January 28, 2010

The Reliability eFlash, a monthly e-newsletter, is designed to keep you up-to-date on best practices and helpful tips in Relex, a PTC Insight Product. Providing software and services to the reliability engineering field since 1986, Relex is dedicated to meeting the reliability needs of organizations throughout a wide range of industries.

Your Relex Software Team

Feature Story

Technical Backgrounder: Reliability Prediction Terms

Relex University

Register for Relex Reliability Software Training
Attend a Free Relex Webinar

Product News

Download Relex 2009 Help and Documentation Updates

From Our Customer Service Team

Managing Users with Microsoft Active Directory

Technical Backgrounder: Reliability Prediction Terms

Definitions for Ten Commonly Used Reliability Prediction Terms

Of the many tools available for performing reliability analysis, one of the most fundamental and widely accepted tools used early in the design process is reliability prediction analysis. The primary goals of a reliability prediction are to provide an upfront estimate of a product’s reliability and identify problem areas for correction, elimination, or mitigation. Reliability predictions are generally begun during the early design phase of a product lifecycle and then updated as the design matures.

To better understand how to use and apply reliability prediction analysis, it is important to learn some of the key terms used in this reliability engineering methodology. This technical backgrounder covers some of the key terms that you need to know. To read this reference document, click here.

Register for Relex Reliability Software Training

Register now to attend a Relex University training course! All Relex training classes are interactive sessions which include hands-on examples and plenty of time for discussion and Q&A. Relex training classes benefit both novice and advanced professionals, and are a great way to expand your reliability engineering knowledge.

The Relex Fundamentals classes cover basic theory, core concepts, operating fundamentals, and time-saving tips you need to get the most out of your Relex software investment. Relex Best Practices courses enable you to expand your theoretical knowledge and cover reliability theory, industry best practices, and application for real-world solutions. Register by clicking here.

For information about all Relex Training offerings, click here to visit the Product Training area of our Web site.

See a quick overview of Relex or find out more about one of the Relex modules without leaving your office by attending a Relex Webinar. A Relex Webinar is a free, interactive seminar, enabling you to watch the presenter use Relex in real time and get immediate answers to your questions. All you need to join a Relex Webinar is Web-browsing software, an Internet connection, and a separate telephone line.

For more information and to register for a Relex Webinar, click here to visit the Webinar page of our Web site.

Download Relex 2009 Help and Documentation Updates

Online help and user documentation updates for Relex 2009 are available to download from the Online Support area of the Relex Web site. This online help update will replace the help files that are installed on the Relex Server with the most recent help files available.

Managing Users with Microsoft Active Directory

With the Relex Enterprise and Corporate Editions, you can utilize the widely used directory service Microsoft® Active Directory® to manage your users. Active Directory is a software system that manages access to information by maintaining a hierarchical representation of objects, including users, groups, and resources.

Because Relex is designed to take advantage of Active Directory, Relex administrators have a head start in managing data and application accessibility. Once you have specified the Active Directory server in the directory service interface, Relex automatically transfers user and role information, eliminating redundant work and maintaining consistency. You can then map the users and groups defined in the directory to the appropriate Relex software permissions. Any changes to the Active Directory settings automatically propagate to Relex. As a result, the Active Directory integration aids you, both in initially establishing your user permissions, and in keeping your user access updated, consistent, and correct.

Relex Administrator features built-in support for Microsoft Active Directory.

Using Microsoft Active Directory, it is possible for you to be automatically logged into Relex. Your Relex administrator can use the Enable Single Sign-On check box in the Options window in Relex Administrator to indicate whether Active Directory users have to log into Relex.

With Single Sign-On enabled, Relex logins are automatic.