Production Scanning / Tracking Using Bar Codes, UPC, RFID, Button Units (BIRT)

The TAC system supports an open interface to standard production tracking technologies. These include Bar Codes (UPC, or Universal Product Codes), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Button Technology (BIRT).

How it Works

There are several steps to making this work with your scanning device. Generally, you must generate a Service Route report in Total Activity Control (TAC), and export the report as a file, saving it to the location where your scanning device reads the route stops and units. (Note: Custom reports to match your scanner technology are available; see section on Customization of Service Route Export). The default tracking file export contains the fields in the section Default Tracking File Export Layout below. The steps are as follows:

Create the file by running and exporting the report. (You may choose any of the export formats build into the report generator tab, comma, Excel, etc.)
Read the file into the scanner/tracking technology you are using.
At the end of the day, place the tracking file into a public directory where the TAC software can access the file(s).
Import each route file using the Main Menu option Dispatch/Production Tracking, Import Tab. The Import file can be either comma-delimited or an Excel file that follows the import layout. No fields can be skipped. The import utility has several options when importing the tracking data.

Manually set the Route number and date when importing
Select type of file (comma delimited or Excel)
Print the audit report that compares the route and tracking date and identifies unit not serviced on route and units serviced and not on route. This report is designed to be given back to the driver so he/she can track their own performance.
Update the Production tracking information for each stop. See section Default Tracking Import Layout for details.
If a import file is scanned more than once, entries with the same unique key will be updated, else it will be added (see section Production Unique Key for details)

Production Unique Key

Each entry that is tracked has a unique identifier. This identifier is made up of a combination of fields. This is used to make sure that the same information is not counted twice. The fields used are:

Fields	Description
Route Number	Numeric 3
Date	MM/DD/YYYY
Site Number	Numeric 6

Default Tracking Import/Export Layout

The import utility groups all entries in the import file for this combination and creates a single entry with the sum of the individual for the three field combination. The tracking/scanner may have 2-N readings for each site. These are combined into a single entry with totals of units services, missed. Time and mileage are measured between starting entries of each site.

Field	Description
Site Number	Numeric 6
Serial Number	Character 10
Driver	Character 10
Vehicle code	Character 10
Route number	Numeric 3
Route day	Character 1 (M,T,W,H,F,S,U)
Date	MM/DD/YYYY
Time	Military HH:MM:SS (character 11)
Comment	Character (no limit)
Odometer reading	Numeric 10.1
Fuel	Gallons
Waste	Number 10.1
Serviced	Boolean

Customization of Service Route Export

You can have a customization of the service route export report several ways.

Pay for a customized export report. You supply the fields and the order of the report and Clear Computing will install within the system. Clear Computing will maintain the report, so as TAC changes, the report will continue to work.
Use any of the many export features to take an existing report and then modify the exported files to fit your scanner technology.
By buying and using Crystal report generator, you can create you own report using the Clear Computing supplied “TTX” files. If you do this option you are responsible to maintain the report and make any changes necessary if/when the “TTX” file changes. Crystal is a sophisticated report generator and requires significant skill to implement and support.

Customization of Service Route Import

You can have a customization of the service route import utility for a fee. This fee covers the import and associated audit report. The amount of the fee is dependent upon the number and type of changes. To obtain an estimate, create a list of fields being used, the order of the fields in the import record set and any edit criteria. Contact sales to open a tracking number for the estimate.