroke, send an order to Quizno’s to place an order for sub’s … we failed to add that and it is not on our to do list.
16. Kit Builder screen
17. Attachments for every tool that automatically display themselves with a Ctrl-A for MSDS's
18. Attachments for every tool based on barcode number used for maintenance history records
19. Table that shows all currently issued tools visible from the main screen

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Last modified: January 13, 2009