PCC Release Notes

This page lists new features, enhancements, and bug fixes in the latest Pocket CowCard for Android and Pocket CowCard for Windows Mobile releases. Expand the sections below to learn more!

IMPORTANT! READ THIS FIRST: Android 12 (or higher) users, tap the following link to manually install the latest version of PCC for Android onto your device: PCC for Android. See Need help updating PCC? for more information.

Depending on your Android OS version, expand the instructions below to download the latest version of PCC onto your device:

You must manually download the latest version of PCC onto your device if you have Android 12 (or higher). Follow the steps below to continue:

  1. On your PCC device, open the Changelog tab to view the release notes. Tap the PCC for Android Download link.
  2. Tap Download.
  3. On your Downloads screen, tap the downloaded file (PCC-ANDROID.APK), then tap Update.
  4. When the download is complete, tap Open to run the latest version of PCC.

The in-app updater automatically installs the latest version of PCC onto your device. No action is needed.

Tap the Options button at the top right corner of the screen and then tap the About tab to check your current version.

The version number translates to vYYMMDDhhmm (two-digit year, month, day, hour, minute).

PCC Android - Version v2410251041-(2.0.27.39-rc)

Build Date: October 25, 2024

Release Date: October 29, 2024

PCC for Android version v2410251041-(2.0.27.39-rc) includes a variety of enhancements and bug fixes. Expand the sections below to learn more:

As we communicated previously, VAS no longer supports PCC for Android 8.1 (or lower) devices. For a full list of devices supported by VAS, click here. If you have any questions about your options or if you want to purchase a new compatible device, please contact your PCC support representative.

(PCC-1355, PCC-1361)

  • Enter a FRESH Event on PCC: The FRESH event is now available in PCC! You can enter FRESH events for your animals directly on the animal's CowCard in PCC. Simply go to the Events tab, tap New Event, and tap FRESH to enter event details and store the new event. See Create a FRESH Event in PCC to learn more! (Several tickets)
  • Created new ability to add new animals during some Expert Batch routines: Users can now add new animals during an Expert Batch routine using a certain workflow. If you use an ENTER\Z routine and ADD an animal that does not exist in your herd, the system adds the animal. Note that this feature does not support WITH statements for source farms. (PCC-1420, PCC-1447)
  • Regression tested at 100% for test rail cases for Android 14: This PCC version was fully tested with Android 14 using a MOTO G24 model and passed all testing. Please avoid using Android 15. (PCC-1434, PCC-1447)
  • Fixed a missing feature in the Settings tab: We recovered the lost alternative vet check setting where users define which items are shown. (PCC-1438, PCC-1447)
  • Resolved a crash issue when users use the in-app updater: We have fixed the in-app updater issue that affected devices running on Android 12 or higher. Use the instructions here to update your app to the latest version:  Need help updating PCC? Click here for installation instructions for Android devices!. For future versions, you won't have to manually update PCC anymore, as long as you allow all permissions requested by the app to enable the in-app updater. (PCC-1436, PCC-1447)
  • 2024/10/29 - PCC needs more details from devices that fail to make transactions: We have a special debug version to collect more information for certain “edge cases” where transactions are either not getting created or partially getting created. Please reach out to your support specialist if you have a device that is experiencing this issue: VAS Support. "Edge cases" are situations where we cannot replicate the issue for various reasons. These cases might be device-related, OS-related, Cowfile-related, or related to a certain cadence used in the workflow. Videos of cadence workflow are helpful.
  • 2024/06/04 - PCC may crash if you add a record using VETLIST, then delete it in the transaction log: We found a rare issue where PCC may crash if you add a new record to VETLIST, delete the record from Transaction Log, and return to the vet list.

    • We recommend that you don't delete the transaction from the Transaction Log. Instead, move the animal from the DONE tab back to the TODO tab. If you already deleted the transaction from the Transaction Log, send the updates to DC305 and refresh your device to avoid a crash.

  • 2023/09/20 – Pen validation error in the new Item Entry feature: We found an issue that occurs if you use pen validation during new item entry on a CowCard on an Android device that uses OS version 8.1 or 9.0. If the system asks you about pen validation and you select the Don't ask me again option, the system will automatically send the new item to DairyComp 305. If you must perform pen validations during item entry, use the SIMPLE BATCH command to avoid this error.

