Maintaining accurate time

Maintaining accurate time

Since they are real-time systems collecting timed information, QTAR Systems need to ensure they have the correct time. Most computer clocks themselves are not very accurate, and are not satisfactory as the sole source of the current time.

Since they are real-time systems collecting timed information, QTAR Systems need to ensure they have the correct time. Most computer clocks themselves are not very accurate, and are not satisfactory as the sole source of the current time.

Further, you need to make sure the time shown by all your clocks is consistent, otherwise staff may use whichever clock is most advantageous to them. Click here for more information about our radio- and quartz-controlled wall clocks. For more information, click here >>.
If the accuracy of the time depends on manual intervention, such as a computer user checking the computer time regularly and correcting it when it is wrong, it is open to human error. It may not be done, due to forgetfulness, absence while ill or on holiday, or working off-site. Worse, it may be done wrongly - the time may be set wrong by only a second or two (e.g. if using the speaking clock), by a few minutes (e.g. by referring to an incorrect clock or watch), by an hour or two (at Daylight Saving changeover), or even by 12 hours (e.g. entering 2:00 instead of 14:00). And what if they set the date wrongly, or fail to correct the date after setting the time wrong by 12 hours...?

The only way of ensuring the time is always set correctly is by automating the time correction by connecting the computer to a source of accurate time.

P & Q also supply Radio Controlled Clocks, which use a very accurate time signal transmitted from strategic points around the globe. For more information, click here >>.

Alternatively, if your computer or file system is connected to the Internet, you can configure¹ your QTAR Communications PC to retrieve the accurate time either from your own company's Time Server (if it has one), or else from one of the many Time Servers available via the World Wide Web (e.g. ntp1.npl.co.uk or ntp2.npl.co.uk). See http://www.npl.co.uk/upload/pdf/user_guide_its.pdf for more details.

Please contact a P&Q Advisor for further information.

¹ Double click the time in your Notification Area (bottom right of your screen), then choose the “Internet Time” tab. Only available for Windows XP, Vista and later versions.