PTS Comms Client Installation

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PTS allows for tracking a prescriptions progress through the dispensing process using barcodes and scanners. Barcode scanners are connected to pharmacy PCs either directly or via a base station, and software installed on the PC (known as PTS Comms Client) interprets the barcode data and forwards it to the PTS server software for processing.

How do I know if PTS Comms is already installed and running?

When it's running PTS Comms is visible as a barcode icon in the Windows notification area. It is frequently hidden, and will have to be exposed using the "^" button.

PTS Comms runs in the background and is automatically minimised to the taskbar notification area of your desktop. This is a deliberate UI decision (the application very rarely needs to be interacted with), however, it can sometimes lead to confusion around whether the application is running or not, especially as Windows will automatically hide the icon to reduce clutter.

The notification area is the space near the system clock where you can access running applications. If the icon is being hidden you can expose it by clicking on the "^" button. If you do not see the barcode icon here, the application is not running. Try to start the application manually by either rebooting the PC or double clicking the PTS Comms desktop icon. If neither of these options work, IT should be able to verify whether the application is installed (it would appear as "PTS Communications Client" in Add/Remove Programs) and proceed to install it for you using the information on this page if need be.

Downloading PTS Comms Client

The comms client software needs to be installed on any and all PCs that will be hosting a barcode scanner or base station.

Updating from a previous version

You should uninstall any previous versions of the PTS Comms Software from the PC before downloading and installing your update. This goes for major and minor updates equally.

Important note on version numbers

The version number appears at the bottom of this popup. In this example it's 5.0.2.5.

Unlike PTS 4, there is no concept of updating PTS Comms independently of the main system. You simply need to download the matching version of the PTS Comms Client for your PTS installation.

You should use the table as your guide for choosing the correct comms installer based on your version of PTS.

In PTS 5 you can find the version of PTS you have installed on the main login screen, or by clicking the "TMS Insight (Data Capture) Ltd" link at the top of any page to access the system information screen. In PTS 4, the version number is listed in the footer of the home page.

Download Links

Find your version number in the list below to download the correct PTS Comms Client installer. x86 versions are available on request.

