Recommended PC requirements are: Pentium IV >2GHz, Windows XP Pro as operating system, 512 MB RAM, 500MB free HD space, USB 2.0, a broadband internet access and a wheel mouse.

You also require NOAH 3.5.2 with eTONA to enable electronic ordering. The scanner and Siemens e-ordering software eForms™ will be supplied by Siemens.  

Question: How do I keep my system up to date with the latest technology and ordering options?
Answer: During the installation process, an online update manager will be installed together with the Siemens eOrdering system. The update manager processes updates received whilst online. Online updates are provided for eOrdering software, the product database and the iScan software.

The online update manager can be configured for automatic downloading in the background, or you may choose manual update checking. To do this, simply start the update manager via Start->Programs->Siemens->Update Manager.

Alternatively, you can start the update manager from the Siemens order form, under the Help menu. If you require any assistance, you should contact your Local Siemens Technical Support Team.



During scan process

Question: How do I position the ear impression into the scanner?
Answer: Before you put the impression on the magnetic holder, it is suggested that you remove the “otoblock” and cut the string.
Place the impression onto the three pins of the magnetic holder – the pins go into the “flat” side of the ear impression. The three pins can also be used to indicate the horizontal line by matching it with the horizontal line you marked on the impression. Then place the magnetic holder into the cut-out on the scanner turntable. There is only one position that the magnetic holder plugs into securely. When you have the right position you will hear a clicking sound and the magnetic holder will stay firmly in place.

Question: What happens, if I open the scanner during the scanning process?
Answer: Because of the optical scanning technology ambient light must be avoided during scanning. Therefore the system will stop and display a message indicating the chamber lid is open.
Any data collected to that point will be lost. The scan has to be restarted after closing the lid.

Question: Can I scan all ear impressions?
Answer: For best results you should use silicone material. The colours displayed in the colour chart in the animation work well.
White and black (or other extremely dark colours) should be avoided.
Transparent and semi-transparent material and methylmethacrylate (i.e. powder/liquid mix) cannot be used.
Please en sure that the surface of the silicone impression is not oily or shiny, in order to avoid optical reflections .

Question: Can I scan an existing custom hearing instrument?
Answer: Yes, however, at this time there is not a special holder available for this. A special holder for this purpose will be added to the system in the near future.



Logistic

Question: Where can I order a scanner?
Answer: Please contact your Siemens sales representative.

Question: Can I use the scanner to scan orders for different manufacturers?
Answer: Yes, that is possible, if your other manufacturer has a license for accessing iScan data. Please contact your other manufacturer for more information on this topic.

Question: I have heard that 3D data create large files. Do I need a new hard disk?
Answer: Actually, the iScan files that are saved are of reasonably small size as they are stored in compressed format. The size for each scan is about 150-200 kB. If you send a binaural order including a scanned impression for both ears, the size of the data to be transmitted is about 300-400 kB.



Security

Question: How safe is the system against viruses?
Answer: Filling out the order form takes place offline. eTONA connects to Siemens only when it needs to send the order and when it receives the order status. That happens without opening a web browser application such as Internet Explorer. For online data transmission the https protocol is used which is based on the SSL (secure sockets layer) technology - similar to that used in online banking.

Question: I do not want to transmit customer data. Is that possible?
Answer: The Siemens order form integrates the audiogram, patient name and age from the NOAH database automatically. If you don’t want to pass the patient name and age to the manufacturer you may overwrite or delete the data.

Question: Will my ordering be lost if the online connection is lost?
Answer: With eTONA you don’t need a continuous online connection. Usually you will enter the order in offline mode. As soon as you submit the order, eTONA starts an online connection and sends the order to the manufacturer. If for some reason the online connection cannot be established, eTONA tries to re-send your order at a pre-set interval until the order transmission is successful. In that case your submitted order stays in the local queue on your PC and is noted in the eTONA transaction browser under 'order status information’ as “queued“.If your order has been successfully received, the status is displayed as “received”.



During order process

Question: Can I start an order and finish it later?
Answer: Yes, you may save the order any time in draft mode without sending the order. The eTONA transaction browser indicates the status as draft. You can open the draft order via the transaction browser and complete it at a time more convenient to you.

Question: How can I delete an order?
Answer: If you want to cancel an already submitted order, you must call your customer service hotline in order to have it stopped in the system. You will receive a cancellation confirmation via e-mail or Fax. In addition the eTONA transaction browser indicates the order status as cancelled.

Question: I would like to see the status of my order sent.
Answer: You can view the status of your order any time you want. The status is displayed in your eTONA transaction browser. The most important status items are:
Draft: Transactions partially created with a product order module, but not yet completed and, therefore, not yet sent to Siemens.
Queued: Transactions created with a product order module, but not yet sent to the manufacturer by eTONA.
Transmitted: Transactions sent to the manufacturer.
Received: Transactions received by the manufacturer.
Accepted: Transactions accepted by the manufacturer.
Product Received: If you ship a product which is then received by the manufacturer- for example, an ear impression or a product for return or repair.
Production Status: The ITE is in the manufacturer’s production process.
Shipped: Products - orders, repairs or warranty extensions - shipped by the manufacturer.
Cancelled: Transactions cancelled by the hearing care specialist or the manufacturer
Transmission Failure: Transactions that eTONA has not been successful in transmitting – transaction will automatically be resent.

The eTONA transaction browser provides the status of all your orders. If an order has been submitted, eTONA enquires in fixed time periods the status from the manufacturers and indicates the status in the transaction browser.

Question: I have heard that you offer order validation - what does it mean?
Answer: The Siemens custom instruments order form eForms provides a 100% validation. The system displays only the valid order options and checks automatically for invalid option combinations.

Question: Do I have to be online all the time?
Answer: No. You can simply fill in the order offline at your PC and include the 3D scan data. eTONA looks after the submission of the order via an online connection whenever needed.