A special feature and one of the unique advantages of CKPT tracking devices is a multi-server mode of functioning.
Usually GPS vehicle tracking terminal transmits dаta to one local or WEB server, where information processing and visualization are performed. Visualization, as a rule, is reduced to displaying a point on a map at the vehicle location. Reports are usually represented by an elementary track (car route as a line on the map), one or two tables with generic dаta on machine operation during a period of time. Sometimes there is a diagram of some parameter, for example, fuel level in the tank or engine speed.
Poverty of information and its general, non-specialized character are connected to the fact that servers are usually created by programmers, instead of experts in the field of vehicle operation. Moreover, various aspects of vehicle operation and specificity of various branches are very different. Thus the concept of "vehicle operation" in this case breaks up on almost dozen of non crossed fields of knowledge. For example, it is very few similar in such tasks as: diagnostics of an engine technical condition, operative vehicles dispatching, control of oil well heating technology observance.
None, even the best server, can not solve all the tasks of vehicle tracking equally well. Specialization is the strategic way of vehicle tracking software development.
Only specialized servers, which are created by experts in the industry, can really effectively use technical capabilities of transport monitoring system.
An information, transmitted from a vehicle, should enter to several servers, not to one server only.The easiest way to solve this task is to collect the information on one server, and then transfer it to the others according to coordinated procedure. Such a way is primary limited by complexity of individual interfacing of different servers, significant integral overloading of the first server, durable transactions. The abovementioned way is basically unacceptable for the tasks demanding on-line operation.
The problem of multi-server functioning was set during designing CKPT monitoring terminals. A special element of system was created for this purpose – the access point which a little paradoxically represents a “fixed part of the mobile terminal”. Physically, the access point is a specialized communication program running on an allocated server. Figuratively, the access point is the second end of virtual "wire" connecting vehicle and server. The access point solves two tasks only:
1) receiving the dаta from vehicles and
2) distribution the dаta into several so-called “service servers” (specialized servers for users).
The access point provides efficient and reliable dаta receiving and transferring, because it is not distracted on working with maps, dаta parsing and analyzing, users` inquiries processing.
Thus, the dаta from CKPT tracking devices simultaneously gets into multiple servers.
Multi-server way is a result of long-term working out of engineers and programmers of JV Тechnoton, first it was used in devices CKPT 25 and CKPT 45, developed in 2009.
Connection procedure of a service server is extremely simple and free: it is enough to send it`s IP address to e-mail: info@jv-technoton.com. Naturally the server should support open IPM Protocol what is easy to do, because CKPT tracking devices process the information "onboard" and send ready-made, filtered, averaged and parameterized dаta into servers: coordinates, fuel consumption, vehicle axle load, fueling or fuel drain volume etc.
CKPT tracking terminal with multi-server operating mode is a convenient platform for creation of specialized, departmental vehicle tracking system, especially if the department already has materials in the form of managerial, analytical or registration software which has to be integrated with the vehicle tracking system.
The multi-server mode is very useful for transport control in large holdings with their multilevel control systems.An allocated server is running on each "floor" in such systems, giving out the necessary information to the user and not loading him with anything extra. For example, at the level of fleet, there can be arranged operative dispatching and reporting in a context of specific cars. Service departments can create a service supervising the necessity of the next servicing (on the actual vehicle condition not on rigid regulations). Economic services and senior management should have the generalized dаta which easily fits into corporate system of accounting and administrative control. Control services can concentrate on detecting and preventing the cases of fuel theft, unauthorized trips, unproductive vehicle idling.
Multi-server functioning is a perspective way of the vehicle tracking systems development, and CKPT tracking devices are ready to operate as a part of such systems.
Date: 16.09.2010
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