PTS Version Number Download Link (x64)
4.5.3 - 4.6.9 PTS4Comms.zip
5.0.0.34 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EQqBCafVCORBqgRSndLx9E0BN5up9_MVnx67GNFB36XvNA?e=nBi7cV
5.0.0.35 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EeOL0SN1CVlPlxvit0PJgn0BthTgYBE_72iy81Ay-ziTdg?e=FPTYRd
5.0.0.37 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EWTY9So37eJCiLmwSNklcbIBdO8l0QthtcC5pILT_9Ld6w?e=M797PV
5.0.0.38 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EdYMI_zbCfVDgusBLFLofYgBqkBo_g8VzksWHkCYohsZ3Q?e=VvSOJ1
5.0.0.39 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EdfZwhiCR1NIoJCLaSpMVn4Bf_DxuUB-e8qm552ozqIa3g?e=CehH0U
5.0.0.40 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EXp1A9LRtMtNoFeiglzkyVYBSuJ2uwSU66fWojlR0p6-bQ?e=6wpMRG
5.0.0.41 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EYapmTpgS7VKl16kCuEjoAoBD1sma32L-4boZ3q49ioswg?e=0GTCrC
5.0.0.42 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/Eev29rsihe5OpflmpcrHdCYByQLEY0k5LQJHIzO-ls4Xzg?e=4RSBv2
5.0.0.44 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EU0mCR-lJQ1Fo7tgzk_H_zMBBDSS8ojzXCNDjMiHBiWhqQ?e=tsJ9F7
5.0.0.45 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EU0mCR-lJQ1Fo7tgzk_H_zMBBDSS8ojzXCNDjMiHBiWhqQ?e=tsJ9F7
5.0.0.47 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EZwejG2NunNNj2YdN1en0oIBAYrgrDJ1MIc5VgTptvtCLw?e=HVpKKp
5.0.0.48 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/Ec8EXLvaGqxMuWQJ0Ivlq5AB2hFqVXjRck7BOQBK7Sc5lQ?e=MX4tpO
5.0.0.49 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/ESzLqKT-fTNCqLwOUNPIDegBtWLCaUgSeQ7-5Ma262Bdvg?e=eWq4kP
5.0.0.50 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EUbiyYIcrTpHm4eC-T9qCbkB1q7AWz0ZZGQ9_etlgA4c3Q?e=Jw4Y0j
5.0.0.51 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EV9Ij5h9PFBAkLhJbX85n20B8EX8080Bw5UOCYVNNWkNbg?e=jiRxG9
5.0.0.52 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/ERywkDgFTKlNgh7KDW2RPN4BmO3pQkSKPioX6Bv805Ckuw?e=luIidh
5.0.0.53 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EamROZMjbitCh1N5LhURfpEBNnue3bxcrhR7VL2YNcZTdQ?e=pgrZc9
5.0.0.54 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EZgAVVUbWHZMiT5RX8pLNwMBH7kRkZO6xBr57rWbez6yaQ?e=doTIDw
5.0.0.55 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EehcNYBrzrpMkgd_dP5pIL8BRGJaRFkDIuLTnPpUq-qqnw?e=vIHb47
5.0.0.56 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/ETHMfkWejLxPghsq8-co7ZoBm6PofPBZJKsO5ywC4HpV9A?e=ldOdKa
5.0.0.57 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/Ed9mW28v355NiM1DFhZCUUcBo3M50pha8ABZ6Vvb1D-xGg?e=rxUahM
5.0.0.58 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EXIiDEPhn7pEqosE_qj2pZQBAtX5mbNnKAvyGEiQc-mOcQ?e=OKdQFb
5.0.0.59 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EYd5pOE1ZQdIgEhhPxoGACYBQLnbZRNsvhNRFqZl9SW88w?e=TJ1vGI
5.0.1.3 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/ES0BrrgReL1GmGLsFdhZ93IBhzWDjVibY5TdGzExsNEwJA?e=63bMYU
5.0.2.1 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EZP8yhZr2gpImb93SmPChFwBFDmBImqfzRI2TjLFsPkAEA?e=mHueW7
5.0.2.2 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/Ec1LEJYrpVZPhOJofg0rFgIBVrootMDjUuhNaj4UM7gy6g?e=OAhGbA
5.0.2.3 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EbbxZ2sQLLlNr6CPsgQsT8ABMyC5dn3--7tTun43WLLcpw?e=4NM5t1
5.0.2.4 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/Ed5lgfPUJ8ZLh2Sp4MdDa24BBHxQ2YI5vq4iXIjyARcp-w?e=DkcmhP
5.0.2.5 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/ETzeeZdzgvhAvNlXpKvF4k8BDOWahdI9Hw9lld3fwB7b0Q?e=0TnWqM
5.0.2.6 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/Eb2te7jIK7hPsL18U_u8nFYByKVbPtz24VBDRY_FDEmNyA?e=CYRfmk
5.0.3.0 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/ERl9S9rkULtKvRhgkry_OFUBLpH_33VNk7Om4vQccQTOwA?e=PSnBOQ
5.0.3.1 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EYKbUTy95HZGgXp1-VmiPlMBptgpc76tbZ54k9hY76MyTw?e=jPcuVJ
5.0.3.2 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EQCAO_caIbVKjXf-WlUAjqEBRsdDjqXTsYLYfOVmR5dqwA?e=wQyIqU
5.0.3.3 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EcZHKfQJw9hLgE5TTymZ3DMB2eBtmGwtvxcKwxJOXzYqOg?e=yiQ0bg
5.0.3.4 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/ES19d2vztzdEtdym6G3cNSkBlJegoD-D7_pS4tj-MGtnXA?e=nkrIFZ
5.0.3.5 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EQrtK7krzIlGok0p-6QBzv4BQkJKREIuqdmcAqok5mX80g?e=nBTSpf
5.0.3.6 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EQrtK7krzIlGok0p-6QBzv4BQkJKREIuqdmcAqok5mX80g?e=dI8E7D
5.0.3.7 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/Eba0PL_ljz5BjJSPt3TSOwsBT5AnI1Zg5Ju9ub-o61bkLw?e=YeU1Tp
5.0.3.8 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/ERa7qH_CDUpBmNuzTGlhS_QBTxQiDip5XcT0qhbNc82J8A?e=R6k2Eh
5.0.3.9 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EYqwJF-oQvBAo5WOeTaa5GABYE23ulwUUe1Bwiop7scHfg?e=GPL2li
5.0.4.0 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EXm74DE03UJJnK6qI-HJmmsB1GwchcEiSsZLglCFzkyI1A?e=Y5KofL
5.0.4.1 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EVPMf-fiP6VLrrrQLo-vqtoBc2yC2umArh0jJyIxIG1ekg?e=kn0cvc
5.0.4.2 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EX9X_OeR2CpGvSPjVKDVISEBMqvUgYduTZ5Y32iidEqLwQ?e=FyhqqV
5.0.4.3 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EXw51Wd_7IlMiQSPCU8T1SwB0Cq7UPo1gDvAkp3bdjUFxA?e=hiEDjD
5.0.5.0 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EeUesbjuGI9PoTLTjGjfK5cBaOE75QbfgANT0t1ooUjoDQ?e=yP1zh5
5.0.6.0 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EbOJjKNNrFNBnQFT7cqNIfsBNZMkeRr9A2Hojn5n4L7Ohg?e=puQDH8
5.0.6.1 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EeMclFX4YKtJoym-nt3I9G4BjSXEuH4-WbFUlJajt0GKRg?e=Uog0Vj
5.0.6.2 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EZ1NZxHLyddDutPxLJE5VvQBO5ZMX3QjO63LEVs0dZZvdA?e=DBk9I2
5.0.6.3 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/Ee6k-F549K9MrRxU-rOFKJ4BAqnSblHzvFYo6-hwEVxfdA?e=0Lmgin
5.0.6.4 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EZMp4P2sw05DuybhKuaWu7YB1Sl4t1YmqwpPkwCrvBAX4Q?e=fmcJZx
5.0.6.5 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EUA6E1WNzBZMse-aumIF0gUBU22yL8FF361wH7wLwhcLCg?e=STzddr
5.0.6.6 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/ETTMbE-idTdJioQT2wt6so4BI5YP8VrCPFsRJVYgqFynPg?e=4VXQNn
5.0.6.7 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EYI-Gshuu-lOrmkkRWMUXrQBiDFBUa8GQjNsgOR2tqZaTw?e=meI07I
5.0.7.0 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EfP8E1TMfR9Lrb5fTDr6RhQBqgBIaDv9vsC1hQ7yxJXPNQ?e=vaMsKl
5.0.8.0 https://tmsinsight.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/PTS/EaeT4nspIe5GiaxtXnsG0ccBh3ICyyIcQ8Is8DjVkhXt6A?e=DENb1B

