- About Platts Sarus
- How do I...
- Problems...
- I cannot see the 'Platts Database' menu in Excel!
- I get "The Sarus key file cannot be found" warning
- The Sarus download scheduler icon is flashing red on the Windows task bar!
- How do I contact Sarus Support!
- If I have a problem what files should I send to Sarus support?!
- I need access to more data categories
[top] Q : What is Platts Sarus?
A :
Platts Sarus is a technical analysis package that uses the Platts FTP dispatch service to download end of day prices containing Platts assessments of the energy market, commodity prices and currency rates. The software includes charting, an Excel add-in that lets you create Excel workbooks containing market data that can update witrh the latest prices, a database manager and an internet downloader that automates getting the market data each day.
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Q : Does it work on a MAC?
A :
:No, it only works on a windows based PC.
There are no plans to do a MAC version.
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Q : How does it connect to the internet?
A :
Platts Sarus has it's own communications program that automates getting the latest data from Platts. It connects via ftp or http and works with modems, lan's and ADSL. A typical compressed download takes seconds to get and is normally done once a day. The software monitors downloads and will want you if data is missing and can automatically download any missing dates.
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Q : Can I have a trial?
A :
Trials are sometimes but before a trial can take place, you need to speak to a Platts representative who will help determine what data you need. If you are iinterested in having a trial, please contact us by filling in the trial request form or calling one of our offiices. Please see our contacts page.
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Q : What is a 'Profile' in Platts Sarus?
A :
The Platts Dispatch FTP service contains tens of thousands of price series. Customers buy acess to these series in categories like 'Crudes', 'Jet Kerosene' etc. To make these lists easier to manage, Platts Sarus lets you create a 'profile' or list of 'favourite' series that you use frequently.
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Q : Activate a series (add it to my profile)?
A :
It is easy to manage the series in your profile. From Excel, click on the 'Platts Database' menu ( beside the Excel 'help' menu) then the 'Utilities/Profile Organiser' menu. If you want to learn how to use the profile manager, please get the user guide from our documents and user guides page. We also have a full online training video
that are freely available. Please click here to view them.
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Q : Download missing dates?
A :
Platts holds data for the last 45 days on it's site so you can download any of these dates. If data is missing, the Sarus download monitor 
should be flashing red on the windows task bar. Double click on it ands a window will open showing the problem. Click on the fix all link and the data will be downloaded and the database updated:
should be flashing red on the windows task bar. Double click on it ands a window will open showing the problem. Click on the fix all link and the data will be downloaded and the database updated:
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Q : My firewall won't allow FTP access...
A : This issue is becoming more and more common as FTP is seen as not secure in corporate firewalls. A quick test is to try to login to ftp.platts.com. If you see a site with folders then you have FTP access. If not, don't worry as Platts Sarus can use HTTP (which is firewall friendly) to do the downloads. We have created a pdf document that shows how to change to http. Please click here to download it. You will need to have an Adobe Acrobat reader installed. Please click here if you want to download the free Adobe reader. If you need assistance, please email support@sarus.com and send us your full contact details.
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A : This issue is becoming more and more common as FTP is seen as not secure in corporate firewalls. A quick test is to try to login to ftp.platts.com. If you see a site with folders then you have FTP access. If not, don't worry as Platts Sarus can use HTTP (which is firewall friendly) to do the downloads. We have created a pdf document that shows how to change to http. Please click here to download it. You will need to have an Adobe Acrobat reader installed. Please click here if you want to download the free Adobe reader. If you need assistance, please email support@sarus.com and send us your full contact details.
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Q : How do I load data into Excel?
A :
First, You must have the Platts Excel add-in installed. You'll know it's installed if you can see click on the 'Platts Database' menu ( beside the Excel 'help' menu). (If you cannot not see the menu, you'll need to install the add-int. See the topic 'I cannot see the 'Platts Database' menu in Excel' below. With the add-in installed, click on the 'Platts Database/Load Platts Data' menu and select as many series as you require. Our
online trailing videos and user guides show you in detail how to use the Platts Sarus Excel add-in.
However, it has more profits for you like:
However, it has more profits for you like:
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Q : How do I update my Sarus installation?
A : Updates are available directly from the Sarus web site. First you must close all Sarus programs including the Sarus Scheduler 
, the Download Monitor and Microsoft Excel . Go to the Sarus Download page and select the Upgrade option. Download and run the file ( normally into
the C:\Sarus folder) and follow the instructions on screen.
[top]Q : I cannot see the 'Platts Database' menu in Excel...
, the Download Monitor and Microsoft Excel . Go to the Sarus Download page and select the Upgrade option. Download and run the file ( normally into
the C:\Sarus folder) and follow the instructions on screen.[top]Q : I cannot see the 'Platts Database' menu in Excel...
A :
The add-in needs to be installed. Open Excel and click on the 'Tools/Add-Ins' menu followed by the 'Browse' button. Go to the Sarus application folder (normally C:\Sarus') and select the file Sarus Spreadsheet.xla ( or add-in). Click OK and the addin will be installed. If you would like to see a video in how to do this, please click here.
[top]Q : I get the 'The Sarus Key file cannot be found' warning...
[top]Q : I get the 'The Sarus Key file cannot be found' warning...
A :
This normally means that you have a new installation of Platts Sarus and the software is not configured correctly. The solution is to run the application SarusFileList.exe in your Sarus application folder (normally C:\SARUS). After it opens, close the program and it will create a file Settings.html in the Sarus folder. Attach this file to an email and send it to us at suppport@sarus.com with your full contact details.
[top] Q : The Sarus Download Monitor is flashing red on the Windows task bar?
[top] Q : The Sarus Download Monitor is flashing red on the Windows task bar?
A :
This means that the software believes that the database may be missing data. Double click on the flashing icon to display the program. You'll see a window with a list of problems. You can click on the link to fix each problem or click on the 'Fix All' link and the program will fix any database problems automatically. Fixing the problem may involve performing downloads so don't be surprised to see the Communications prgram and database update programs appearing on screen!
[top]Q : How do I contact Sarus Support?
A : Send an email to support@sarus.com Remember to include your full contact details so we can get back in touch with you.
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[top]Q : How do I contact Sarus Support?
A : Send an email to support@sarus.com Remember to include your full contact details so we can get back in touch with you.
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Q : If I have a problem, what information should I send to Sarus support?
A : You'll need to send the following 2 files to support@sarus.com Remember to include your full contact details so we can get back in touch with you.
[top] Q : How do I get access to more data categories?
A : Send an email to support@sarus.com telling what categories you need and we'll speak to Platts and ask a representative to contact you. Remember to include your full contact details so we can get back in touch with you.
- First take a screenshot of the problem. Simply click on the 'Print Screen' button on the keyboard and paste the image into Wordpad, Windows Paint or and Microsoft Word. Save the file and attach it to an email.
- Run the application SarusFileList.exe in your Sarus application folder. After it opens, close the program and it will create a file Settings.html in the Sarus folder. Attach this file to the email and send it to us.
[top] Q : How do I get access to more data categories?
A : Send an email to support@sarus.com telling what categories you need and we'll speak to Platts and ask a representative to contact you. Remember to include your full contact details so we can get back in touch with you.