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4COM Manual

1. 82 Vehicle Properties mem 82 4 E aaea 83 Applications 84 PEPS Application AE 86 e 87 Remote Grade Pricing 88 Price Schedule Properties 88 Audit LOG 90 94 Data Logger Interogation 1 eene enne nnne an nennen antennas 95 Tank Calibratori m eeeee 96 Auto Calibration ue 97 Calibration Status Management 42422 4442 11 1 nhan nnn n nahen asas inn sss mannen annene nanena 99 Tank Calibration File Processing 2 so cess Deci 100 ATG
2. iuc Process properties Executing gt Mechanics of a Process sie 4 Lun HIM ONS cece e a aL gueej t 5 2 2 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 4 Site Management System 6 7 9 Part IV Custom 72 2 don c 74 Native PCC TCS c ee 74 CUSTOM D d eLo g Ile 75 ASEE E E EE E E EE E E E E E E A E E E E 75 Card Management kn ba dececeenctiued exehsceuseetanld 79 Properties citron eerie tete 80 Card Properties 81 Fleet Properties
3. 103 Common Tank Calibration Problems 104 FAQ S qc 108 AVAPRO ONS ici ce e T 109 Importing Sample Data 112 Detur 113 Leo FT ucmenc 113 eeauuceec 113 EE 114 alana 114 Duci ERR 114 PUB ies 115 Data File DataLogger duse MN E C Auth Term Postec 4DET da eicere cnp dudes cage ces t de t cadten Mandates doe hd Re do IRE EE Ea 116 Fuel PUMP m Host Computer LPG Transducers Internal Crd E Price SIQM a dissects ili E E Pump Controller dia SITP RUM Tagging Visual Display nior iecit eee iride iere tpe eee ERE eb dC aa
4. User Properties User Name Buffy Password Confirm Password 4555 Functionality Price Schedule Maintenance If another user not the administrator user logs into 4COM and views the 4COM users then the add and delete actions are NOT available In addition to this the user can only open examine his her User Properties in the dialog provided and then they may only change their password That is they are NOT able to change which functions they have access to User Properties User Name Password I Confirm Password 44555 Cancel Note any function NOT included in the list of functions can be accessed That is ALL users regardless of the functionality restrictions will be able to view reports perform site communications of course retrieving site data AND including sending data to sites although they may be unable to maintain the data they intend to send to sites i e authorise cards or define new grade prices 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 22 4COM Site Management System 1 6 3 Statistics thresholds Name PCC Reset PCC Self Test Failure PCC Host DialOut PCC Statistic Exception Thresholds Warning Thre Failed M 2 One of 4COMs key strengths is the ability for it to be used in a pro active manner to monitor the remote sites in a fuel distribution network for the purposes of dete
5. 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Working with 4COM 91 File Edit View Reports Tools Help Address AFYA a gt Folder List DATETIME ERRORLE DETAILS 4 Archives 18 10 2004 11 03 File 000123 REC not found empty or corrupt 4COM Today 18 10 2004 11 03 File 000123 not found or empty Network 18 10 2004 11 03 File 000123 TOT not found or empty perations 18 10 2004 11 02 Site 123 PCC DateTime out of tolerance 18 10 2004 10 04 CardPlans 18 10 2004 10 56 Site 123 PCC DateTime out of tolerance 18 10 2004 09 57 Price Schedules 18 10 2004 0958 Site 123 PCC DateTime out of tolerance 18 10 2004 09 00 Units 18 10 2004 09 55 File 000123 REC not found empty or corrupt Y Grades 18 10 2004 08 56 File 000123 FIL not found or empty Users 18 10 2004 09 54 Site 123 PCC DateTime out of tolerance 18 10 2004 08 56 Statistics Thresholc Paument Tunes Check Audit Trail for Processing Errors In this manner when error conditions occur the user when notified can take the remedial action necessary acknowledge the error then know until the next set of actions are performed the system is running OK and no intervention is required 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 94 4COM Site Management System 4 Appendi
6. Folder List 4COM Today 5 gy Network 3 a et 3011 Grants GasnG Configuration ege PCC C Tanks Dispensers 1 31627 The following 4DET Properties dialog is provided in which the user is able to make the various configuration changes necessary to configure the 4DET at a the selected site Note this option is only available in 4COM systems where the Card Management application has been enabled Note the 4DET Properties contains 3 tabbed pages General It is important to note that many of the display prompts and receipt options properties on the General page have been superseded by CAT program functionality available in the Focus Forecourt Configuration application however for older legacy 4DET non x fuel applications these properties are still valid Forecourt Data Entry Terminal 4DET Properties General Allocation Limits Operating Hours Terminal Count 2 PIN Control Software No Fuel Timeout 4 Display Prompts Odometer No Flow Timeout 0 User Data LPG Valve Timeout 600 Cl Preset C Log Pump Authorisation Service Cards Receipt Options Card 1 Receipt Control Never v Card 2 Line Feed Count 0 PCC 4DET parameters may gt differ from those displayed Terminal Count This is the number of 4DET terminals installed at the site No Fuel Time out This is the time in seconds after the pump has been authorised that fuel will no longer be
7. d cia important to understand that ad 4COM uses the unit set up here to interpret data retrieved from sites and convert this data into floating point numbers where it is stored in the 4COM database Though there are a large number of variables stored in the PCC they fall into a small fixed number of categories therefore it makes no sense to delete any of the existing unit types defined here or indeed add any new unit types The add amp delete functions are consequently not available The Unit Properties dialog is provided to open amp update the selected unit type if required While the number of decimal places is able to be specified and determines the the integer to decimal arethmetic conversions that takeplace when native PCC files are processed importing the datas into the 4COM database the Symbol field IS generally NOT used in display reports etc but is required by various 4COM component applications so as to make run time imperial metric functional operational decisions The ability to update Units is reserved for the administrator user only Unit Properties Name Decimals 3 Symbol L IMPORTANT It is important to specify the correct unit specification from the outset as any changes made have only limited affect on existing site data contained in the 4COM database That is though the existing data may be displayed to the newly specified number of decimal places the relat
8. 100 4COM Site Management System No Change Don t change this tanks status Reset PCC Tank Auto Calibration This is used to restart the auto calibration process from scratch Manually Activate PCC Calibration This is used to activate calibration now even though the auto calibration start volume threshold is not reached Manually Deactivate PCC Calibration This is used to deactivate calibration now even though the auto calibration end volume threshold is not reached PCC Tank Calibration Volumes This switches the PCC tank level to volume conversion to using the PCC s tank calibration file ATG Console Volumes This switches the PCC tank level to volume conversion to using the volumes provided by the ATG controller or a theoretical model 4 2 3 Tank Calibration File Processing The process software extrapolates the file to the extremes which were not calibrated ie tank full and tank empty using a theoretical model fitted to the curve plotted It also interpolates the gaps between any unplotted sections of the tank Important When using 4COM to retrieve and process tank calibration file s profiles it is important to note that prior to connecting to a site in an Interactive Single Site Dial up that any existing PCC files found for the site users My Documents My PCC Files folder are first deleted before any files required to be sent if any are generated and a connection established with the site Therefore if you end the Inte
9. 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 62 4 Site Management System Processing Site 123 Fast Fuel Motors s File Tank Calibration PCC Terminal Session Statistics Comms Device Agere Systems 97 Modem Connected at 33600 Duration 00 35 Disconnect when finished Local Echo Instructions Terminal Entry Fast Fuel Motors s Auckland 18 10 04 09 00 40 POSTEC DATA SYSTEMS POSTEC COMMUNICATIONS CONTROLLER P C C Read Tank Levels Pump Status Monitoring AutoServe Linkup Program Read Electronic Mail Terminal Manager Menu Line Disconnect Select Function menu number Also of significance is the ability to change the tank calibration status Refer to the section Tank Calibration for a more detailed explanation of how the Interactive Single Site Dial up can be used to accomplish this task The interactive Site Communications session then is a very powerful tool for performing both regular operations file data send receive operations for add hoc site analysis and more complex operations typically used when commissioning a site 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Working with 4COM 63 3 3 3 3 1 Working with processes This very powerful concept allows for unattended communications with sites in the fuel distribution network so that data can be exchanged between site controllers and 4COM 4COM
10. Because the CardplanID recorded by the PCC in the transaction record is used to provide the link to the CardPlan and subsequent card tag from which to derive the entire PAN it is important the CardPlanID is unique for each CardPlan allocated to the site 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 84 4COM Site Management System 3 7 6 Site Properties General Aux Devices Dial Parameters Additional Information Alarms PEPs CardPlans Available Allocated Card Plans CardPlans Name Name Auth Exp Date CardPlan ID EVEN ODD AVIATION Check 0 ODD ODD MINE TAGS Check 2 ODD JEVEN NO CARDS THE WORKS Vehicle Fleets Vehicle Fleets Name Name UIS TRUCKS m PCC Site parameters may differ from those displayed x Fuel Applications With x fuel applications the PCC is now able to cope with more complex secondary dispenser validations and furthermore records and validate alphanumeric vehicle registrations as entered through an alphanumeric interface or obtained from automatic vehicle identification AVI equipment and importantly is able to record the entire PAN To achieve this the PCC files structure was enhanced to record the many more properties fields of a transaction While transaction breadth increased new fields such as driver ID Transaction Type Vehicle Registration Attendant No the volume of transactions able to be stor