    If you experience this issue, contact VAS Support. We will provide a permanent fix in a future release.

  • 2023/07/19 – Older versions of PCC may crash when adding an existing animal to a herd: Previously, we noted that PCC would crash if you used the ADD BATCH command to add an existing animal to a herd if the herd used source farm identifier items (SF and SFID). This issue only affected older PCC versions.

    • Upgrade to the latest version of PCC to get the fix: Update PCC on your Android Device. In the latest version of PCC, the system notifies you that the existing animal already exists and does not process the command.

  • 2022/10/12 – Some Batch menu entries are not being collected: There have been a few cases where the system loses new entries created from the Batch menu on PCC Android. The loss only occurs if you edit the Expert Batch command after you have already started entering data for a batch or if you do not refresh the device before you start entering data for a new batch. We are working diligently to resolve this issue. We have had no reports that ADD batch is affected.
    • IMPORTANT: If you experience this issue, contact VAS Support before you refresh the device. There may be a chance that we can recover missing data before you refresh.
    • Consider upgrading PCC to the latest version and rebooting your device daily.
    • Send collected batch data to DairyComp before you enter a new batch.
    • Only edit the expert batch command after you have sent collected data and before you enter a new batch using the new expert batch command.
    • We have found that delivering and refreshing the device between batches works best.
    • Alternatively, you can create specific PCC commands for each new batch entry. For example, if you want to create a SHIP event and collect data for multiple lots in separate transactions, you can create specific commands for each lot:
      1. To collect data for the first lot, enter the following command in the command line. In this example, we collect data for lot 16:
        2. Create ZSHP16:

        ENTER\Z EC=32 EDAY=SCDAT PEN=999 LOT=16

      2. To collect data for a new lot, re-enter the command in the command line and replace the existing lot number with the new lot number:
        3. Create ZSHP62:

        ENTER\Z EC=32 EDAY=SCDAT PEN=999 LOT=62

      3. Repeat this command and replace the lot number for each lot you need to enter.
TIP: Click here for an archive of previous known issues.

PCC for Windows Mobile - Version 20200806 V2

Build Date: 08/06/20

Release Date: 08/10/20

  • Protocol Remark Field Update – PCC-792: The Remark field now displays up to 12 characters:

    Before:

    After:

  • Updated Notification – PCC-834: The notification regarding the End User License Agreement/Privacy Policy/Terms and Conditions Agreement was updated in the app.

PCC Android - Version v2408271644-(2.0.26.376-rc)

Build Date: August 27, 2024

Release Date: August 28, 2024

PCC for Android version v2408271644-(2.0.26.376-rc) includes a variety of enhancements and bug fixes. Expand the sections below to learn more:

As we communicated previously, VAS will no longer support PCC for Android 8.1 (or lower) devices on August 31, 2024. For a full list of devices supported by VAS, click here. If you have any questions about your options or if you want to purchase a new compatible device, please contact your PCC support representative.

(PCC-1355, PCC-1361)

  • Turned off in-app update messaging and activation for Android 8.1 (or lower) devices: This is the final version for Android 8.1 (or lower) devices. The in-app updater will handle future updates. Future versions of PCC will not work with devices running Android 8.1 and lower. (PCC-1354, PCC-1423)
  • Updated VAS address on the About screen: We updated the VAS address on the About screen to the Visalia, California address. (PCC-1363, PCC-1423)
  • Completed full regression test on A14 OS: We did 95% regression testing for the A14 OS version on this release. (PCC-1369, PCC-1423)
  • Preparing FRESH event for field testing: In a future release, the FRESH event will be available to dairies that can test it in the field and provide feedback. If you are interested in testing the FRESH event and meet the listed requirements, contact your VAS support representative for more details:
    • Testing is only available for the English version of PCC.
    • Your devices must be using Android 9 (or higher).
    • You can only use items prompted for cows and calves, not source farm IDs.

