WO2017200499A1

WO2017200499A1 - Integrated software and hardware systems for lifelong cost optimization for storage equipment and healthy and safe environment

Info

Publication number: WO2017200499A1
Application number: PCT/TR2017/050055
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ayse KAYHAN; Mustafa Metin SENGEL
Original assignee: Still Arser Is Makinalari Servis Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2016-05-18
Filing date: 2017-02-09
Publication date: 2017-11-23

Abstract

The invention relates to a web-based application recording the vehicle and spare parts sales, fleet leasing, maintenance, repair, and dealer management processes.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Integrated software and hardware systems for lifelong cost optimization for storage equipment and healthy and safe environment

The Related Art

The invention particularly is an application that can easily be accessed web-based on mobile and other internet media, and users can easily log in through every media with the internet using their e-mail addresses, user names, and passwords. The Prior Art

In the prior art applications, an application in which battery tracking systems and forklift tracking systems are combined in a single bigger application is not found. Again in the prior art applications, an online tracking system displaying the process starting from the malfunction up to completion of the repairs (such as ordering of the spare parts, supply from abroad, and customs transactions etc.) is not found and only stock display can be made. Also, in the prior art applications,

- preparing and putting the malfunction forms into process takes time, since the malfunctions are notified by phone or e-mail,

- intensive phone and email traffic causing the personnel to use their time inefficiently,

- additional communication costs and loss of time occur, since the procedures followed about the malfunction and the present situation cannot be monitored by everybody, customer dissatisfaction occurs due to prolonging of the process and inadequate informing,

transparency and trust problems occur, since no record is kept between the customer and the staff,

regular maintenance cannot be made, the service life of forklifts are reduced and malfunctions increase, since forklifts cannot be tracked,

forklift history cannot be monitored, since retroactive records are not taken, difficulty occurs in tracking of which batteries had maintenance and which ones had not, and regular maintenance works of forklift batteries cannot be made,

after the malfunctions of forklifts are repaired, the dealer or supplier do not practice the confirmation processes found on the invoice amount,

unwanted bills occur, since cost control is not made,

the location of the forklift and battery cannot be monitored in real time, and especially in factories with big areas, the customers want to know the location of the forklifts,

performance tracking of forklift operators is not possible, and the responsible operator cannot be determined in accidents,

problems are encountered in battery and forklift matching,

it cannot be determined whether the malfunctions are caused due to user error or not,

serious financial losses are encountered as a result of incorrect charging of batteries, and the batteries are left out of warranty as a result of incorrect charging,

loss of time and errors is encountered since the common data used both by the operation and the finance system are entered into each system separately,

problems in sales occur, since the dealer gets the spare parts and forklift demands from customers, asks the supplier, and then gives information back to the customer,

for the purpose of meeting the customer satisfaction, the supplier sometimes rents an auxiliary machine from a rival company for a customer who is waiting spare parts for a rented forklift, and in this way, the customer meets a rival product and this poses a risk for the supplier,

3rd party and employer policies against occupational accidents are made by forklift supplier, but since these policies cannot be monitored commonly by the forklift supplier and the insurance company, significant problems occur when an operator without an insurance has an accident,

work safety educations/trainings cannot be monitored,

profitability monitoring of forklift fleet leasing projects cannot be made instantaneously and can only made retrospectively,

problems cannot be examined at places where profitability is low, and therefore inadequate operator training, misuse, assigning wrong machine, use of wrong spare parts etc. information cannot be used for providing better and more competitive pricing for new projects,

In case a forklift without a periodic maintenance report from TMMOB (Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects) Chamber of Mechanical

Engineers is involved in an occupational accident, the owner of the forklift is directly considered guilty, and dissatisfaction problems occur when the customers who are not aware of this situation have a problem, and therefore the forklift supplier needs to take this situation into consideration in the service package, and the forklift supplier needs to cooperate with insurance companes for these works,

insurance extension options (such as gold package, premium package etc.) are expected to be added to maintenance offers so that the customer would not have any other outside relationship and deal with all the works at a single point,

in order to gain customer, a new vehicle is sent to a customer not known by the supplier, and from time to time, these demands come from dealers and the experiences show that financial losses occur, since these demands are not recorded,

in cases of delivery of malfunctioning vehicle waiting for spare parts or new vehicle to come from abroad, a used idle car is directed to the customer in order to meet the customer satisfaction, and the tracking of used forklifts is needed to be made in detail and instantaneously for this operation. Also, in the prior art applications, in systems that perform forklift fleet tracking, breakdown according to forklift usage areas are not encountered. Lack of these breakdowns slows down departmant-based tracking and responding to customer demands.

