ECMPS Support

There is a known issue related to updating the shared database version of the Client Tool. The issue only affects shared database users who are attempting to update from the 2009 Q2 version of the Client Tool to the 2009 Q3 version of the Client Tool. The known issue does not affect users who use a stand-alone version of the Client Tool.

Shared database updates are performed by first updating the Client Tool's shared database. This quarter, users must update their shared database from the 2009 Q2 version to the 2009 Q3 version. (Service Pack 1 for 2009 Q3 only affects the Client Tool. It does not affect the Client Tool shared database.) This is done the database administrator running a script which updates the shared database.

After the shared database has been updated, each Client Tool which connects to the shared database needs to be updated. This is where the known issue occurs. Normally, users can start up their Client Tool, log in to the EPA Host System, and then be guided through the automatic update process built in to the Client Tool. However, when users attempt to start up the Client Tool, an error occurs:


Generally, this error prevents users from continuing and updating their version of the Client Tool. In order to complete the update, shared database users should follow the steps provided on the Shared Database Update page. If the shared database has already been updated, users should only need to perform all of the steps listed under item 7. After the steps have been completed, users will have updated their version of the Client Tool to the 2009 Q3 SP1 version.

After updating to the latest version of the Client Tool, shared database users should no longer receive the error. This error only relates to the 2009 Q3 update, and the error should not occur during future updates of the Client Tool.

Labels: Known Issues

Service Pack 1 for the 2009 Q3 version of the Client Tool has been released.

The service pack addresses a bug in the emission evaluation checks which erroneously produces HOURAGG-15B and HOURAGG-16B errors for ozone season reporters.

Here is how the service pack will affect users:

• Users who HAVE NOT updated to the 2009 Q3 version from the 2009 Q2 version will be required to perform one update. After the update, users will have the latest version of the Client Tool which is 2009 Q3 Service Pack 1.


• Users who HAVE already updated to the 2009 Q3 version will be required to perform one update. After the update, users will have the latest version of the Client Tool which is 2009 Q3 Service Pack 1.


• Users who need to install the Client Tool for the first time will be able to download an installation with service pack 1. After the installation, users will have the latest version of the Client Tool which is 2009 Q3 Service Pack 1.


• Shared database users should note that service pack 1 does not include any database changes. Shared database users will not need to update anything in their shared database. Shared database users can refer to the earlier descriptions of what must be done in order to update the individual installations of the Client Tool which connect to their shared database.

Labels: Release Schedule Information

On September 29th, a service pack for the 2009 Q3 version of the Client Tool will be released.

The service pack addresses a bug in the emission evaluation checks which erroneously produces HOURAGG-15B and HOURAGG-16B errors for ozone season reporters.

Here is how the service pack will affect users:

• Users who HAVE NOT updated to the 2009 Q3 version from the 2009 Q2 version will be required to perform one update. After the update, users will have the latest version of the Client Tool which is 2009 Q3 Service Pack 1.


• Users who HAVE already updated to the 2009 Q3 version will be required to perform one update. After the update, users will have the latest version of the Client Tool which is 2009 Q3 Service Pack 1.


• Users who need to install the Client Tool for the first time will be able to download an installation with service pack 1. After the installation, users will have the latest version of the Client Tool which is 2009 Q3 Service Pack 1.


• Shared database users should note that service pack 1 does not include any database changes. Shared database users will not need to update anything in their shared database. Shared database users can refer to the earlier descriptions of what must be done in order to update the individual installations of the Client Tool which connect to their shared database.

Labels: Release Schedule Information

The 2009 Quarter 3 Release of the Client Tool is now available.

For details about what was included in this release, consult the Release Notes.

In order to use the Client Tool, you must be a Designated Representative, Alternate Designated Representative, or an ECMPS agent for a Representative. In addition, you must have a CAMD Business System (CBS) user name, current CBS password, and have completed a CROMERR Subscriber Agreement Form.

All current users of the Client Tool will be prompted to upgrade to this latest version the next time that each user logs in to the EPA Host System. For more information about the Update Service which updates the Client Tool, watch the Update Service tutorial.

All new users of the Client Tool must download and install the 2009 Q3 version of the Client Tool. Users are urged to follow all instructions on the Web site and to consult the Installation Guide for step-by-step instructions on how to install the Client Tool.