      • (PCC-1196, PCC-1408, PCC-1425, PCC-1423)

  • Fixed an issue affecting the OnDone command: We resolved an issue where the OnDone command was applied to animals from active lists that did not have an OnDone command. This occurred if multiple lists were active and one of its active commands had an OnDone command. We recommend that you use a combination of OnDone and PostProcess commands when you apply content that needs sanity checking. (PCC-1415, PCC-1423)
  • Resolved an issue that stalled transaction backups: We added an improvement so the backups are not stalled if devices are not fully connected to the network when PCC tries to send transactions to DairyComp. (PCC-1412, PCC-1423)
  • Fixed the insemination tech number display: We resolved an issue where the breeding technician's number was not visible on a CowCard. (PCC-1397, PCC-1423)

PCC Android - Version v2407171622-(2.0.26.300-rc)

Build Date: July 17, 2024

Release Date: July 17, 2024

PCC for Android version 2.0.26.300 includes a variety of enhancements and bug fixes.

As we communicated previously, VAS will no longer support PCC for Android 8.1 devices on August 31, 2024. For a full list of devices supported by VAS, click here. If you have any questions about your options or if you want to purchase a new compatible device, please contact your PCC support representative.

(PCC-1355, PCC-1361)

  • Improved transaction handling: We have created a new method for collecting transactions, which prevents data loss caused by crashes or flow interruptions. We now store transactions in a database system, which is a more reliable method that helps to protect you from data loss. (PCC-1265, PCC-1361, PCC-1373, PCC-1374, PCC-1376, PCC-1382, PCC-1383, PCC-1384, PCC-1385, PCC-1388)
  • PCC now supports an ADD BATCH command for identifying animals: You can now use the ADD BATCH command ID=NUMBER++ on a scanner to identify an animal by its RFID, so you no longer have to manually enter Management ID ear tags. (PCC-1306, PCC-1361)
  • Added ability to remove ADD records from the Transaction Log: If you find an error in the Transaction Log, you can now safely remove any ADD records by using the new edit feature in the Transaction Log. (PCC-1331, PCC-1361)

Fixed an issue affecting the in-app updater: This version resolves an issue where PCC repeatedly advertised a new update, but would not install the update properly. (PCC-1395)

Added a fix for a worklist crash: This version resolves an issue where PCC crashed if you used the Undo feature to move an animal from DONE back to TODO on a worklist. (PCC-1353, PCC-1361)

PCC Android - Version v2403211458-(2.0.25.9-rc)

Build Date: March 21, 2024

Release Date: April 1, 2024

PCC for Android version 2.0.25.9 includes a variety of enhancements and bug fixes.

  • DC305 can now support any items defined by a PCC event entry: If you download PCC 2.0.25.9 and DC305 24.3, DC305 can now merge event entries from PCC with the existing event commands to support any items defined for that event. This occurs even if the content doesn't include an entry prompt, picklist, or a chain of commands. For example, if your DRY event is EC=11 PEN=5, a DRY event from PCC will now support the PEN=5 entry. (PCC-1231, PCC-1347)
  • Implemented multiple improvements for non-English sounds: The Chinese, German, Russian, and Spanish language sounds are now embedded in PCC, so you no longer have to manually place the CORE sounds in your AXIM/WAVS folder. We have also converted the files to WAV and increased the speed to improve the efficiency of your workflows. (PCC-1315, PCC-1347)
  • Improved pen validation process for some PCC commands sent to DC305: If you initiate an event entry, OnDone, or PostProcess command, PCC now sends pen validation pen changes to DC305 before it sends event entry data. This updated process prevents instances where an animal is assigned to the wrong pen because the pen validation process interferes with a MOVE event. (PCC-1298, PCC-1347)
  • Prevented some sounds from playing if certain items are included in a worklist: We now prevent some Text-to-Speech sounds or custom sound files from playing if the worklist includes one of the following items:
    • Item Type #21: REM
    • Item Type #84: RPRO
    • Item Type #85: EVT
    • Item Type #19: Sire NAAB/Names

      • (PCC-1299, PCC-1347)

Added a fix for a certain Firebase crash: This version resolves an issue where Firebase would crash if the system did not properly initialize storage. (PCC-1330, PCC-1347)

PCC Android - Version v2402151852-(2.0.24.05-rc)

Build Date: February 15, 2024

Release Date: February 26, 2024

PCC for Android version 2.0.24.05 includes a variety of enhancements, bug fixes, and information related to known issues.