Also, in the prior art applications, systems only allow tracking of their own equipment, and there is no application for issuing a work order automatically and transfer the error code to the company for repairs, when a forklift or other heavy equipment has a malfunction.

Also, in the prior art applications, operational tracking and customer tracking are not compatible with mobile, even though these are the tasks of field staff. As a result, the above said drawbacks and the inadequacy of the prior art solutions about the subject have necessitated an improvement in the related technical field.

Purpose of the Invention The invention is formed with the inspiration from the prior art situations and aims to solve the above said problems.

The main purpose of the invention is to complete the processes in short time and improve operational efficiency by enabling users to use the menus at the same time by means of a device with an internet connection, independent from their company, customer, dealer, or supplier status and according to their authorizations defined by their user names and passwords.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide support to different companies and departments from the same platform, provide multilanguage support, keep leasing and sales modules, and provide battery charge tracking and improved reporting options. Leasing and sales modules are among the menus used in the system. Providing improved reporting options enables the user to create customized reports as desired.

Another purpose of the invention is to enable tracking of long term leasing, short term leasing, used forklift, new sales, scrap, demode etc. breakdowns on department basis and enable reservation in accordance with customer demands. In this way, both the customer and the staff save from time. The customers can use the system to reserve the desired model of equipment according their needs (by checking if it is rented, if rented, when will it be available, is it used, how old it is, operation hours etc.), and perform this operation in accordance with their own work plan. For reserved equipment, the customer is contacted and required arrangements are made.

Another purpose of the invention is to allow the customers and dealers to add and track desired number of vehicles by means of the system.

Another purpose of the invention is to ensure that the application is integrated with the forklift tracking system and thus enable the application to issue work order automatically by receiving the malfunctions sent by the machine via the forklift tracking system. In this way, while dealers go for a customer malfunction job, they go well-prepared and thus loss of time is minimized for the customer and customer satisfaction is increased.

Another purpose of the invention is to allow the customer complaints to be filled through the web site of the company and then transmitted to the system online and directed to relevant people through the system.

Another purpose of the invention is to allow online tracking of the maintenance periods of the forklift or battery through the system, allow reporting of the equipment that does not have maintenance, and allow the supplier company performing the maintenance to perform tracking through the system. Another purpose of the invention is to allow the application software to be independent from the operating system and be operated also from web based personal computers, cell phones, and tablets. Another purpose of the invention is to allow issuing of automatic maintenance orders from the system when the maintenance time of a machine comes, and provide an operational organization that does not depend on people, but on the system.

Another purpose of the invention is to allow visibility of mails and malfunction notifications to everybody within authorization.

Another purpose of the invention is to allow tracking of equipment history (which operations are made on the relevant equipment, and by who and when they are made) through the system.

Another purpose of the invention is to allow opening of malfunction records in the system in case of malfunctions of equipments recorded in the system such as vehicles, batteries, and attachments, notifying all authorized people about the malfunction at the same time, and allow the people within the same authorization group to follow the processes of intervening the malfunction, waiting for the spare parts, and repair of the malfunction.

Another purpose of the invention is to allow the dealer or the supplier to prepare a technical service form after determination of malfunction and before performing maintenance, repair, or other works, and perform the works if the company approves. Actual work is made on the field after completion of approval levels that may vary according to price, and prices of which may vary according to the level of everybody. This operation also enables operational cost control. Another purpose of the invention is to allow performing sales tenders of used or other equipments through the server. Another purpose of the invention is to allow receiving the operator information and tracking and progress payments of maintenance and repair technicians through the server. Another purpose of the invention is to allow the progress payments of all equipments that are rented to be seen by billed people through the server by entering the progress payment page.

Another purpose of the invention is to ensure recording of all operational data in a single system.

Another purpose of the invention is to enable users to access the system anywhere and anytime through the internet with the support of mobile devices, within their authorizations and without the need for any local installation.

