Overview of data collection methods for sampling plans

To import data that are associated with a Real-Time SPC sampling plan, you must set up the method for data collection for each sampling plan.

All data that enters Real-Time SPC must be associated with a sampling plan. When you define a sampling plan, you specify the measures and descriptors to include in the data collection, the sampling schedule, and set the data collection order.

You must also choose whether your data collection is Automatic or into a Data Collection Form.

Automatic	Data Collection Form
Use Automatic when all the data for a sampling plan are in a single Minitab Connect data table. For more information, go to Set up automatic data collection. To link a Connect data table to a sampling plan, you must have a data table that contains data from at least one measure, date/time information, and subgroup information, if applicable. For more information, go to Create a Minitab Connect® data table for automatic data collection.	Use Data Collection Form to specify the data source for each measure and descriptor with a combination of data entry methods. Use a data collection form for any of the following methods. Manual entry into a data collection form. For more information, go to Enter data observations in a data collection form. Gage entry into a data collection form. For example, you can use an API endpoint from Prolink gages. Data streaming. For example, you can use an API station endpoint to stream observation data for process and output measures directly into station data tables. For more information, go to The Real-Time SPC API.

Automatic

Data Collection Form

Use Automatic when all the data for a sampling plan are in a single Minitab Connect data table. For more information, go to Set up automatic data collection.

To link a Connect data table to a sampling plan, you must have a data table that contains data from at least one measure, date/time information, and subgroup information, if applicable. For more information, go to Create a Minitab Connect® data table for automatic data collection.

Use Data Collection Form to specify the data source for each measure and descriptor with a combination of data entry methods.

Use a data collection form for any of the following methods.

Manual entry into a data collection form. For more information, go to Enter data observations in a data collection form.
Gage entry into a data collection form. For example, you can use an API endpoint from Prolink gages.
Data streaming. For example, you can use an API station endpoint to stream observation data for process and output measures directly into station data tables. For more information, go to The Real-Time SPC API.

Note

Calculated measures are only available with data collection forms and gage entry. They are not available with automatic data collection and data streaming.

Set the data collection method for each sampling plan

Open the Components page and browse to the station that contains your sampling plan.
Under the Processes by Product section, select Configure.
For each sampling plan, select how the plan will import the data.
- Select Automatic when all your data are in a single Minitab Connect data table.
- Select Data Collection Form when data come from various sources.