Refactored text-to-speech and custom sounds: We disabled some default English text-to-speech sounds to make PCC more user-friendly for non-English users. Previously, when the app recognized a phrase in a worklist, the app would play an English text-to-speech sound if there was no custom sound assigned to the phrase. In the latest version of PCC, the system will no longer play the English text-to-speech sounds listed below. Instead, the system will play the CORE sound (NEEDED) if there is no custom sound assigned to the phrase.

  • ABT.WAV
  • BST.WAV
  • CHCK.WAV
  • CONF.WAV
  • CYST.WAV
  • FRSH.WAV
  • GBS.WAV
  • GNRH.WAV
  • HNPG.WAV
  • LUT.WAV
  • LUT1.WAV
  • LUT2.WAV
  • LUT3.WAV
  • MSHT.WAV
  • NOHT.WAV
  • PREG.WAV
  • PRGH.WAV
  • RCON.WAV
  • REPG.WAV
  • XBRD.WAV

If you want to enable any disabled English text-to-speech sounds, expand the steps below to reinstall the text-to-speech sounds:

  1. Download the newest version of DairyComp 305 to get the text-to-speech sounds.
  2. From Windows Explorer, open your DC305 > AXIM folder.
  3. Right-click the zip file (ORIGINAL_ENGLISH_CUSTOM_TTS_SOUNDS_PLACE_IN_WAVS_FOLDER.ZIP), then click Extract All to extract the files.
  4. Copy and paste the unzipped files you want into your DC305 > AXIM > WAVS folder.

(PCC-1327, PCC-1325)

Added fixes for certain Firebase crashes: This version resolves issues where Firebase would crash if the system received a null response for a previous lactation or if the check feature was enabled on Zebra devices. (PCC-1327, PCC-1309, PCC-1312)

PCC Android - Version v2401151625-(2.0.23.13-rc)

Build Date: January 15, 2024

Release Date: January 23, 2024

PCC for Android version 2.0.23.13 includes a variety of enhancements, bug fixes, and information related to known issues.

  • Improved speed and decompression times for core sound files: The latest version of PCC improves the playback speed of the core English sounds used in the app. In future updates, we may apply the same updates to sounds in other languages. (PCC-1318, PCC-1308)
  • App now includes latest end-user license agreements: The app now contains the updated, combined end-user license agreements. (PCC-1318, PCC-1283)
  • Fixed Add Batch routines for non-Source Farm herds: Previously, the system would duplicate Add Batch content or cause stuck transactions for some herds. The latest version of PCC has now fixed the issue. (PCC-1318, PCC-1317)
  • Added a fix for certain Firebase crashes: This version resolves an issue where Firebase would crash if you tried to set PCC to night mode and the settings were not properly loaded. (PCC-1318, PCC-1283)

For release notes prior to August 2020, please see the Pocket CowCard Release Notes Archive on the VAS website.

  • 2023/07/19- PCC may crash when adding an existing animal to a herd that uses source farm ID items: On rare occasions, older versions of PCC  would crash if you used the ADD BATCH command to add an existing animal to a herd that uses source farm identifier items (SF and SFID).

    • If you are entering an ADD BATCH command, we recommend that you do not enter the source farm ID by entering SF=%SF and SF=1;2;3, then selecting an ID from the pick list:

    Instead, enter the source farm ID by entering the source farm ID number. For example, enter SF=21 if the source farm ID number is 21.

  • 2023/06/19 - PCC may crash when entering a BRED event using the Enhanced VET FORM: PCC may crash if you try to enter a BRED event by selecting Other Event, and then BRED. This only occurs if you have enabled Enhanced VET FORM by selecting the Use faster workflow for Vet Entry setting.

    • When Enhanced VET FORM is enabled, use the steps below to add a BRED event.

    1. Tap View from the Vet Entry form to open the CowCard.
    2. Tap New Event to open a list of events.
    3. Select the BRED event.
    4. Enter the BRED event details and tap Accept:

  • 2023/04/10 - PCC unable to recognize 2 separate animals when using a Source Farm ID with ADDBATCH commands: When using this feature in DC305 to add two or more animals with the same visual ID (SFID) in the same session, the application is unable to recognize that there are 2 separate animals. We are working to add the necessary logic to this workflow in a future release. As a workaround, please type the complete identification (SF+SFID and any preceding zeros) in cases where 2 or more animals are added in the same collection session.