Frequently Asked Questions

1. What operating systems and hardware are required for Registry Plus programs?
2. In what software programming are the Registry Plus programs written?
3. Are the component Registry Plus programs independent, or must they be used together?
4. If we want to use CRS Plus, can we load in our preexisting legacy data?
5. Can we import records in Abstract Plus, or must all records be entered by hand?
6. What version of the NAACCR standard does Registry Plus work with?
7. Are reports available in CRS Plus?
8. Are extracts available from CRS Plus?
9. What are the database size limitations for CRS Plus?
10. Can Registry Plus be networked?
11. Are Registry Plus programs really free?
12. What kind of technical support is available?
13. Can the Registry Plus programs be customized?
14. What is the suggested citation for Registry Plus?

1. What operating systems and hardware are required for Registry Plus programs?

Registry Plus programs works with the 32-bit Microsoft^® Windows^® operating systems on x-86-compatible processors. We work with and focus upon recent versions and previous versions of Microsoft Windows operating systems, which are fully supported by the vendors for the operating systems. If the operating system can be made to run on the x-86-compatible processor hardware and provides satisfactory results with the operating system, Registry Plus programs are likely to work.

2. In what language are the Registry Plus programs written?

Most of the program code for Registry Plus programs is written in Microsoft Visual Basic, version 6. Many of the programs incorporate Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs) written in C.

3. Are the component Registry Plus programs independent, or must they be used together?

All Registry Plus programs are fully functional when operated independently, except Prep Plus and Link Plus. CRS Plus requires Prep Plus to prepare data for import. Link Plus can be used independently, but has some enhanced functionality when used in conjunction with CRS Plus. Registry Plus Online Help is available in a generic version that can be used independently.

4. If we want to use CRS Plus, can we load our existing legacy data?

If your legacy data can be written in records compliant with North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) data-exchange standards, they can be loaded into CRS Plus. Two methods can be used. In reviewing this issue, it helps to consider the Registry Plus data model: a database of unique patient records, each of which has one or more incidents of cancer, with each incident supported by one or more observations submitted by a reporting facility. This results in a data model consisting of three primary tables: patients, tumors, and abstracts.

When a registry is confident of its existing linkage and consolidation, a one-time special import can be performed to load the data into the CRS Plus tables, preserving the relationships among the records. To perform this special import, users must be able to extract their data with a Patient ID Number connecting the records for each patient and a Sequence Number Central (SNC) that distinguishes the record among multiple tumor records for a patient. Each category of records—patients, tumors, and abstracts—must be extracted into a separate file.

Some existing registry databases do not share the patient/tumor/abstract view of the data, so some external processing on extracted records may be necessary to produce the three files for the special import. Registry Plus programmers may be able to help you through this process. However, a registry that intends to do a special import should be prepared to handle the computer processing of its data.

5. Can we import records in Abstract Plus, or must all records be entered by hand?

Abstract Plus can import records in NAACCR data exchange format. The Utility Program Northcon10 can convert records that are not in the current NAACCR standard layout.

6. With which version of the NAACCR standard does Registry Plus work?

Current versions of the Registry Plus programs work with current NAACCR standards. When NAACCR specifications change, it takes a short time for us to upgrade our software. The Utility Program Northcon10 can convert NAACCR data-exchange records of any version to any NAACCR subsequent version.

7. Are reports available in CRS Plus?

Yes. CRS Plus contains several standard management reports that can be selected from a menu. A query-builder facility is also delivered within the program that allows users to construct and save reports using the capabilities of the underlying database software, and create new reports. Although we will continue to add reports as time permits, we expect scientific and epidemiological reports to be prepared using independent statistical software. CRS Plus will create flat file extracts of the database to work with these applications.

8. Are extracts available from CRS Plus?

Yes. CRS Plus can create extracts for calls-for-data and interstate data exchange. In addition, users can create other extracts as needed.

9. What are the database size limits for CRS Plus?

CRS Plus is designed to be scalable from 100 cases to millions of cases. The size limits for practical use are determined by disk storage space and network bandwidth.

10. Can Registry Plus be networked?

When used with an independent database server such as Microsoft SQL Server, CRS Plus and Prep Plus are designed for simultaneous use by multiple users for most operations. Import of incoming case reports requires exclusive use of the system because of the complexity of the operations involved in matching, linking, consolidating, and distributing data into the database.

Abstract Plus can be installed in a local area network environment, with its database on a file server, but the program is not intended for simultaneous use by more than one user. In fact, Abstract Plus cannot protect its database from damage if more than one user attempts to connect to it. If you need a data entry program that provides a shared database for more than one user at the same time, you should look to another application.

11. Are Registry Plus programs really free?

Yes. Registry Plus software is provided free by CDC in support of the National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR). There is no charge for the programs or for any services delivered in connection with them.

12. What kind of technical support is available?

State cancer registries are the primary intended users of Registry Plus. CDC helps states set up the software and perform basic customization. CDC also provides periodic software updates and problem solving to the extent of available resources. Our support is provided exclusively by telephone and e-mail. CDC is not staffed to provide on-site services, nor can we support hospitals, clinics, laboratories, or other private users.

Some components of Registry Plus—Abstract Plus, for example—are intended for redistribution after customization. A state central registry or other institution redistributing Registry Plus software should provide all support to end users and develop expertise in using the software among its own staff. Other users of Registry Plus software should contract, hire, or develop capability independently to understand and maintain the software applications.

13. Can the Registry Plus programs be customized?

A central design feature of each Registry Plus program is the provision for some local customization. A user can customize the data sets, displays of the data, and edit sets and add locally defined data items, online help, and user-defined functions.

14. What is the suggested citation for Registry Plus?

Registry Plus, a suite of publicly available software programs for collecting and processing cancer registry data. Atlanta (GA): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; 2005. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/npcr/. Accessed month/day/year.

	Abstract Plus CRS Plus Link Plus Prep Plus Web Plus Online Help		Utility Programs Royalty-free License Technical Support