Installing the PTS Comms Client (PTS 5)

Pertinent settings during comms client installation.
The status screen will show a "unable to connect to PTS web service" error if the PTS Server Details setting was entered incorrectly or was skipped.

There are some settings that require your attention during installation. Skipping these steps will result in the comms software being unable to connect to the scanning service and you will have to start again.

Manual .msi installation

Installation will require admin access on the PC. Double click the .msi file to begin. You will shortly be prompted to review three settings:

  • PTS Server Details
    Enter the URL to your PTS application here. This is the same familiar URL used to access your main application in your web browser, and takes the format of http://ServerName/PTSWeb/.
    This setting is absolutely mandatory - the application won't connect if you skip this step or enter the URL incorrectly.
  • Username and Password
    PTS offers a means to use a barcode scan as a shortcut to certain system facilities, such as opening the booking in screen. If you intend to use these you'll need to ensure a valid username and password is provided with which it can log in to PTS. If the default username & password no longer work, you can change them for working credentials here. This can be completely ignored if you have no intention of using barcode shortcuts.
  • Non-PTS Barcodes
    The software can detect when a non-PTS code is scanned. Enable this option to forward such scans on to another open application, such as your dispensing software, to reduce the need for multiple dedicated barcode scanners. Alternatively, disable this option to have PTS attempt to reinterpret a non-PTS scan as a PTS scan; such as interpreting pre-existing staff barcodes as user barcodes, or hospital number barcodes as prescription barcodes.

