Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

General Questions

Your best first choice is using the Calibration Control Help Topics, which are updated regularly.  If you need live help, send us an email or give us a call.  If you need more help than an email or a short phone call can resolve, you can request a screen share meeting.

We use a per-seat pricing scheme with either a Per-Seat (default) or Concurrent (at the same time) option.  Also, the seats are defined differently depending on whether or not you've enabled user authentication (sign-in) mode.  Here are a few examples:

2 seats, No Sign-In

  • Per-Seat License: Two computers in total can connect to the DB.
  • Concurrent License: Two computers can connect to the DB at the same time.

2 seats, Sign-In Enabled

  • Per-Seat License: Two Users can be created in the application and can connect to the DB.
  • Concurrent License: Unlimited Users can be created in the application but only TWO Users can connect to the DB at the same time.

One of the things to remember is that when sign-in mode is turned OFF a User is defined as a computer.  When sign-in mode is turned ON a User is defined as a Person who can sign in, who has a security role (i.e., can make changes in the database).  Therefore, when sign-in mode is enabled, you can have many additional Users who cannot make changes (read-only) and these Users are not counted for licensing purposes; they're free.

Check out Calibration Control's Pricing Page.

That's up to you.  12 months of free updates and free basic technical support are included in the purchase price of our software.  At the end of 12 months you'll receive an annual renewal invoice at a 50% discount (if paid before the end of the 12 months).  If you choose not to renew, you can continue to use the version you're already using indefinitely.

Refer to our standard Software Maintenance Agreement (SMA) for more information about what's included in the annual agreement.

You can continue using the version you're already using indefinitely.  For example, if your Software Maintenance Agreement (SMA) expires on January 1, 2020 you can download and use all versions released before that date.
We've been in business since 1992 and we're still going strong.  Our business started with the release of a Quality Assurance book and a Computer Program.  The book was An ISO 9000 Implementation Plan and the Program was Calibration Control.

Very!  We digitally sign all of our download files with a SHA-256 (Secure Hash Algorithm) issued specifically to Ape Software by Digicert.  This process protects users from downloading compromised software, prevents tampering, and provides the trusted assurance of authentication.

Also, we never include add-on software like browser add-ons or other malware.  When you download our software, you're downloading only our software.

We implemented a number of features specifically to help organizations comply with this FDA requirement.  Check out our 21 CFR part 11 page for a list of these features.

Training is not included because the free quick technical support (10 minutes phone calls) usually covers most issues!  But if you need more time, we can schedule screen shares and bill you at the end of the month (assuming we have an existing relationship).

Or, if you prefer, you can add an hour or two of Basic Training Support in your initial purchase because you can use that prepaid time for screen share training at any time while your license Software Maintenance Agreement is active (unexpired or renewed).

Calibration Control Questions

We created the online Calibration Control Help Topics to be useful for existing, as well as prospective, users.  Within these help pages, you can search by keywords and you'll find TONS of useful tips!  They hold LOTS of helpful screen shots and definitions, plus videos and animated GIFs demonstrating steps, all helping to show you what you can do and give you a better feel for the product.

Don't forget that one of the best ways to figure out if Calibration Control meets your needs is to download it and try it out for free.  Check out these simple instructions to download a free fully-featured 30-day trial: Download Instructions

There are several ways Calibration Control lets you know when Equipment needs to be calibrated.

  • Grid Shading:  When equipment is past due, it has a pink background in the Equipment Grid.  When it's soon due, the background is yellow.  Check out the Highlight Colors help topic.
  • Browse Due Cal:  Click on the [Browse Due Cal] menu item and you'll see a grid of nothing but the Past Due and Soon Due Equipment.
  • Calibration Due Report:  Print a formal report of all the Equipment Due for Calibration by clicking on the [Due Cal Report] button in the ribbon menu.  This report is completely editable.  Check out the Calibration Due Report help topic for more information.
  • Calendar:  Use the Calendar feature see how many equipment are due for calibration on any given day of the calendar.  Refer to the Due Cal Calendars help topic to learn more.
  • Auto Emails:  Calibration Control can also automatically send reminder emails with list of equipment to Custodians, Technicians, Owners, Department Managers, etc. letting them know that their equipment is due for Calibration.  Refer to the Auto Notify Utility help topic for instruction on how to set this feature up.

We can import your data for you!  We don't have a single automated method to import your data because everyone's data is different so importing is a manual process.

Check out the article on importing data for much more information on the subject.

Yes, but perspective really makes a difference.  If your external auditor is asking for validation, she's usually referring to a standard that talks about software you design in-house that is used inside products that you produce and sell.  In this scenario, you define the requirements of the software before creating it, create the software, and then validate that the software met your initial design requirements.

With off-the-shelf software like ours, we didn't design it specifically for one scenario in one organization.  Therefore, we won't have the same list of initial requirements to validate against as you might.  Since our software is continually improved with new features and bug fixes, the validation reports we create address these specific product advancement goals.  In other words, our validation reports are created from a different perspective than an end user organization.

If you would like a copy of the most recent validation report, just ask us.  If you need us to generate a new report for the current version, we charge for that service.

The software application itself will tell you.  When you first start the application, it checks with the website to see if it's the most current version.  If a new version is available, you'll receive a notice in the application that a new version is available for download. You can also see version releases in the Latest Changes section at the bottom of our website.
The Sample Calibration Procedures are intended to give you an idea of what calibration procedures look like or to serve as initial drafts of your own internal procedures.
Yes!  Currently it's available in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Danish, and Mandarin (Chinese).  Please contact us if you need an additional language.