Another purpose of the invention is to eliminate communication costs and loss of time, since data are collected in a single source and are accessible.

Another purpose of the invention is to enable making smarter decisions for the future with the interpretation of the data collected in the system.

Another purpose of the invention is to ensure live monitoring of work processes and instant determination of difficult/bottleneck situations. Another purpose of the invention is to ensure live monitoring of the vehicles and their battery situations operating on site.

Another purpose of the invention is to ensure fast and safe automatic data exchange with other systems.

Another purpose of the invention is to ensure reduction of work process costs and improve their efficiencies. Another purpose of the invention is to improve dealer, sub-contractor, and customer satisfaction.

Another purpose of the invention is to minimize vehicle and battery revision costs by means of electronic integration systems.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide system-specific dynamic and flexible auxiliary tools in order to form customized reports and outputs.

Another purpose of the invention is to allow the system administrator to design the desired reports and outputs.

Another purpose of the invention is to be able to design the data obtained from different tables, different areas, or calculations visually by using nested loops, queries, and filters in the report.

Another purpose of the invention is to develop applications with modules suitable for mobile devices to be used by field staff for faster and more effective use of the system. Another purpose of the invention is to enable the field staff to send online or offline messages to system administrators through the software.

Another purpose of the invention is to allow the developed application have multilanguage support.

The structural and characteristic features of the invention and all of its advantages shall be understood better with the figures and the detailed description given below in reference to the figures, and therefore, the assessment should be made by taking into account the said figures and detailed explanations. Figures for Better Understanding of the Invention

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the integrated software and hardware systems for lifelong cost optimization for storage equipment and healthy and safe environment.

Figure 2 is a block diagram view of a preferred embodiment of the connection between the user and the server.

Description of Parts References

1 . Processor

1 1 . Sensor

12. GPS module

13. GSM module

2. Server

21 . Database

3. User device

Drawings do not have to be scaled and details not necessary for understanding the present invention may be neglected. Moreover, components which are at least widely equal or which have at least widely equal functions are shown with the same number.

Detailed Description of the Invention

In this detailed description, the preferred embodiments of the vehicle, fleet, and dealer management application according to the present invention will only be disclosed for better understanding of the subject. First of all, users connect to a server (2) interface through the internet, using their user devices (3) with internet connection, and create a user name and user password. The user name and user passwords are recorded by means of the server (2) in a database (21 ) found therein. Dynamic Report and Output Design Tool

A system-specific dynamic and flexible reporting module is formed in order to form customized reports and outputs. The server (2) allows forming desired reports and outputs by using this reporting module. The information transmitted to the server (2) from the forklifts and batteries through the GPRS network is recorded by means of the server (2) in a database (61 ) found in the server (2) and reports are formed by applying nested loops, inquiries, and filters. The developed application allow functionality provided by software like Crystal Reports found in the market, in terms of preparing user based reports.

System Error and Performance Tracking Vehicle

Page processing time (the time period during which the information is received at said server and the report is formed) information is controlled in module basis by means of the software installed in the server (2), and the parts that operate slowly, the speed of the application, and the time period spent while the user fills the forms are determined, and improvement and process acceleration studies are made. In this way, the speed of the system use is maximized.

The errors occurring in the system (user, module causing the error, date-time, error description, values that cause the error) are recorded logarithmically in the database (21 ) found in the server (2) and these error messages are analyzed by software crew and the application is cleared from errors. Therefore, when a user encounters an error, the software crew can quickly find solution by using the minimum information gathered from the user.

Automatic Notification Tool The application allows notification of all kinds of situations to users via e-mail or message within their authorization. In intensive e-mail traffic, it was observed that the attention for these messages is reduced. As a result, this situation is notified to the user in the form of a notification message by means of widgets installed in the user devices (3) (personal computers or mobile devices etc.). Confirmation that these messages are seen by the user are also recorded by the server (2) in the database (21 ) found in the server (2). Forklift and Battery Tracking System

One of the significant novelties of the invention is to develop the remote tracking system used in transport vehicles and heavy equipments for the batteries used in forklifts and electric forklifts. Within the scope of the invention, processors (1 ) are found for different types of forklifts and batteries and comunication protocols and server (2) software are developed. In this way, the location of the forklift and the battery can be tracked in real time by means of the processor (1 ) and the GPS module (12) and the GSM module (13) connected to the processor (1 ). System Analysis

In this operation step, the contents and the functional scopes of the modules that would form the product are determined. The methods used are as follows: - need recognition works with dealers,

- analysis works with the present customers at field,

- brain storm works with experienced project coordinators for determining the contents and functions of the modules. System Design

In this operation step, software architectural designs of the modules with the above determined scopes via above said system analysis works are performed so as to provide the determined contents and functions. The methods used are as follows:

- determination of the assumptions and dependencies about the software to be developed

- general limitations - targets and principles

- risks

- architectural and component level design

- data design

- user interface design

- test subjects.