11. x o 5 4 owe See 5000 expe e e e e O p Ba NT pP F fm h ea 10000 15000 Tank Property full Capacity incorrect 45000 Theory L 40000 Raw Cal L Cal Volume L 35000 E 25000 si ut 15000 Specified Capacoty lil 10000 incorrect too low r M ds il E oO x Ur gt 9 oO 0 oO F Mou Ub um d um NW Nom i Level mm 2371 2 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 108 4COM Site Management System 4 3 FAQ s The PCC architecture imposes the following maximum Card Transaction capacity restrictions using the standard memory configuration although more memory and therefore card transaction capacity can be added Cards File Size 15k Quantity approx 7500 4 digit cards Transactions File Size 32k Quantity 1088 transaction records approx 500 monetary transactions Data Logger File Size 64k Quantity 21840 transaction records approx 510920 monetary transactions 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 109 4 4 lt Alarm Records The file consists of single line Alarm recor
12. 4COM Database Backup Status gbak writing data for table PAYMENTTYPES gbak 1 records written gbak writing index RDB PRIMARY 40 gbak writing data for table USERSRIGHTS gbak 2 records written gbak writing index RDB PRIMARY39 gbak writing data for table USERS gbak 2 records written gbak writing index RDB PRIMARY38 gbak writing index VAR SITE gbak writing data for table VARIANCE 7187 records written Cancel The advantages for this are numerous Firstly the backup file created is compressed Secondly it does NOT contain the deleted records which occupy space in the file until this space is used for new records That is as you use 4COM and in doing so delete update records the disk space used is NOT reclaimed instantly Rather what you will see is no appreciable size increase in the database file as new data is added as the space occupied by the deleted data is allocated to the new data A third benefit of using this strategy is with regard to Network backup software that often places write locks on files as it backs up these files to the network mass storage backup device typically a tape drive If 4COM or the Process Scheduler is open and active during this time 4COM or the network backup software will fail Therefore backup the 4COM database file using the 4COM tools provided then in turn backup the backup file 4COM gbk using the network mass storage backup software IMPORTA
13. Only the CardPlan Number field token field and the Card Number Length field token Length fields are mandatory in a CardPlan header record If no CardPlanID field is found the next highest one in 4COM is assumed if the PIN field defaults to no or False if PIN yes is NOT found in the CardPlan header record Similarly the Grade Restriction field defaults to no or False if Grade Restricted yes is NOT found in the CardPlan header record note case is NOT important Field validation is applied to each card field A card record is imported only if each field included is valid ie a correct Card Number number field however a non numeric PIN field will result in the entire record from being rejected Sample CSV Import Card File CardPlan header records shown in bold CardPlanID 02 2 707601 PIN no Grade Restricted no Length 10 Auth Exp Date check 6000041411 6000041445 6000041544 CardPlanID 01 2 708187 PIN yes Grade Resiricted yes Length 13 Auth Exp Date check 091 14402278256 1234 1 3 5 09114402278255 2345 1 09114402278253 3456 3 5 09114402278254 4567 1 2 3 4 5 Custom Imports Often in large corporate environments where enterprise management systems are used as the primary means to maintain corporate data it is sometimes a requirement that this data be utilised in 4COM for transmission to sites in the fuel distribution network A typical example is where an enterprise card management system is used to maintain customer
14. Site parameters may differ from those displayed Like the x fuel application this requires the PCC Aux Devices to contain either x fuel No Console or x Fuel Retail references Furthermore the PEPs configuration properties must be appropriately configured Site Properties 5 General Aux Devices Dial Parameters Additional Information Alarms PEPs Integrated PEPs FTP Properties UserName intaba Password postec Inbox PEPS INBOX PEPS OUTBOX PCC Site parameters may differ from those displayed Here card lists derived either internally from 4COM or externally from some other data source 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Working with 4COM 3 7 8 87 usually a third party application are sent to the PEPs device in two files The first file bin describes the CardPlan attributes and authorisation logic The second xcf contains the individual card tag entries including secondary validation data vehicle registrations Software PINS Grade restrictions etc unlike legacy 4DET and x fuel applications where this data resides in a single PCC file Here because card tag validation can be optionally passed onto to external validation sources by th PEPs the order of the CardPlan records as allocated to the site is important hence the Move Up Down ordering capability provided Site Properties Av
15. To view a summary of the tanks configured for a site locate the Tanks folder within the selected site The user is able to add delete open and copy the tanks for the site In particular only the last tank highest logical tank number can be deleted as tanks must number sequentially with no gaps Furthermore any tank copied will be automatically given a tank number one 1 higher than the highest numbered tank Adding a new tank or opening an existing tank yields the Tank Properties dialog below in which the various tank parameters are defined Only the Tank No property is NOT able to be changed Folder List 4COM Today igi Network 3l gif 3011 Grants Gas Configuration 1 Unleaded 91 2 Prem 96 3 Diesel 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Working with 4COM 47 Tank Properties Tank No Tank Gauge Type VR 50 300 350 R Grade SUPER v Calibration Levels Capacity 33300 Stat 80 End 20 zx Diameter 2400 Advanced ptions Deliveries Safe Fill Level 31635 None v C Densitometer Product Reference Density Manifolds T o Alarm Levels High 30300 Theft 33300 Low 3000 Leakage 33300 Cancel Water D Water Offset 0 e Grade The grade assigned to the tank can be selected from the list of grades defined in the grade setup from the grade control provided e Capacity The full capacity of the
16. 4Com Application Software Optional if required to run 4Com on D8 Server PC 4Com Client Firebird Client Software 4Com Application Software If required the 4COM application software can be installed onto the database server if access to 4COM from that PC is required The Firebird Client software need not be loaded in this case as the Firebird server software already installed can also be used to access the database Citrix Deployment Notes Many large organisation utilise Citrix servers to host and make available the applications via Citrix client connections in which little more than screen updates and keypress information is transmitted across the network Windows Terminal That is the client applications run on use the memory space and resources and are therefore constrained only to the Citrix server With this centralised application management applications can be deployed in networks where there there are stringent IT certification requirements and constraints thus minimising limiting the effects of third party uncertified application while still providing users full application functionality 4COM too can be run in a Citrix environment though it should be noted the database server should NOT reside on the Citrix server and furthermore the Process Scheduler should be installed onto the Database server 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Introducing 4COM 9 Single User Configu
17. 54 4COM Site Management System 3 1 5 UPI Properties To view a summary of the UPI properties configured for a site locate the UPI folder DISF within the selected site 2 123 4COM Today Network 2 2 PCC interfaces to a wide range of gi 3011 Grant s Gas n dispensers These dispensers connect to Configuration jpg the PCC through up to four configurable UPIs Universal Pump Interfaces The Tanks UPI configuration node allows the X configuration of the dispensers connected Dispensers to these UPIs The UPI configuration is UPIs f stored in non volatile configuration 4DET memory within the PCC EEPROM and is ee affe NOT lost on a flat battery or during the master reset process The number of UPIs is fixed at four UPIs cannot be added or deleted The following UPI Properties dialog is provided in which the user is able to make the various configuration changes necessary to configure the UPI in the PCC at a the selected site To edit or change a specific UPI select amp Open the appropriate UPI The UPI Properties dialog will be displayed allowing the editing of the chosen UPI Select the dispenser type using the drop down control the other editing controls will be disabled if a dispenser type of None is selected Enter the logical start and stop dispenser numbers along with the internal dispenser number UPI Pro
18. NEL ALL 14000 CN e N 1463 f Again not necessarily a problem but a result based on very few data points This could be because of very large individual sale volumes OR overlapping sales from multiple dispensers connected to the same tank where there is very little time where dispensers are idle which is when these points are measured 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 105 35000 Theory L 30000 Raw Cal L Cal Volume L 25000 Diff L 21 data points in total out of a possible 500 i 21061 B HEBBgIH 5000 0 ni l x O0 4 Ww Q OO Q OQ og t 5r 0 m o t 0 oo O O TFT x A o r ooo A i e 0 AN Spurious point at bottom of tank near empty 25000 Here s the offending point 20000 15000 10000 o WD 5000 0 LI H 8 5000 T 10000 P d 15000 20000 Dimensions changed part way through auto calibration process 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 106 4COM Site Management System 25000 Theory L Raw Cal L 20000 Cal Valume L sudden deviation from raw to theoretical DiffL 15000 a
19. When a Process is run interactively initiated by a user from within the 4COM Manager the Process Dialog is first displayed in which each of the Sites Pre Instructions Site Instructions and Post Instructions are listed After the Process dialog is displayed the list of Pre Instructions is first actioned When this has completed each of the sites listed are in turn dialed the status of each site 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 68 4COM Site Management System is continually updated in the Process dialog Note if no site instructions are found then the Process goes immediately from the Pre Processing state to the Post Processing state and NO sites are dialled this is very handy for creating end of month report export only Processes When a Process is run interactively initiated by the user the user is able to disable individual sites right click the site then select disable from the pop up menu provided to prevent them being dialed in this instance of the Process Individual Pre Site and Post instructions can also be disabled in the same manner though disabling a Site instruction affects all Sites dialed after the time the instruction was disabled 4COM Process Daily ATG STM download BAX Sites Pre Instructions Site Instructions Post Instructions 7 2008 Tonys Truck On Inn 3015 Grants Gas n Dispenser Totals Q 3018 Fast Fuel Motors fiscum inve