In order to insure that all technical support questions are tracked and answered, EPA has requested that all technical support questions, including installation questions, should be submitted to ECMPS Technical Support.

The CAMD Business System (CBS) is back online.

This announcement replaces the previous announcement that CBS was unavailable.

Due to the system problems on the EPA Host System, which are also affecting the CAMD Business System (CBS), the release of the 2009 Q3 version of the Client Tool has been rescheduled.

The target for the release of the 2009 Q3 version of the Client Tool has been rescheduled to September 17, 2009.

Labels: Release Schedule Information

The CAMD Business System (CBS) is currently unavailable due to a database system issue. There is no current estimated time for CBS to become available. Please check back on the CBS home page for more information.

Labels: CAMD Business System, System Outage

The 2009 Q3 Release of the Client Tool is scheduled to be available on Wednesday, September 16th. In anticipation of the release, here are some of the highlights of new features which will be available in the latest version:

• An installation for 64-bit Windows operating systems will be available.


• In the Add/Edit screens, fields now retain their sort order after editing.


• In Add/Edit screens, the filter for a selected quarter will remain in place after evaluation.


• Selected quarterly emission data can be deleted from the Client Tool.


• The View Emissions screen has a monthly totals tab.


• In all data display grids, the end date and end time fields were combined to improve record sorting.


• For LME, a CSV file containing only operating hours can be imported and the remaining non-operating hours in the quarter can be generated from the Add/Edit screen.


• In the Evaluate module, during the evaluation of multiple data types, the evaluation can be stopped if CRIT1 errors are found.


• The full text is displayed in the Check Spec Viewer.

The complete list of changes, including bug fixes, will be included in the Release Notes which will be available after the release.

Recently, the CAMD Business System (CBS) was updated in order to make the online Certificate of Representation (COR) compliant with CROMERR. This is an important area of functionality in CBS because industry sources use the COR, among other reasons, to inform the EPA who are the designated and alternate representatives for a unit.

In order to be compliant with CROMERR, the process to complete the new online COR was modified. In order to assist users with becoming familiar with the new process, a tutorial has been added to CBS which explains how to complete the COR.

Similar to the ECMPS tutorials, the CBS Certificate of Representation tutorial is an interactive, audiovisual presentation with closed captioning available. The tutorial should only take about 15 minutes to complete.

The tutorial can be viewed by logging in to the CBS and clicking on the tutorial link located under the Certification of Representation link.


Note, in order to view the tutorial, you must be logged in to CBS and you must have an active relationship as a representative or source management agent with at least one facility.

This is the first of a series of CBS tutorials. Other tutorials will be available in the coming months including ones on agents, emissions compliance, and the annual auction. If you have any suggestions for other tutorial topics for CBS, contact Laurel DeSantis.

Labels: CAMD Business System, Tutorial

In observance of Labor Day, the ECMPS Technical Support Help Desk will be closed on Monday, September 7th. Technical support will be available again on Tuesday, September 8th. However, note that beginning on September 8th and continuing until the release of the next version of the Client Tool, which is scheduled for September 16th, there will be no access to the EPA Host System.

The ECMPS Technical Support Help Desk will also be closed on the following upcoming holidays:

• Columbus Day - Monday, October 12, 2009
• Thanksgiving - Thursday and Friday, November 26-27, 2009
• Christmas - Friday, December 25, 2009
• New Year's Day - Friday, January 1, 2010

You can view the full technical support holiday schedule here.

Labels: Technical Support Tip

As part of the preparation for the release of the next version of the ECMPS Client Tool, the EPA Host System will be unavailable from September 8th through September 16th. On September 16th, the next version is scheduled to be released. At that time users who have already installed the Client Tool will be required to update to the new version, and users who have not installed the Client Tool will be able to download and install the new version.

During the planned outage time, users will only be able to use the Client Tool in the "Work Offline" mode. The following functionality will not be available:

• Log in to the EPA Host System from the Client Tool.


• Perform the initial synchronization which is the last step in installing the Client Tool.


• Synchronize data from the EPA Host System.


• Retrieve data from the EPA Host System.


• Submit data to the EPA Host System.

Labels: Scheduled Outage