MICROLISE GPRS DIGITAL TACHOGRAPH CARD READER
Introduction
The Microlise GPRS Digital Card Reader is a unique product that allows driver cards and vehicle tachograph units to be read and uploaded over GPRS, without the need for any permanent computer or network infrastructure.
It is ideally suited to outbases with little or no IT technology. It is also suited where you wish to place a card reader near to the fuel pumps for daily update by drivers.
The solution comprises 2 parts:
This following provides a summary of the key functions and features of these Microlise GPRS Digital Card Reader Solution hardware and middleware products.
Hardware Unit
- 12 – 36 DC Input
- Powered from Cab (Cigarette lighter) or via mains 240V – 13V adaptor
- Lightweight and portable - No PC or network cabling required – just access to power . (Ethernet enabled version allows direct connection to company LAN / WAN if required).
- Idiot proof operation merely requires the driver to insert the card into the reader
- A simple set of LEDs indicate when a Digital Tacho card is being read, when data is being sent and if an error has occurred
- All GPRS data communications take place in the background - meaning cards can be read quickly, with the data being sent as a task in the background – no communication bottlenecks to hold up driver debrief.
- Data is stored on the unit until it is sent – so if the unit is not in GPRS coverage or if the unit is powered down halfway through sending – no data is lost
- Driver and vehicle download files are not interfered with or changed in anyway by the Microlise reader or software providing an open standard for analysis bureau’s or software packages.
- All components are CE marked
- Data captured via Digi-down type readers can be sent back via the Microlise GPRS Digital Tacho Card reader either via USB or Digi-down cable connection interface (USB only available on advanced unit)
Hosting Software
Microlise do not provide Digital and Analogue electronic tachograph analysis services directly – although we have preferred partners who can offer these services and feed the results (used to generate the usual compliance and infringement reporting) into the Microlise Transport Management Centre to drive resource availability planning and allocation.
In terms of the GPRS Digital Tachograph Card Reader as a stand-alone product, the Microlise host software acts simply as a means of transmitting the driver card and VU files from the Card Reader over GPRS and then routing the received files into the customer’s nominated analysis engine, (this might be software running on a customer’s local PC or at a bureau service).
This service is offered for a nominal fee per card / VU per month – and incorporates; GPRS airtime, Microlise hosting and also GPRS Card Reader support & maintenance. Application upgrades, when required, are managed “over-air” via GPRS.
Microlise offer this service as a bundled package with the GPRS Digital Tacho Card Reader hardware – This means the solution is ready to go as soon as the customer receives the product – the customer does not have to worry about having their own GPRS SIMs and Networks, nor concern themselves with system configuration or other ICT burdens.
3 main data routing mechanisms are offered by the Microlise Management Service:
1. Email Agent – ideal for small operations / sites running locally distributed software. CRD files for nominated drivers working at nominated depots are automatically emailed to an appointed recipient to then be processed by the local analysis software. The files typically have to be manually copied from the destination email In-tray.
2. FTP Agent – ideal for operations running own server based distributed or bureau based software where low levels of integration are required. All customers need to do is to provide Microlise with a FTP IP address, User name and password and we will automatically FTP CRD files to this address / import folder to be picked up by their analysis application.
3. Web Service Interface – ideal for operations running own server based distributed or bureau based software where high levels of integration and automation are required. Via 2 Microlise Web Services CRD files can be pushed or pulled into the 3rd party analysis tool Import folder. Microlise provide the 3rd party analysis bureau with WSDL documents for this purpose.
SOLUTIONS