20. The ability to create update and delete Payment Types is reserved for the 4COM administrator user only Payment Type Properties ID Name Cash 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 24 4COM Site Management System 1 7 Support For registered users of this product Postec Data Systems provides telephone support by means of a help desk Preferably email your question s with detailed information log files PCC files audit messages to support postec co nz Or by telephone calling hours are 9 00am till 5 00pm NZ time at the following number 64 9 415 8803 For general questions non technical pricing or other information on our products email info postec co nz Support files transient PCC files amp log files that may be requested to help locate the source of the problems experienced can be found in the users My Documents My PCC Files folder Note only relevant communications log files will be required Any report data that is to be sent should be saved to as a PDF Adobe Acrobat File and will by default reside in the users My Documents folder Should the database file be requested then this file can be located by running the 4COM Control Panel extension utility Note this file will probably have to be zipped as it contains not only all the setup information but also all the site data You may need to discuss with the Postec support personne
21. 125 4 8 Database Backup amp Restore Both the 4COM Manager application and the Process Scheduler service store and maintain data in a Firebird SQL Database 4COM fdb and indeed like any piece of software care should be taken to implement a regular backup regime to minimise the loss of data in a catastrophic event such as a hard disk failure fire or software malfunction etc Note that although all the Site setup information Site Tank amp Dispenser Properties together with the site Data and indeed the structural entities required to effect the communications sessions Processes etc are stored in a single file access to the file must always be done through the Firebird Server This is because the Firebird Server manages all the locks at table record and or indeed field level in order to support the multi user concurrent connection strategy In this respect it is therefore not advisable to use say Windows Explorer to make a copy of this single Database file amp COM fdb Instead use the Backup facility built into for this purpose From the main menu in the 4COM Manager select Tools Backup to back the 4COM fdb database file to a 4ACOM gbk compressed backup file in the same location folder where the 4COM fdb database file is located Alternatively use the DBBackup utility provided in the Windows Start menu Note the DBBackup utility has no user interface unless it is executed with a s show parameter
22. Data Set Tanks dip manually entered by console Data Added Tank delivery added by console Data Subtracted Tank level adjustment made by console Device Error Probe error detected Description contains the fault type and hex code word eg Temperature Range error 4 6 2 22 Terminal Manager PCC Terminal Manager mode Block mode communications that shuts down the PoS Serial communications Used for legacy Electronic Cash register and Forman 1 amp 2 consoles only Node PoS node number Event Description Device Enabled Terminal mode activated 4 6 2 23 UPI The Universal Pump Interface is an intelligent card which provides the hardware and low level software interface to a circuit of pumps The node number contains the UPI number 1 4 The description filed identifies pump protocol and the range of pump numbers the UPI is configured to control 1 PEC Gilbarco Australia Email Australia Dresser Wayne US Current loop Gilbarco US Compac NZ 2400 BAUD Tatsuno GX Series 123 4 7 Archiving Historical Site Data Archiving historical Site Data can be used to manage the size of the database file and consequently the performance of system Folder List 4COM Archives 2 25 2002 Network Archive gt Dispenser Totals Dispenser Electronic Totals Tank Deliveries Tank Reconciliation Ta
23. SL YWHONVA SLYYVHONVA AONANDAYS SING LINN AWNIOASAIWSTWLOL ANIWASA IVS TWLOL 3SOH als 11 101 ON 33020G AWMIOAMNVLMAN Q3383Ar1303NfT10A 3AVN3GOOAMH3AIT3G 3GO2AMN3AFT3G 3WvNaavuo 3WwiL3iva as GIANSAIT3G 5 ejeg 93s H3931NI H3931NI 1vO14 H3931NI 3931NI 3wi131v z HvVHONVA 1vo14 z HVHONVA z HVHOMNVA ze VHONVA ze HvHOHNVA O MVHONVA ze VHOHNVA z HvHONVA z HVHONVA ze vVHONVA O HVHONVA O HVHONVA O HVHONVA N3931NI H3931NI H3931NI 33931NI ze HVHONVA z HVHONVA ZE YYVHOUVA z HVHONVA 0L HVHONVA zz vVHOHNVA H3931NI H3931NI ZE YVHOUVA H3931NI HYH ZE YYHOYYA H3931NI H3931NI 1vO14 91 HVHONVA 1vo14 1vO14 1vO14 91 u4vHO S VHONVA H3931NI H3931NI 33931NI 3931NI MH3931NI SOd4 AdALLNNOOSIG LNnoosia 15 GIQHO23H SAWILLYVLS ONTVIMNSSOVL Q34NIHdldl3O3H 3ONV TIV89NIN3dO3SHf1d3 vVIVOINVON3IIV VIVGINVON3LLV CV IVOINVON3LIV INIVOINVON3ILIV u3gSNWnNOv L PVIVQH3AIHG VIVOH3AIHG cVIVQH3AIHG IVIVOB3AIHG aiana ZYLYAOSIN ONLOVYLNOD ONLNAWLYVd NOD 1N3WAVddOGOH L3IN vVIVONVd VIVONVd VIVONVd LV1IVONVd 93H8W310IH3AQNHVO NVd 3ONaH3d3H H3SN3dSIG AWYNAGOONOILLOVSNVYL 3dO09NOILOVSNVHL NOILVSITVNIJSd3 NOI
24. the tank has been calibrated previously the tank will need to be recalibrated The Tank Properties dialog for each tank provide fields for setting the percentage thresholds at which the automatic tank calibration process will be started and terminated Typical values for the auto start and end volumes would be 80 and 20 respectively Of course the wider the calibration range further apart the start and end thresholds the more accurate the tank calibration process will be It is important to note though that using 4COM the calibration process can be manually independently started and stopped at any time and by inference any tank level It is important to note that though an 80 start calibration threshold may be set the PCC will perform the ATG process build a volume height profile over as wide a range as possible That is if in a Pre Calibration state the tank is filled to 9596 full from a less than 8096 full volume with an 80 start calibration threshold set then the tank volume height profile will be built starting from this 95 full position not the 80 start threshold specified Similarly even though a 20 full end calibration threshold may be specified the PCC will continue to build the Tank Volume Product Height profile after the end calibration threshold has been crossed down as low as the tank is emptied That is if in an In Calibration state the tank is emptied to 5 full from a greater than 2096 full volume with a 2096 end
25. 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 138 4COM Site Management System Action Action Note Cause Action Note Cause Action Cause The Site Event Report should be examined to identify the date time and phone number called for each dial out There can be two reasons for a large number of calls Alarms can be triggered and being reset intermittently This is often due to service technicians working on a site The PCC might not be getting through to the alarm receiving bureau and therefore re dials at the prompted interval Pump Console Offline x The PCC has not monitored any communications on the pump loop for more than the specified time interval default 30 seconds pump communications loop number 1 4 unmanned site usually uses loops 3 and 4 The Site Event Report should be examined to identify the date time and interval the controller was offline for Short intervals less than 1 minute can often be attributed to power transients The pump console offline state usually indicates a problem with the site controller e g Autoserve which probably means the site is not able to sell fuel Call for service When the pump console goes offline from the PCC the PCC will also log all the pumps connected to that console offline as there is no communications to monitor The Event Report will also show when the pump console and pumps return online Pump Offli
26. 2 Calibration Status Management To determine the current tank calibration state for each tank either examine a recent tank inventory report or connect to the site using 4COM in an Interactive Single Site Dial up and request the tank calibration status The Tank Calibration Status dialog is displayed providing the user the ability to manually change the state of the calibration status The user is able to change the status of any tank by right clicking the selected tank and selecting the appropriate calibration status from the pop up menu provided Note this new tank calibration status change only takes effect if the user presses the OK button Processing Site 123 Fast Fuel Motors s File Tank Calibration PCC Terminal Session Statistics Comms Device Agere Systems 97 Modem Connected 33600 Duration 03 32 E C Disconnect when finished Instructions 7 Receive Tank Delivery f Receive Tank Reconciliation f Receive Tank Inventory 7 Set Tank Calibration Status Site J Red X Red Tanks ld Tank Calibration Status Action 1 Pre Calibrating O E 2 In Calibra Change 3 Completec Reset PCC Tank Auto Calibration Manual Activate PCC Calibration Manual Deactivate PCC Calibration PCC Tank Calibration Volumes ATG Console Volumes Calibration Status Actions 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved
27. 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 18 4COM Site Management System 1 5 Product amp feature configuration Before 4COM can be used to interact with any sites in the fuel distribution network it is first necessary to enter the product registration code and feature codes supplied to unlock the appropriate functionality specific to the users application From the Windows Start menu locate and run the 4COM Licensing utility License exe Enter first the 16 character alpha numeric Product Key supplied usually affixed to the CD case in the field provided If correct the label Unregistered in the top right hand corner of the dialog should change to Registered 4COM Licensing Registered Product Key egistere Installed Features 0204 091 2 7365 FDOF Site Restrictions 500 4216 0913 D3E1 D58E Site Totals Monitoring 4714 4832 341 000 Tank Gauging 0616 0913 0714 9817 57 Code 1234 5578 90AB CDEF Once completed add each of the feature codes provided to unlock the appropriate features options specific to the users application using the dialog provided It is NOT possible to enter the feature codes before a valid Product key has been entered Like the Product Key the Feature Codes are NOT case sensitive Note this step needs to be done only once from any 4COM client if multiple 4COM clients have been installed to activate the features in