Application Development In this operation step, the application modules designed and formed in accordance with the above said system design step are coded. The methods used are as follows:

- Function (software code for each operation) library is formed so as to make the codes (software codes required for each operation) standard. - Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 is preferred as the integrated development environment (IDE).

- ASP Classic and ASP.NET are used together as the programming language.

- Microsoft Team Foundation Server 2010 and Microsoft Project and Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 tools at its environment is used for the

Application Lifecycle Management.

- SQL is used for development and management of database. Microsoft SQL Server is used as the database.

- Communication services (OPC, Modbus etc.) compatible with internet technology are written for comunication with PLC developed for forklift and battery tracking. TCPI/IP is used for the communication between the terminals (forklift and battery tracking device) and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) standard is used for data exchange with other systems (such as server, computer, mobile devices etc.).

Cloud Computing Systems Cloud Computing basically ensures quick response to varying work requirements such as improving stability and safety and providing source management flexibility, and allows reduction of complexity. Cloud Computing means providing basic needs of a user such as software, hardware, file saving and storage etc. in a present system by means of a remote computer through the internet. In Cloud Computing, the information found in the software of the server (2) database (21 ) and the user are shared and the present computing service is used through the internet. Considering the software size increase in informatics products; the system according to the invention, which enables elimination of new infrastructure and new personnel training etc. factors, has extended the limits of making real time operation on the internet by means of internet membership or payment per unit. Software Test Methodologies

Software testing is one of the significant parts of software development lifecycle. Software test is a structure that controls if the software meets the pre-determined needs or not, and produces the correct output or not. There are various test strategies and all of these try to reach certain targets (eliminate all the problems, ensure error-free operation of the software, and obtain the best output). The software test methods to be worked on are as follows:

1. Black-Box Test

The Black-Box Test is a user test and does not deal with codes or design. In the Black-Box Test, the tests are on needs and functionality. Black-Box test is based on data selection suitable with functionality and the selected data showing the normal or abnormal behaviour of the program. In the Black-Box Test strategy, the user needs to know the requirements of the system and how he/she is going to respond to these requirements. 2. White-Box Test

It is based on the software code within the server (2) (providing formation of desired data). It is based on the conditions, areas, and descriptions of the code. The White- Box Test is also called as glass, open box, or clear box. In this test, the tester needs to analyze the code for finding the problematic part.

Communicative Control Systems Remote tracking system is developed for the batteries of forklifts and electric forklifts within the scope of the invention. Processors (1 ) are found for different types of forklifts and batteries and comunication protocols and server (2) software are developed. In this way, the location and situation of the forklift and the battery are monitored in real time.

The processor (1 ) mounted to the forklifts and batteries transmits the location information obtained by the relevant GPS module (12) and relevant sensor (1 1 ) information (impact, battery temperature etc.) to the server (2) through GPRS network via the GPS module (13).

Moreover, commands such as engine stop commands wanted to be sent to the forklift are entered on the screen of the user device (3) by the user and then transmitted to the processor (1 ) found on the forklift, through the GPRS network via the server (2).

