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DADAS reporting overview

An introduction to DADAS reporting - web-based viewer, report types, exports and practical advice.

Purpose

This article explains the reporting features of the DADAS platform in simple terms. It covers web-based reporting, the common report types, export formats, scheduling and the practical choices that make reports useful for operations and support.

What DADAS reports are

DADAS reports collect time-stamped measurements, system status and diagnostics into a single document. Reports can be a snapshot (now), a short period (minutes or hours) or a longer window (for example 24 hours). They are used for shift summaries, troubleshooting, incident analysis and for providing evidence during acceptance or audits.

Web-based reporting and the report viewer

Modern DADAS installations include a web-based report viewer where you can preview, edit, print and export reports. The viewer provides basic toolbar actions such as print, navigation and on-screen editing, and lets you check pages before you save or send the report. The viewer also supports multiple export formats and parameters so you can choose the best format for your audience.

Common report types

  • Generic site reports — non-regulatory reports that combine weather, motion, sea state and system status as available; used for operations and support.

  • Template reports — predefined layouts for specific needs such as helideck reporting; templates ensure consistent fields and presentation across sites.

  • Scheduled or automated reports — recurring exports sent by email, FTP/SFTP or other endpoints for daily logs and audit trails.

Export formats and practical guidance

The report viewer supports a range of export formats. Choose the format that best fits the recipient:

  • PDF — best for operator summaries and human reading; use WYSIWYG and embedded fonts for fidelity.

  • CSV — best for engineers and historians; check CSV options such as separator, codepage and the “data only” setting before export. CSV is ideal when you need raw tables for analysis.

  • Excel, HTML or RTF — useful when recipients need editable tables or spreadsheet features.

  • FPX / native format — preserves the full report layout for later re-opening and editing within the DADAS report tool. Not suitable for sharing with recipients outside the DADAS environment.

Before exporting, review these key options: - **Page breaks** — control where content splits across pages. - **Embedded fonts** — ensure text renders correctly on systems that lack the original fonts. - **WYSIWYG mode** — matches the exported layout to the on-screen preview. - **Codepage** — sets the character encoding; important for non-ASCII characters in sensor names or operator notes. These settings affect file size, readability, and compatibility with downstream systems.

Scheduling and automated exports

You can schedule reports to run automatically and deliver output by email, FTP, or SFTP. Before enabling scheduled reports: - Agree on a clear file naming convention (for example: SITE_REPORTTYPE_YYYYMMDD_HHMM). - Define a retention policy so archived files do not accumulate indefinitely. - Confirm that the delivery destination (email inbox or FTP/SFTP server) has sufficient storage and the correct access permissions. Scheduled reports are well suited to daily operations logs, shift summaries, and routine audit evidence.

Time handling and averaging windows

Reports often show both instantaneous samples and reduced values (for example 10-minute means). Always check the report’s time standard (UTC is recommended) and the averaging windows used. Differences between UI values and report values usually come from aggregation or unit differences.

What to include for useful support reports

For support and incident analysis include:

  • Start and end timestamps in UTC.

  • A tag list with short descriptions and units.

  • Averaging windows or reduction methods for each field.

  • Sensor status, quality flags and last-update timestamps.

  • Active alarms for the period.

  • A short operator note describing what was observed and any operator actions.

Troubleshooting common report issues

  • Frozen or stale values: check sensor last-update timestamps and communications indicators.

  • Different values in UI and report: verify averaging windows and units.

  • Missing sections: the data module for that section may not be licensed or installed at this site, or the report template has not been configured to include it. Contact your DADAS administrator to verify module availability or update the template.

  • Export failures (FTP/SFTP): work through the following checks in order — (1) credentials are correct and have not expired, (2) firewall rules permit outbound connections on the configured port, (3) the destination server has sufficient disk space, and (4) the DADAS server can reach the export host (test with a ping or traceroute).

What support needs from you

When you open a ticket, include:

  • A generic DADAS report covering the incident window (or the scheduled report name and timestamp).

  • The exact UTC range and a short operator note.

  • Any screenshots, alarm IDs and the “last update” times for affected sensors. Good reports help support reconstruct the incident quickly and reduce back-and-forth.

Key recommendations

  • Use UTC timestamps and state averaging windows clearly.

  • Use PDF for summaries and CSV for engineering analysis.

  • Always include sensor quality flags and last-update times.

  • Attach a brief operator note when contacting support.