28. 4COM Note assitional features such as additional site licenses or 4COM Mnage client access licenses or even forecourt application not originally envisioned when 4COM was first installed can be added at a later date should the need arise 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Introducing 4COM 19 1 6 Starting 4COM for the first time When starting 4COM for the first time you will need to log into the 4COM Manager using the default user Administrator amp password password Note this password can be changed at a later date if desired You will also be prompted to supply an Administrator alias the first time you start which is used to identify who dials into a PCC This alias is used only when the Administrator user attempts to communicate with sites otherwise the User name is used and is logged in the PCC Events 4COM is a true multi user application that supports multiple concurrent logins Log on to 4COM 4 zz E Copyright Postec Data Systems Ltd User Name Administrator Password After you have successfully logged into the system for the first time and the 4COM Manager dialog appears before communications can take place with sites it is important to correctly configure the grade setup applicable to your fuel distribution network It is important to understand that the grade setup must be consistent throughout all sites These pro
29. Event Report This audit of all activity on the site will log the date and times when the PCC went offline and returned online The frequency and time interval spent offline can usually identify a short term mains glitch from a power failure This should be taken into consideration when examining reconciliation reports and sales reports etc If this continues to occur inspection of the site power supply or servicing the PCC may be required Note PCC s fitted with a battery back option are protected from short term power glitches 3 Cause Action 4 Cause Action 5 Cause PCC Self Test Failure The PCC has detected a problem during its diagnostics monitoring The distributor should be notified so further diagnosis and possible repairs can be made PCC Dial In An unusually high number of site interrogations have been recorded by the PCC This may be indicative of attempted unauthorised access to the site The Site Event Report should be examined to identify the date and time of each dial in If an intelligent communications session has taken place the Device Selected access code will show the identification of the caller Terminal mode dial ups for accessing the Autoserve etc only show as host Computer Online in the Event File Check with the other legitimate users of the system including Service organisations PCC Dial Out The PCC has dialed out an unusually high number of times during the last 24 hour period
30. Intelligent Internal Card Node number identifies the card number if more that 1 card of the same type can be used The description field identifies the card type Current cards include e RS485 4Port Mux e Ethernet Bridge e 4 20mA Analog I F Event Description Online PCC established communications with the internal card Offline PCC lost communications with the internal card Device Reset Card reset by PCC either on start up or from fault condition detected Set PCC Network Used with Ethernet Bridge for setting IP address and Subnet mask Parameters 4 6 2 15 POS PCC Console client Usually a Point of Sale terminal or application Node number records the client or terminal node number Event Description Online PCC established communications with the PoS console client Offline PCC lost communications with the PoS console client Connect Ethernet LAN client TCP socket connection Disconnect Ethernet LAN client TCP socket disconnection Log in Client logged in for forecourt access Log out Client logged out optional All Offline All clients are now offline StandAlone Mode All clients are offline and the PCC has been programmed to revert into stand alone mode In standalone mode the PCC automatically releases pumps locked by exception errors and releases from an emergency condition 4 6 2 16 Price Sign Automatic Price Sign Node number used to identify the s
31. Name amp Phone Number properties Note the smaller of the two Modem Phone Number fields should be used to specify the local area code or for a cellular connection the network prefix That is the complete modem phone number including area code should NOT appear in the larger of the two Modem Phone Number fields as traditionally entered for optimal performance Note a site without Modem Phone Number or IP address fields will initiate communications using the com port defined in the 4COM Control Panel extension utility in the Windows Control Panel A Site with just a modem Phone number field defined will initiate site communications using a modem A site with just an IP address property configured will initiate site communications using IP means telnet for many of the PCC site instructions TFTP for the file transfers send receive Finally a Site with both a Modem Phone number amp IP address configured will initiate IP based connections over a RAS remote access dial up connection i e dial up networking using the remote network user name amp password properties to gain access to the remote network RAS username amp password fields are only enabled if an IP address is supplied in conjunction with a modem phone number The Site Number Name amp Password properties are the only mandatory fields required to save a minimal site configuration to the 4COM database The Start of Day property defines at what time on a daily basis dispenser total
32. Note this assumes that the basic 4COM communications properties have been configured To do this first create a new site in 4COM specifying only the Site Number Name Password and Modem Phone Number if remote properties It is not necessary to specify any of the other site properties as these including the four properties entered above will be overwritten when the full site configuration is retrieved from the site With this in mind it is often important to note the modem Phone number you enter as this property will often be overwritten with possibly an incorrect modem phone number perhaps missing the area code and will need to be re established once the Site configuration has been retrieved from the site It is important that the Site Tank Dispenser and 4DET properties configured in 4COM accurately reflect those of the site they model In addition to this these properties must match those same properties configured in the Forecourt Configuration application Conflicting parameter specification in the Focus Forecourt Configuration application and in the 4COM Manager may result in at least inaccurate reporting from 4COM and at worst improper site PCC function After this basic site information has been saved right click the site in the 4COM Manager select Connect to Site Select the Site Tank amp 4DET if applicable parameters check boxes in the dialog provided then press the OK button to start the site communications After thi
33. P336 GSM External modem or Hayes command emulation device Event Description Online PCC established communications with the modem Offline PCC lost communications with the modem Device Enabled Auto answer enabled Description contains e Number of rings to answer after Whether the override answer switch or PCC answer window is active Device Disabled Auto answer disabled PCC will still answer after 10 rings Description contains informs the override answer switch or PCC answer window was deactivated Ringing detected Modem detected incoming call detected Sequence Error Incoming call ringing detected but a connection was not established This is often because another device picked up the call before the PCC modem Description contains the number of rings counted Auto Dial PCC Modem dial out Description contains the phone number called Master Reset PCC reset the modem as e The connection exceeded the max time 1 hour e The modem did not respond correctly to supervisor AT command sent every 100 seconds when not online 4 6 2 13 PCC 1987 20 Node PoS Console number where appropriate Event Description Online The PCC has restarted Offline The PCC has stopped operating Self Test Test Performed on PCC restart Description contains 120 4COM Site Management System 4 6 2 14 PCC Internal PCC
34. Sample Data Import Wizard x Welcome to the Sample Data Import Wizard This wizard will help you load the Sample Data Import Wizard Select Location of Sample Data Sample Data Feldes D Sample 0 Sample Data Import Wizard Copying Data Files Importing Diagnostic Sample Data Importing Site Parameters data for Site 3011 Importing Tank Parameters data for Site 3011 Importing Event data for Site 3011 Importing Statistics data for Site 3011 DK Importing Site Totals Monitoring S ample D ata Importing Electronic Dispenser Totals data for Site 3011 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 113 4 6 4 6 1 4 6 2 Trouble shooting The purpose of this section is to provide assistance in interpreting the events and conditions that are revealed using 4COM The events are either generated events which are usually identified by messages in the 4COM Audit Trail or site PCC recorded events and found in the events file from PCC s 4COM events How do fill in the holes missing transaction records that have developed in the Dispenser transaction data for a site If a hole exists you will be notified as soon as one develops by a warning in the audit trail In particular the warning will indicate the start timestamp of the hole and also the end timestamp To rectify this using the 4COM Manager isola
35. Static Allocation Dynamic Growth Potential Estimate where the Static and Dynamic components are explained below Static Allocation e Firstly the installed database size which is slightly less than 2 Mb e Next there are the data types which a proportional to the number of Sites in the database Sites Tanks Site Statistics Tank Inventory Dynamic Allocation e Then there are the records which are a function of the number of events they represent i e Transactions Tank Deliveries which are easy to estimate and others Audit Site Event which are more difficult to estimate Finally the remainder Dispenser Totals Dispenser Electronic Totals Tank Reconciliation and Tank Variance accumulate at a rate dependant on time as well as other factors Of course some of the data types can be ignored they are put in for completion as they are NOT routinely collected i e Site Events and Tank Variance 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Introducing 4COM 7 4 Object Bytes per Notes record Dispenser Totals 78 1 record per forecourt hose per hour day per site depending on status of Log Hourly Pump totals Dispenser Electronic Totals 64 1 record per forecourt hose per hour day per site depending on status of Log Hourly Pump totals Tank Deliveries 145 1 record per delivery event Tank Reconciliation 48 1 record per forecourt tank per day