The integrated software and hardware systems for lifelong cost optimization for storage equipment and healthy and safe environment according to the invention, the positions and functions of parts of which are disclosed above, comprises:

- obtaining the location information of the forklift or battery from GPS satellites by means of a GPS module (12) that is connected to a processor (1 ) mounted to the forklift or battery, transmitting impact or battery temperature etc. information received from at least one sensor (1 1 ) mounted on the forklifts or batteries to said processor (1 ) which is connected to said sensor (1 1 ),

the location information obtained by means of said GPS module (12) and the information received from said sensor (1 1 ) transmitted from the forklift and batteries to said processor (1 ), is transmitted to said server (2) via GPRS network by means of base stations, using a

GSM module (5) connected to the processor (1 ),

the forklift and battery information transmitted to the server (2), is recorded into said database (21 ) by said server (2),

the user forms a user ID and user password by means of a server (2) interface,

the formed user ID and user password are recorded in a database

(21 ) found within the server (2), by means of said server (2), a report is formed by using nested loops and filters in the server (2) using the forklift and battery information recorded in said database

(21 ),

the formed report is displayed on a screen found on at least one user device (3) with internet access and connecting to said server (2) through the internet,

the commands wanted to be sent to the forklift are entered on the screen of said user device (3) by the user and then transmitted to said processor (1 ) found on the forklift, through the GPRS network via said server (2),

the supplier users enter forklift and battery information, and form sales or leasing module on said server (2) interface, in accordance with their authorization,

other users enter their user names and passwords on the screen of said user devices (3) and thus connect to said server (2) interface through the internet,

in order to allow performing of leasing or purchasing operations of forklifts or batteries via said server (2) interface, the forklift and battery information of the supplier users recorded in the database (21 ) of the server (2) are displayed on the screen of said user device (3) by the server (2),

- the users can send e-mail or message to other users through said server (2) interface,

- the users can perform billing operations by means of said server (2) interface.

Claims

CLAIMS A web based method comprising modules about a system comprising a server (2) and at least one user device (3) and enabling recording of vehicle and spare parts sales, fleet leasing, maintenance, repair, and dealer management processes for forklift suppliers, and it is characterized in that; said method comprises the operation steps of:

- obtaining the location information of the forklift or battery from GPS satellites by means of a GPS module (12) that is connected to a processor (1 ) mounted to the forklift or battery,

- transmitting impact or battery temperature etc. information received from at least one sensor (1 1 ) mounted on the forklifts or batteries to said processor (1 ) which is connected to said sensor (1 1 ),

- the location information obtained by means of said GPS module (12) and the information received from said sensor (1 1 ) transmitted from the forklift and batteries to said processor (1 ), is transmitted to said server (2) via GPRS network by means of base stations, using a GSM module (5) connected to the processor (1 ),

- the forklift and battery information transmitted to the server (2), is recorded into said database (21 ) by said server (2),

- the user forms a user ID and user password by means of a server (2) interface,

- the formed user ID and user password are recorded in a database (21 ) found within the server (2), by means of said server (2),

- a report is formed by using nested loops and filters in the server (2) using the forklift and battery information recorded in said database (21 ),

- the formed report is displayed on a screen found on at least one user device (3) with internet access and connecting to said server (2) through the internet,

- the commands wanted to be sent to the forklift are entered on the screen of said user device (3) by the user and then transmitted to said processor (1 ) found on the forklift, through the GPRS network via said server (2),

- the supplier users enter forklift and battery information, and form sales or leasing module on said server (2) interface, in accordance with their authorization,

- other users enter their user names and passwords on the screen of said user devices (3) and thus connect to said server (2) interface through the internet,

- in order to allow performing of leasing or purchasing operations of forklifts or batteries via said server (2) interface, the forklift and battery information of the supplier users recorded in the database (21 ) of the server (2) are displayed on the screen of said user device (3) by the server (2),

Said method according to Claim 1 , characterized in that; the time period during which the forklift and battery information are received at said server (2) and the report is formed is controlled in module basis, and the parts that operate slowly, the speed of the application, and the time period spent while the user fills the forms are determined by means of the software installed in the server (2).

Said method according to Claim 1 , characterized in that; the errors occurring in said server (2), the module in which the error occurs, the date and time of the error, the description of the error and the values causing the error are logarithmically recorded in said database (21 ) found in said server (2).

Said method according to Claim 1 , characterized in that; the read receipt of e- mails or messages sent among the users are recorded in said server (2) database (21 ).

5. Said method according to Claim 1 , characterized in that; said user device (3) is a phone, laptop computer, personal computer that can connect to the internet.

6. The method according to Claim 1 , characterized in that; the malfunctions occurring on the forklifts or batteries are transmitted to said server (2) in the form of malfunction codes through GPRS network, by means of said processor (1 ) and the GSM module (13) connected to the processor (1 ).