Technical Blog Post
Abstract
A Q&A on Telematics data in Maximo
Body
Q. OK, so what exactly is Telematics?
A. The integrated use of telecommunications and informatics, also known as ICT (Information and Communications Technology). More specifically it is the science of sending, receiving, and storing information via telecommunication devices.
Q. How about in plain English?
A. Electronic devices on-board assets collect information that is extracted and used in some way.
A.
A. All sorts of data can be collected. Some portions of this may be specific to each telematics solution, but in general they can collect information about the health of the asset, meter readings, fault codes (code generated by OEM computer indicating a problem with the asset), location information, operator communications, etc.
Q. So what does that mean with regards to Maximo?
A. Maximo for Transportation has a specific feature for importing telematics data. Telematics data can be used to perform such actions as creating work orders, creating meter readings, or logging telematics data against an asset. Bottom line, telematics data imported into Maximo can be used to help manage your assets and provide vital information on its health and current condition.
Q. Which telematics systems can be used with Maximo?
A. Any telematics system that can export data in an XML format.
Q. What is the basic ‘lifecycle’ for telematics data?
A. As follows:
- Data is recorded in a vehicle data collection device in response to events such as periodic polling of various devices (e.g. tire pressure monitoring system) or in response to devices reporting errors in the vehicle (e.g. low coolant level)
- Data is periodically transmitted from the vehicle via some form of collection device (e.g. during re-fuelling, satellite, or cellular)
- Data is stored in a telematics solution
- Data is exported from the telematics solution into an XML format file
- Data in the XML file is imported into Maximo via the Maximo for Transportation’s Telematics feature
- Maximo uses the telematics data to log data against an asset, create meter readings, or create work orders when appropriate
Q. What benefit is there to using telematics to capture meter readings?
A. Capturing meter readings via a telematics import provides timely and accurate readings. Readings can be captured at a set interval without the possibility of human error in transcribing readings. No waiting for the asset to arrive at a repair facility to capture readings and no relying on the operator or user department to provide current readings.
Q. What triggers a work order being created from a telematics data import?
A. You can define high severity telematics codes and set an action for the code to automatically create a work order should they be imported for an asset. You can even define different actions for specific manufacturer and model combinations.
Q. Can I have Maximo use a job plan when telematics creates a work order?
A. Absolutely! You can set a different job plan to be used for each action to create a work order.
Q. Is the import of telematics data a fully automated process in Maximo for Transportation?
A. It can be. There is an out-of-the-box cron task defined that can be used to fully automate the import process. You can also manually import an XML file also.
Q. Is it difficult to configure a telematics data import?
A. Nope. The process is as follows:
- Adding templates using the Orgs (Tr) application
- Adding Telematics Codes using the Telematics Codes (Tr) application
- Adding appropriate actions for each Telematics Code in the Telematics Codes (Tr) application
- Setting up Cron tasks to automate the import and processing functions
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