36. Tank Properties No Tank Gauge Type No Probe B Grade Psem 96 ONE Calibration Levels Start 2 80 End 20 Capacity 32100 i Diameter 2400 Of all the properties of the Tank Properties dialog two deserve special attention In particular the capacity property should reflect the actual full capacity and NOT the nominal capacity That is though the nominal volume may be quoted as say 30 000 litres the actual full capacity may be 33 100 litres Failure to specify the actual capacity as can be determined from tank strapping 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 97 4 2 1 charts usually supplied with each tank may result in a significant in this case 3100 litre offset in reported or gauged volumes compared to manual dips or volumes measured dropped into tanks in deliveries It is also important to note the capacity and diameter MUST be consistent with those same properties configured in ATG console In particular if either of these properties is changed in the 4COM Database then of course the tank parameters MUST also be re sent to the site In addition to this these corresponding parameters will have to be reconfigured in the ATG console This can be done using the keyboard amp display directly at the ATG console or remotely using 4COM refer to Postec Automatic Tank Gauge Installation amp Commissioning Guide Lastly irrespective of whether
37. all rights reserved 88 4COM Site Management System 3 8 3 8 1 Remote Grade Pricing Prices Schedules are used in applications where the ability to remotely configure grade prices at sites from the head office using 4COM is required For this reason itis usually associated with retail type applications A Price Schedule provides the ability to change not only a single grade but any of the a um grades defined The price change can be configured to take effect immediately or at a future date time and can be made to apply to any all of the PCC s operating schedules Price Schedules Folder List 4COM Today 88 308 Network H Operations f gt CardPlans Price Schedules gt Truck Stop Prices The Site Properties dialog for the site is where the linkage occurs between a Prices Schedule created in which new grade prices may be defined and Site s in the fuel distribution network It is also equally important that a communications session be established with an instruction to send the Price Schedule to site s in the network where you wish any grade price changes you have defined to take effect Failure to correctly action any one of these step will mean any changes you have made in the 4COM database with respect to grade prices will NOT be recognised at site s If this functionality was NOT a requirement in the fuel distribution network with which 4COM will be used then
38. and other management systems and also reports generated The concept of a Process in 4COM allows one or more sites to be grouped with a set of actions that will performed The actions fall into three categories e Pre Instruction Instructions that are carried out before any of the sites are contacted i e system command s amp Custom Imports e Site Instructions Instructions that are carried out with each site once it has been contacted i e PCC commands amp file transfers Post Instructions Instructions that are carried out after sites have been contacted i e reports custom exports amp system command s The three key benefits of a 4COM Process over an interactive site communication session then are its ability to communicate with more than one site in the fuel distribution network Its ability to be run at a scheduled time frequency and its ability to be linked with other actions both prior to and after the sites are contacted To view the configured 4COM Processes select the 4COM Today Operations Processes object in the 4COM Manager Any number of 4COM Processes can be created using the Process Wizard Processes can be copied and run interactively from within the 4COM Manager They are however only ever executed automatically at their appointed date time from within the Process Scheduler service It is important to understand the sequence of events that take place when a Process is executed Process wizard Use the
39. available from the dispenser if flow is not started After this time the dispenser authorization is cancelled e No Flow Time out Only available on certain industrial dispensers without nozzle switches This is the maximum time in seconds flow from the dispenser can be re started after fuel flow has stopped After this time the transaction will be terminated e LPG Valve Time out This is the time in seconds the master safety valve on the service station s LPG tank outlet will 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 52 4COM Site Management System be shut off after the hose has been disconnected from the customer s LPG tank e Service Card 1 amp 2 Not implemented e PIN Control The following PIN Control options are available from the control provided e No PIN Ignore PINs possibly encoded on the card and do NOT prompt for a PIN e Software Ignore PINs possibly encoded on the card and validates the entered PIN against that contained in the Card File sourced from 4COM Card Encoded Instructs the 4DET to validate the entered PIN against that encoded on the card if one exists The Display Prompts group of properties is used to define what prompts will be displayed on the 4DET terminal throughout the course of the transactions authorisation requesting user input Prompt For Odometer When enabled it will prompt the customer to enter the vehicle s odometer reading into the 4DET
40. cannot guarantee that the two amounts are for the same transaction Commercially the customer is supposed to be charged the progress sale data amount so he gets the benefit of any discrepancy The second record is for information purposes only 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 118 4COM Site Management System 4 6 2 9 Fuel Pump The Node number contains the pump number The description field contains the dispenser protocol 1 PEC 2 Gilbarco Australia Email Australia Dresser Wayne US Current loop Gilbarco US Tatsuno GX Series Tatsuno EX REX series Dresser Wayne DARTLINE European 10 Tokheim 11 Dong Hwa 3 4 5 6 Compac NZ 2400 BAUD 7 8 9 12 AG Walker Gilbarco South Africa 13 Schlumberger Event Description Online PCC established communications with the dispenser Offline PCC lost communications with the dispenser Price Change Dispenser unit price change status detected Sequence Error PCC detected error in the sequence of a dispenser sale sale data may not have been recorded Device Error Dispenser reported an internally detected error code Most common error is a pulser check Error code will be recorded in event description if available otherwise it must be read from the dispensers display Stand Alone Mode Dispenser switched to Standalone mode where it is not under control of the PCC The PCC cannot record th
41. card account details and the resultant lists of allowed cards required by 4COM be sourced from this For this purpose custom imports are often utilised to import data into the 4COM database from intermediary export files produced by these enterprise management systems These imports can be developed by Postec or by the customer directly should they have the resources and expertise to do so Because each import is specific to the customer s system with which it is used each import usually has a unique user interface and functionality 4COM is flexible in that these custom imports can be integrated into the framework of a Process such that the corporate data is seamlessly integrated into the 4COM database prior to any site communications where it may be required Of course these custom imports are only made available to the customers to whom they were developed and are installed in the 4COM Licensing utility where appropriate 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Working with 4COM 73 Where Postec develop these custom imports according to specifications provided by the customer these imports are made available to run interactively by selecting opening the custom import from the Imports folder in the 4COM Manager this manner the user is able to supply the parameters required and execute the import updating the 4COM database with the information contained in the data source file when required
42. correctly defined in the 4COM Control Panel extension utility When executed the reports arrive as an attachment in an email addressed to the nominated person in the report options Executing running Processes Process can be executed in one of two ways From within the 4COM Manager the appropriate Process can be executed by simply right clicking the selected Process then selecting Execute from the pop up menu provided In this manner the dialogs used to visualise the status of the steps actions in the Process are displayed To run a Process in an automated manner at the appointed scheduled time the Process has only to have its Enabled property checked and the Process Scheduler service of course must be installed on any connected 4COM client PC AND started running Note indication that the Process Scheduler is running AND active is given both in the Status bar of the 4COM Manager and also by the Process Scheduler icon is in the task tray which for the duration of the Process displays a blue spinning disk with 4 in the centre When a Process is initiated in a scheduled manner at the appointed date time then the dialog used to display the state of the Process throughout its duration like that when initiated interactively is NOT displayed The Process simply activates as a hidden background task and does not interfere with the general operation of the PC or other applications work currently being carried out on it Mechanics of a Process
43. e Tank Reconciliation e Tank Variance e Transactions including both TRN amp ETF Transaction data files The data contained in the following files overwrites any existing data in the 4COM database e Site Parameters Tank Parameters 4DET Configuration e Statistics Tank Inventory In particular if Tank Parameter or 4DET Configuration files are imported AND there is no corresponding Site modeled in the database then the corresponding site is created with default properties Lastly only PCC file types which are able to be imported into the Database are able to be selected for importing that is Grade Price Alarm and Card Files are NOT able to imported as the primary purpose of these files is for transmission to sites in the network CSV Card Import Unlike other PCC data files which are read back from a PCC to the 4COM host PC a card files primary purpose in life is for sending to site PCC s from the 4COM host PC There may be times however for instance when setting up a 4COM system for a site that has already been commissioned by another party that it is necessary to extract the cards from the PCC and import them into the 4COM database this saves manual entry into 4COM and avoids data entry errors Using an Interactive Site Communications session the site PCC can be contacted and the card file retrieved Next using the View Card File option from the Tools menu the native PCC card file retrieved in the previous step can be