Typical vs. Complete

Prior to PTS v5.0.3.7, you'll next be asked to specify typical, complete or custom setup type. Typical installs Datalogic and Zebra barcode scanner drivers, complete also installs Newland and Voyager drivers. As of PTS 5.0.3.7 drivers for all scanners are installed by default.

Silent .msi installation

The installer can be run silently by passing the value of parameters in the command string: e.g.:

msiexec /i "PTSCommsSetup64.msi" /qn PTSURL=http://MYPTSSERVER/PTSWEB/ PTSSENDKEYS=True WEBUSERID=BOOKIN WEBPASSWORD=Track1ng

As of PTS 5.0.3.7 drivers for all scanners are installed by default. For prior versions, the command line can be modified to add the optional Newland and/or Voyager drivers as necessary:

msiexec /i "PTSCommsSetup64.msi" /qn PTSURL=http://MYPTSSERVER/PTSWEB/ PTSSENDKEYS=True WEBUSERID=BOOKIN WEBPASSWORD=Track1ng ADDLOCAL="MainExecutables,DatalogicDrivers,NewlandDrivers,VoyagerDrivers"

Thin clients & Virtual Desktops

See the Barcode Scanner Configuration page for details on how to configure barcode scanners for use within a VDI.

Configuring barcode scanners for use with PTS

Barcode scanners are almost never in the correct mode for use with PTS out-of-the-box. If PTS Comms is installed and running but cannot find your barcode scanner, see the Barcode Scanner Configuration page for instructions on how to configure your scanner.

Usage

Right-click the PTS Comms Client notification icon to access the Status Screen.

Day to day, you will rarely have to interact with the PTS Comms Client beyond using the connected barcode scanner in accordance with the directions on the Progressing a Prescription page. Frankly most users don't even notice that the software exists beyond the popups that appear whenever a barcode is scanned.

The status screen shows a record of the scanned barcodes and the responses that came back from PTS, which can be useful for troubleshooting or for referring back to previous information after the temporary popup has dismissed. You can access the status screen by right-clicking the PTS Comms Client icon in the notification area.

To connect a scanner and have it be picked up by the PTS Comms Client see the Barcode Scanner Configuration page.

Installing the PTS Comms Client (PTS 4)

  1. Log on to the PC on which you want to install the software with an account that has local admin rights.
  2. In Control Panel uninstall any existing versions of the PTS Comms software. Reboot the PC.
  3. Download and extract the installer to the PC. Download link is above.
  4. Run setup.exe to begin the installation. Follow the instructions on-screen leaving all the default options as they are. The installer will detect if the .NET framework needs to be installed on the PC and install it if required. The USB COM drivers for Datalogic devices will also be installed as part of the installation process.
  5. Once the installation is complete navigate to the installation folder (usually C:\Program Files\TMS Insight (Data Capture) Ltd\PTS Communications Client) and locate the PTSComms.exe.config file. If you cannot locate the file in the directory, hit Alt, then click Tools > Folder Options > View and then untick "Hide extensions for known file types".
  6. Open PTSComms.exe.config in Notepad and locate the section that reads:

    <setting name="WebServiceURL" serializeAs="String">
       <value>http://CHRIS-SURFACE/PTSWEB/PTSCommsServer.asmx</value>

    </setting>

    (it's close to the bottom of the file).
  7. Amend the value to point to your PTS application. For example if your PTS Server was called 'MyPTSServer' the section should be changed to:

    <setting name="WebServiceURL" serializeAs="String">

       <value>http://MyPTSServer/PTSWEB/PTSCommsServer.asmx</value>
    </setting>

  8. Save the amended file, overwriting the existing one. On Windows 7 and newer you may get an access denied error when trying to save the file to its original location; save the amended file to your desktop first and then drag & drop back to the installation folder. Be sure to maintain the name and extension - PTSComms.exe.config - as Notepad will sometimes try to change the file to a .txt file. You should have to confirm an overwrite.
  9. Reboot the PC - this is mandatory.
  10. Consider updating to PTS 5!
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