 
Worldwide remote maintenance of order pickers is possible with the STILL Online-X-Module. The on-demand service avoids travel costs and CO2 emission.
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The leading global full range supplier of intralogistics solutions, the STILL GmbH in Hamburg revolutionises service and maintenance of its system trucks (e.g. MX-X and EK 12). This means quicker service, because in the future failures and damages can be diagnosed by remote access in real time allowing quicker fixing.
What sounds futuristic is already reality. The competent service department at STILL uses the Online-X-Module to connect to a particular VNA truck and starts a thorough check for possible causes of a failure. Should the cause of the defect not be found right away, the technicians can conduct different test scenarios together with the driver until the error has been found. By phone this is much cheaper and more friendly to the environment than travelling by plane or car. If the online diagnosis shows that certain spare parts are needed or electronic components are to be exchanged, the service technician sets off to visit the customer with the needed parts right away. That saves time as well. If only a software update or a software flash is needed, this can be done immediately: at the click on a button the latest version is installed online.
Time is crucial when repairing and maintaining VNA trucks. The machines operate in narrow aisles of 1.40 metres width between high bay racks lifting loads weighing from half to one and a half ton up to 13 metres high. And, as is custom in the automotive or food industry or in logistics in three shift operation around the clock. This means a high work load for the trucks which still must not break down. Because downtimes may be expensive, for example if the strictly clocked automotive production comes to a standstill due to replenishment failures.
The revolutionary service tool functions strikingly simple. The Online-X-Module is either permanently installed on the truck or it is available as a mobile service solution for the STILL sales partners on site. They are usually the first to contact or the first level support. The module has a 2 Megabyte capacity memory and an integrated modem allowing real time diagnostics. If the VNA truck or the driver reports a failure, the service technician can check the VNA truck, without leaving his desk - as long as the Online-X-Module is permanently installed. If not, the respective service organisation will come, connect the Online-X-Module to the CAN-BUS and start the check of defined parameters and conditions.
Depending on the region where the truck operates the permanent installation is recommendable so that service technicians from Reutlingen can support customers worldwide - online of course.
However, the Online-X-Module is not only helpful if the truck has already broken down. The truck should operate proactively: based on given parameters the VNA truck sends status reports by text message or by e-mail to the technicians (on a daily or weekly basis). The truck should report if it is in a technically critical situation.
The advantages of the new online module for the customer are obvious. The on-demand service further increases the already high availability of the STILL VNA trucks reducing downtimes. Also, the remote diagnostics accelerate the fault finding process and reduces repair and maintenance costs. Many on site deployments of service technicians will be superfluous. Travel costs and CO2 emission are avoided. |