44. either manually or automatically utilising the PCC s end calibration threshold e Retrieve amp process the calibration profile Send the processed calibration profile back to site and configure the PCC to use the calibration profile in volume calculations The PCC auto calibration process essentially takes snapshots of product heights while at the same time monitoring what is being dispensed through hoses connected to the tank from an initially near full state to a near empty state i e one complete cycle In this manner the PCC is able to build an accurate volume height profile for use in product height to volume conversion Of course this profile depends very much on key tank properties which need to be configured in both the PCC tank parameters file and the ATG console To get the best results e Ensure Dispenser meter calibration is as tight as possible e Ensure the tank dimensions diameter and capacity are as accurate as possible and that these PCC tank properties are the same as those in the ATG console Let the auto calibration process run over as wide a range as possible preferably one complete cycle near full to near empty Ensure no dispenser servicing or calibration checks are done during the auto calibration process whereby small amounts of fuel are reintroduced poured back into the tank As stated the key properties from which this level to volume conversion are derived can be found in the tank properties dialog
45. even though the database server is IS the same local machine PC 4COM Database connectivity will be lost 4COM client apps if open when the network cable is unplugged will become inoperable When LocalHost is used to specify the IB_SERVER component of the Database specification parameter this will NOT be the case It is important to note that if the database specification changes and it is found the Process Scheduler service is running on the same PC then the Process Scheduler service is first 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 12 4COM Site Management System stopped The user is then requested whether it should be restarted using the new database specification Firebird uses TCP Port 3050 to communicate database requests between clients amp servers Note there is NO need to share the folder in which the database resides as database client applications communicate to the Server via TCP which in turn controls writes to the actual file on the hard disk 4COM is licensed for a specified number of concurrent users of the main 4COM Manager application A client connection count is maintained by the application s which increments on every new connection of the 4COM Manager application and decrements on exiting the application Where abnormal termination of the 4COM Manager application results in this count value becoming out of sink with the number of active connections the Recover Lost Connec
46. exceeds the warning limit the result code is set to warning If 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 137 the count exceeds the failed limit the result code is set to Action The current column displays today s count as at the time of interrogation The Statistics Summary Report only displays sites and event counts which exceed the warning or failed thresholds to produce an exception report for quickly determining whether any sites require further investigation and possible service The following descriptions relate to the events that are counted A cause and recommended course of action are suggested 1 Cause Action 2 Cause Action No Valid Statistics File A problem occurred in the dialup session with the site which prevented the statistics data file from being collected Examine the communication Log Report This audit of the dial up session will show if a modem connection was made with the site and if any subsequent errors occurred Re dial the site using the process single site option If the dial up is still unsuccessful no further analysis of the site is possible until the problem has been rectified and a successful dialup has been completed Call the distributor for service PCC Reset The PCC has been powered off and on a number of times during the last 24hour period or mains glitches are affecting the equipment on the site Examine the Site
47. filter applies a logical AND between each criteria element Using the filter criteria shown in the example only transaction records where the grade dispensed was Diesel AND the vehicle with a registration recorded contained the character sequence MR2453 AND where the timestamp recorded for the transaction was on or after 26 June 2003 will be displayed Note some fields require literal specification others do not as indicated by containing specified text Note the filter only remains applied while the users remain in the folder to which the filter was applied That is if the user moves to another folder in the Folders tree in the Manager then moves back to the folder to which the filter was applied the filter will no longer be in effect and ALL records for that folder will be displayed Filter Specification Time Frame Other Grade Unleaded 91 Transaction PAN Vehicle Reg 2453 Dispenser Hose containing specified text containing specified text 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Explaining the user interface 31 2 4 Keyboard short cuts Whether browsing information in a 4COM Manager or viewing information in a properties dialog various keyboard shortcuts are available to perform common actions Most of the keyboard shortcuts described below relate to grid type operations and are also av
48. impact on dip stick interpreted Tank volumes e g 2 4m diameter 54000 litre tank 12m Length 1mm 30I 901 e Calibration reference Volume The base tank dimensions diameter and capacity influence the calculation of the calibration reference volume The absolute volume figures are dependant on the calibration reference volume The calibration profile shape then is the most important attribute rather than the absolute volume at a given level as once the shape of the calibration profile is correct it can be shifted up or down as necessary to match dip stick readings e Tank Tilt The combination on the magnitude of the tank tilt and the distance between the dip stick and probe can have a significant impact on the variation between probe and dip stick readings e g 2 4m diameter 54000 litre tank 12m length 1 30 1 Dip stick 12m from probe worst case tank tilt of 0 14 degrees 30mm 900L Dip stick 2 4m from probe tank tilt of 0 24 degrees 10mm 300L 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 104 4COM Site Management System e Tank Distortions steel tank shape change 4 2 5 Common Tank Calibration Problems Not necessarily a problem but possibly due to the ATG Console capacity and or diameter properties being different to that of the PCC 15000 Theory L Raw Cal L 42000 Cal Volume L B 0E D EAM
49. in all likely hood this feature would NOT have been installed However if it has been installed then the currently defined Price Schedules in the system can be viewed by selecting the Price Schedules folder in the left hand pane of the 4COM Manager Price Schedule Properties From the Price Schedule folder in the 4COM Manager the user is able to Open and delete any currently defined Price Schedules or indeed create new ones using the pop up menu provided The Price Schedule Properties dialog is provided for these purposes A Price Schedule is simply a collection schedule of prices for grades grouped together with a reference name for the schedule This reference name is what is used to identify the Price Schedule for maintenance purposes and also most importantly the linkage between the site and the price schedule in the Site Properties Dialog Price Schedule Properties Price Changes for May 2004 Scheduled Grade Price Changes Grade Price Scheduled Date Time Schedules Confirm Prem 96 Ee Unleaded 91 1 234 17 05 2004 12 38 00 1 2 3 4 F Scheduled Grade Price Change Diesel Price 1 000 Operating Scheules Schedule 1 Schedule 3 d le2 Schedule 4 Date Time 19 10 2004 11 17 v Schedule 2 v Schedule 4 Confirm zs 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Working with 4COM 89 To make an amendment to a grade price open the sele
50. in the tank calibration profile under construction hence the terminology suspended While Suspended the PCC uses the volumes provided by the ATG controller or a theoretical model of the tank shape based on the product height in it s Wetstock control processes and reports It will automatically resume the tank calibration In Calibration state when the volume again drops below level at which it last suspended Note the tank calibration process can suspend any number of times before it finally terminates though for best results the tank contents should be managed in such a way that the tank calibration takes place through one complete cycle from the start to end calibration thresholds without suspending Unprocessed When the volume for a tank drops below the end calibration threshold the PCC automatically terminates the calibration process for that tank following the next delivery into the tank That is the tank calibration status does not automatically change to the Unprocessed state as soon as the end calibration threshold has been crossed If tanks are manifolded the volume for all the manifolded tanks must be below their stop calibration thresholds The PCC will continue to use the volumes provided by the ATG controller or a theoretical model of the tank shape based on the product height in it s Wetstock control processes and reports until the tank calibration files have been processed Although the PCC s auto calibration proce
51. including the Process Scheduler service 4COM Setup tt Configuration IMPROTANT Before attempting to restore the database from the last backup ensure there are no database client connections That is ensure ALL 4COM Manager client connections have been terminated Furthermore ensure the Process Scheduler service has been stopped on the machine from which it is run Note also that data collected from sites in the network after the last backup will NOT be restored After the restore completes you should use the 4COM Manager to retrieve this data as soon as possible before it is overwritten the remote site PCCs and becomes unrecoverable Database General Timeouts SMTP Settings Modem Dialing DB Restore DK Cancel IMPORTANT The database will be completely rebuilt from the backup file so it is important the backup file be up to date to prevent unnecessary data loss That is why it is important to implement a regular backup regime 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 127 4 9 4 9 1 Database Update 4COM suite of applications utilises an Firebird database to store the site amp system configuration data together with the site forecourt related data From time to time new builds of 4COM are released which provide additional functionality and or fix bugs which have been identified In some of these situations particula
