March 16, 2005

• EPA plans to convert the flat file EDR format to Extensible Markup Language (XML) format.  One purpose of this change is to allow EDR content to be more easily modified.  Note that XML EDR submissions must occur over high-speed internet connections.

• EPA plans to remove the Monitoring Plan data and QA/QC data from the quarterly EDR. As changes occur, or when QA/QC data is collected, or at least quarterly, users will then submit this data through a desktop tool connected to U.S. EPA's web server.  As an example, users will be able to input linearity data as soon as the test is complete and receive immediate feedback.

• This new desktop tool will replace MPC, ETS-PC, etc. and be used as the feedback mechanism before the data is ever submitted.  In other words, users will be able to correct any EDR issues, as determined by this new desktop tool, prior to submitting to EPA.

• EPA plans to release the new schema mid-year 2005, beta test with users in 2006, and require XML EDR submission for Q1 2007.

For a description of all the changes, please read the Stakeholder Update EPA Presentation.

RegPerfect Update Strategy

Teledyne Monitor Labs will be upgrading RegPerfect to support the regulatory changes listed above.  Software development will begin in mid-2005 with Beta release later in 2005.  Users of RegPerfect should be able to upgrade early in 2006 to participate in the program well ahead of EPA’s proposed deadline for compliance.

RegPerfect is currently shipping with Windows 2000 Server, but will be available with Server 2003 in April 2005.  Development for these EDR changes will only occur for RegPerfect installed on the Windows 2000 Server and Server 2003 platforms.

Due to the fact that Microsoft ended the lifecycle for Windows NT4.0 Server in 1998 and terminated support in 2002, Teledyne Monitor Labs will not be able to develop new source code on the Windows NT4.0 Platform.

In order to fully understand how an upgrade program will work for you, identify your version of RegPerfect in the following table and locate the associated “Upgrade” columns:

RegPerfect Upgrade Table

Footnotes:

¹Windows NT4.0 users must upgrade to the new platform which effectively ends the lifecycle of RegPerfect for the Windows NT4.0 platform.  Consequently, Teledyne Monitor Labs has identified April 30, 2006 as the obsolescence date for the Windows NT4.0 platform.

²Windows 2000 Server users can remain on that platform but will be required to pay a nominal fee for the XML EDR Format change.  In addition, Windows 2000 users must upgrade to the most current version of RegPerfect which supports the XML EDR Format.  There may be a nominal fee required for this upgrade though all users under warranty and all users enrolled in a software maintenance program do and will continue to receive (non-regulatory based) RegPerfect updates at no charge.

^1,2,3All Server 2003 users will receive the XML EDR format (when fully released) as part of their original purchase.  This offer to include the XML EDR Format is based on EPA requiring this modification, at the very latest, by the end of 2007.

^1,2,3All users who are currently enrolled (as of 3/05) in TML’s Regulatory Upgrade Program will receive an updated version of RegPerfect that includes the XML EDR Format plus any RegPerfect configuration changes required to support additional EDR content as may be required by U.S. EPA.  This does not include any hardware or third party software licenses required to upgrade to the Windows 2000 Server or Server 2003 platforms, if required.  This offer to include the XML EDR Format is based on EPA requiring this modification, at the very latest, by the end of 2007.

In addition to the XML EDR Format change, it is possible that U.S. EPA may require additional data (control technology, fuel type, etc.) to be included with this EDR revision.  Should this occur, changes may be required in the RegPerfect configuration that could result in additional charges.

U.S. EPA Clean Air Markets is planning another stakeholders meeting on May 2, 2005, from 2-5 PM, at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa.  For more information on the meeting, go to http://www.epa.gov/airmarkets/business/ecmps/index.html.  This meeting will take place in advance of EPRI’s CEM User Group Meeting.  Teledyne Monitor Labs will be in attendance at the stakeholders meeting and at the EPRI Conference.

Also, Teledyne Monitor Labs will be hosting several regional based RegPerfect Users Group Meetings.  These meetings start in May 2005 and run through September 2005.  TML will be providing up to date information on the EDR changes during all of these meetings and will be soliciting user feedback on implementation.  For more information on the meetings, look under the RegPerfect menu link.

Should you have any questions regarding this program, please contact your Regional Sales Manager or send an e-mail to TML_RegPerfect@teledyne.com.