52. most of which option however it will often be necessary to specify the Site s on which to report on When this has done press the OK button to view the report on the screen Once displayed the toolbar allows the user to print the report From the Print Properties dialog the user is able to specify the usual print options in addition to some unique print to file options using a large number of file types By default all reports saved to a file are stored in the users My Documents folder 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 70 4COM Site Management System 3 5 3 5 1 Imports One of 4COM primary functions is that of data collection Data is maintained in an SQL compliant Firebird database and is accessed using the 4COM Manager The site data maintained by the PCC on the other hand is NOT stored in an Firebird database primarily because of the architecture of the PCC hardware platform Data is held in proprietary files These files then are the focus of the file transfers actions in communications sessions established with the PCC When these files arrive at the 4COM PC from the site they are imported into the 4COM Database Of course all of this is intrinsic to the nature of the operation of the communications sessions and appears transparent to the user The same functionality to perform these file imports is also exposed to the user as Native PCC File imports Although this will no
53. mounted for exclusive use by that dispenser side or filling position The can be used for e Attendant tagging for dispenser authorization Customer tagging for card tag read and customer profile data Displaying Automatic Vehicle Identification status display Supervisor tagging to release a dispenser from a exception error lock down Event Description Online PCC established communications with the TVD Offline PCC lost communications with the TVD Diagnostic Reset Supervisor tag released dispenser from exception lock down 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 122 4COM Site Management System 4 6 2 21 Tank Probe Node contains the tank number Event Description Delivery Detected Start of delivery detected Data measured Delivery measured Description contains the amount delivered and the new tank volume Delivery Aborted Delivery no longer detected Amount measured less than minimum Too small threshold Triggered Description contains the active alarm type and hex code word eg High Product Low product High water Suspect leak sudden loss Device Reset Alarm condition reset Description contains the active alarm type and hex code word Calibration On Tank calibration process activated manually by host or automatically by PCC Calibration Off Tank calibration process deactivated manually by host or automatically by PCC
54. network it is first necessary to model each of the Sites in the 4COM database 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Working with 4COM 39 3 1 3 1 1 Modeling sites Because the Focus Forecourt Configuration application is configures many of the PCC Tank amp 4DET parameters historically only ever able to be configured using 4COM modelling sites in 4COM is a very easy procedure It should be noted however the configuration of a site using the Forecourt Configuration application is beyond the scope of this document Importantly though only a subset of the site configuration properties aspects found int the Focus Foecourt Configuration application are found in 4COM in fact only those properties required for teh reporting and or site communictions The basic principle then involves creating Site entities in the 4COM database the properties of which model the real sites in the fuel distribution network Because most of these parameters for the site are stored in the PCC and these parameters should have already been configured using the Focus Forecourt Configuration application it is first necessary to specify only the basic site information required to perform communications with the site for the purpose of fetching the site configuration As briefly described above before ANY site communications can take place it is necessary to first define the minimum PCC communications properties for the site
55. parent Report or Process dialogs nominated site list 71 Select Sites Sites 0 Object s Selected Site Name Address 1 564694 Trevs TruckStop Unit F 8 Piermark 564696 Tonys Truck In Unit F 8 Piermark Dris 564698 Terrys Truck Haven Unit F 8 Piermark Dris 564700 Taylors Truck Stop n Chomp Unit F 8 Piermark Dris mm The sites listed in this dialog are all those currently modelled in the database which are NOT already included in the users specification report and or Process AND which meet the filter criteria specified if specified at all This prevents the user from specify a site more than once Because the number of sites listed here could potentially be quite high depending on the size of the fuel distribution network the user is provided with the ability to filter the sites listed such that only those meeting the users specified filter criteria are listed The Filter button opens the Site Filter Properties dialog shown below In this dialog the user is able to specify Name Address and Contact filter criteria These fields are NOT literal in that if the character sequence specified is found anywhere in the appropriate field s then the corresponding site is included in the parent Select Sites dialogs list of sites Note too that existing groupings can be utilised to base the list of sites presented in the Select Sites dialog That is the user is able to select sites from only the list of sites refere
56. per site Tank Variance 76 1 record per forecourt tank per hour day per site depending on status of Log Hourly Tank data Site Events 73 1 record per Site Event event Transactions 162 etf 1 record per transaction event 116 trn Audit 91 1 record per audit event Site Properties 3000 1 record per Site Tank Properties 500 1 record per forecourt tank per site Site Statistics 100 1 record per forecourt tank per site Tank Inventory 400 1 record per forecourt tank per site CardPlans 819 1 record per family Cardplan of cards Cards 40 1 record per card tag e g Network of 4 sites 400 vehicles with Tank Gauging and Card Transaction Processing activities assume 1 diesel tank per site 2 deliveries per day through entire network and 253 Transactions per day across entire network Note excluding any diagnostics activities Static Installed Sites 4 sites 3k each Tanks 1 tank per site 4 Sites 4 Tanks 0 5k each Tank Inventory 1 tank per site 4 Sites 4 Tanks 0 4k each Cardbase assume 400 cards 20 04k each and 1 CardPlan record 0 819k TOTAL Dynamic Transactions 253 X 9 0 162k per day Tank Deliveries 2 0 145k per day Tank Reconciliation 1 tank per site 4 Sites 4Tanks 0 048k day 0 192k per day TOTAL 2Meg 12k 2k 1 6k 16k 0 8k 2 0324Mb 40 986k per day 0 290k per day 41 468 kb per day i e Database would be static lt 2 04 Mb in size and continue to gro
57. requested for a specified date and time window 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 135 4 11 10 Dispenser Extended Transactions Report This report lists the full transaction details made under the control of a forecourt card authorisation terminal e g Postec 4DET Island Card Readers e Gilbarco CRIP system Transaction while POS offline e Tagging Visual Displays TVDs Unlike the Dispenser Transaction Report it logs not only the standard transaction data fields shown in the Dispenser Transaction report but also the data fields captured under x fuel forecourt operation The following fields are displayed for each transaction record e Transaction Date and time Transaction sequence number Odometer reading entered on the 4DET Transaction code description e g normal Sale Cancelled Zero fill limit reached blocked card etc Pump Number including sub hose number for MPD Grade of fuel Unit Price Sale Volume amount Sale Dollar Amount Attendant No applicable for attendant Tagging forecourt operation Tag No applicable for attendant Tagging forecourt operation Transaction Type EPS Finalisation error status POS Finalisation error status Vehicle Registration Vehicle Running Engine Hours The report can be requested for a specified date and time window 4 11 11 Card Transactions Report This report displays the transactions grouped and sub total
58. right click the grid to add or remove sites as required The PCC File Types group of check boxes is where the native PCC file types are nominated When the correct sites and PCC files have been nominated press the Go button to perform the export Note the default location folder of the files created in this export is that where the PCC files are stored when they are retrieved from sites in the users Documents My PCC Files folder Note that for each site in the list each PCC file type file is generated Of course the Card File and the Grade Price file assume the appropriate linkage has been established in the 4DET and Site Properties dialogs respectively Only PCC file types able to be transmitted to sites are able to be generated namely e Site Parameters 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Working with 4COM 75 3 6 2 3 6 3 e Tank Parameters e 4DET Configuration e Card Files e Grade Price Schedule e Alarm Files Custom Exports Often in large corporate environments where enterprise management systems are used as the primary means to maintain corporate data it is sometimes a requirement that this data be sourced from 4COM A typical example is where an enterprise billing system may be utilised to bill customers for fuel transactions conducted in a fuel distribution network in which 4COM is used to extract the individual transaction details from sites For this purpose custom
59. string SITE in the file name will instruct the RCC to place its site number in the file name to maintaining unique files for the different sites on the host computer e g Site number 004060 T SITE TNK Transmit the Tank file 004060 TNK 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 110 4COM Site Management System If the file is a circular buffer file e g Pump Totals file or Event file the RCC will transmit data for the day on which the alarm was triggered e g Site number 004060 Date 23 02 90 Time 11 28 30 9eT SITE TOT Transmit the Tank file 004060 TOT with data from 23 02 1990 00 00 00 onwards Request File This tells the RCC to request the file name following from the remote computer Placing the string SITE in the file name will instruct the RCC to place its site number in the file name e g Site number 004060 Q SITE PAR Request the Parameter file 004060 PAR file Message File This tells the RCC to create an Alarm Message file with the text following and transmit it to the remote computer The file name is made up from the Site number and a message file sequence number range 1 99 generated by the RCC e g Site number 000460 Next message file sequence number 67 M This is an Alarm Message Create message file name 000460 A67 Put This is an Alarm Message in the file Transmit the file to the remote computer If the Macro SITE is inserted as text in the mess
60. tank in the units of tank volume This is particularly important for ullage calculations as represented in the Tank Inventory reports e Diameter The internal diameter of the tank in the units of tank level e Safe Fill Level This is an information only fields used in Tank Inventory reporting to determinet the ullage This value defaults the the default Tank Safe Fill percentage defined in the Options dialog from teh tools manu in the 4COM Manager of the Capacity property when creating new tanks for Site s or importing tank retrieved vai PCC files but can be set to any value the user deems appropriate for the individual tank e Manifolds To This allows a tank to be configured either as a master tank or as a slave tank This is used for dispensers which draw fuel from multiple tanks Multiple slave tanks can should be manifolded to a single master tank That is where more than 2 tanks are manifolded together all slave tanks should manifold to a single common manifold master tank Tank 1 Master tank manifolded property None Tank 2 manifoldes to Tank 1 Tank 3 manifoldes to Tank 1 IS an appropriate tank manifolding configuration Tank 1 Master tank manifolded property None Tank 2 manifoldes to Tank 1 Tank 3 manifoldes to Tank 2 is NOT appropriate manifolding configuration It is therefore important the manifolding configuration reflect the logical configuration constrainst imposed by the sustem rather than a possibly different p
61. the PCC for extraction using 4COM In this manner at say the end of the month all the transactions are able to be identified for billing or for statistics analysis Price Schedules e Alarm Templates Currently several technologies are utilised at the 4DET terminal depending on the hardware platform fitted These include e Standard magnetic cards e iButton tags e Mifare contact less smart cards amp tags Because the business model of any oil company dictates whether forecourts in their fuel distribution network operate in this manner the functionality to manage this in 4COM is optional and consequently may not be installed However when installed the CardPlans folder in the 4COM Manager is used to access all CardPlans and Cards tags known to the system It shows the hierarchical nature of the CardPlans and child Card objects Similarly a Vehicle Fleets folder in the 4COM Manager is also used to access all alphanumeric vehicle registrations against which dispenser validation may also be performed by the PCC though always in conjunction with card s PAN from a CardPlan Like sites are modeled in the 4COM database the cards amp Vehicles too have to be modeled Itis important that Sites in the network are linked to the cards amp Vehicles in the card management system in 4COM The Site Properties dialog for the site is where this linkage occurs It is also equally important that a communications session be established with an ins
62. to sites transaction data is collected using 4COM and a custom export provided to export the transactions for use in say an in house billing system When data is transmitted to sites the data needs to be converted to a format compatible with the PCC file architecture proprietary file format This function like the native PCC file import functionality is intrinsic to the operation of site communications and transparent to the user This functionality too has been made accessible to the 4COM user in the from of Native PCC File Exports though why don t know Again like the custom imports case and indeed consistent with the rest of 4COM only those exports applicable to the 4COM customer are displayed and can be accessed in the 4COM Manager Native PCC files To create export native PCC files from data contained in the 4COM database select Native PCC Files from Exports folder in the 4COM Manager The Native PCC File Export dialog provides the user with the necessary tools to create these file Native File Export Sites PCC File Types Gite Name Site Parameters z Tank Parameters 123 Fast Fuel Motors s 554534 Trevs TruckStop ADET Parameters 564696 Tonys Truck In v Grade Prices Alarm Definitions 564698 Terrys Truck Haven 554700 Taylors Truck Stop n Chomp The sites for which PCC Files are to be created displayed in the grid Use the browse button or
63. username amp password access to SBC functions through FTP amp Telnet It is important to note than when initiating SBC tasks send receive PEPs Extended Card or BIN Files or Receive PEPs Transactions that the IP Address of the remote PCC General Tab be that of the SBC hardware NOT the PCC Any PCC related tasks activities i e receive tank Inventory will be routed through to the PCC by the SBC hardware as required 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Working with 4COM 45 Site Properties General Aux Devices Dial Parameters Additional Information Alarms SBC CardPlans Integrated companion SBC Telnet Properties UserName Password wadeva FTP Properties UserName hoeva2 Password wadeva2 Inbox PEPS INBOX OutBox PEPS OUTBOX CardPlans The CardPlans page provides the linkage between the cards defined to the site The linkage is done by nominating which of the CardPlans defined in 4COM the site will accept In this manner depending on the authorisation type chosen positive or negative for the individual CardPlans 4COM is able to determine the appropriate list of cards to send to the site when requested Of course this option only applies where External Card source option in the 4COM Control Panerl extension is NOT enabled When enabled any CardPlans assigned to the site validation rules defined here i e positive negativ
64. viewed in Notepad Note by default the action View card file creates a file with the same name but a txt extension in the users My Documents folder Lastly by selecting CSV Card File Import from the imports node in the left hand tree pane of the 4COM Manager the user is able to nominate the CSV text file created in the previous step and import these into 4COM The following restrictions apply when importing a CSV card file e If the CardPlan of the cards in the import file does NOT exist in 4COM already then an appropriate CardPlan is created from the information contained in the CardPlan header record s in the import file and the cards imported If the CardPlan of the cards in the import file already exists in 4COM the import proceeds ONLY if the key CardPlan properties CardPlan Number Card Number Length Software PIN amp Grade Restrictions found in the import file match those of the existing CardPlan in 4COM Note the user is prompted whether to invalidate any existing cards for the CardPlan before hand such that only cards in the import file will be Authorised after the import completes If a CardPlan header record is incomplete in specification or has invalid key data then ALL subsequent cards belonging following to the CardPlan are ignored in the import until another CardPlan header record if one exists is encountered in the import file The linkage allocation of the CardPlans found in the import file to sites s is NOT implem
65. vl On the next page titled Parameters the user is able to specify the record selection criteria applicable to the data source upon which the template is based Note at present only simple date based record selection criteria is able to be specified with the exception of when a template is chosen which is based on the PCC Transactions entity whereby the transactions alternatively selected on the basis of the CardPlan to which they belong Generic Export General Parameters Period Date From 15 11 1964 00 00 CardPlan AVIATION vl Note when transaction selection is based on a nominated CardPlan the site page below is not relevant and consequently not displayed With other data entities the record selection can be site based in addition to the timeframe using the period properties and so the Site page is used to specify the site s from which data will be selected for inclusion in the export 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 78 4COM Site Management System 1 Site s When the user has specified all the pertinent details simply press the OK to generate the file The file gets saved to the location nominated users then have to use Windows Explorer to locate and open view it or emailed to the intended specified recipients The Generic Export is also able to be included in a Process f
66. way the custom export can routinely and regularly perform its function extracting the required data from the 4COM for use in the external enterprise management systems without the need for human intervention Because each custom export is specific to the end users requirements the details of each are NOT discussed in this generic 4COM document However users will be made aware of the specific details of functionality and operation prior to use Generic Export 4COM provides a Generic Export function which allows site data to be exported in a number of formats MS Excel HTML amp text In addition to this the data can be formatted in that the user is able to specify the fields from the appropriate tables for inclusion in the export in addition to basic parameters for record selection A Template Manager Tools Template Manager from the 4COM Manager main menu is used to create the Export templates which describe these field layouts In this way users can create many templates each for a specific purpose requirement 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 76 4COM Site Management System Template Manager Exports Alarms Reports D gt The following user defined export templates have been defined NAME Avis Wellington 3 Budget Wellington Hertz Wellington My Template The Custom Profile Properties dialog allows the user to chose the appropria
67. 0 J P 4 gt D JJ gt Furthermore the grade setup must consistent throughout all sites in the fuel distribution network That is you can not reference Diesel as grade 3 at one site and grade 4 at another 4COM comes pre loaded with the eight default grades shown Additional grades can be created if this is necessary In addition to this any of the existing grades may be opened for editing in the grade properties dialog provided Note grades must number sequentially therefore only the greatest logical grade can be deleted Furthermore and new grades created will automatically be assigned a grade number one greater than the last greatest existing grade defined in the database It should be noted that the ability to create update and delete Grades is reserved for the 4COM administrator user only Grade Properties Grade 3 User Data Name Diesel Data 1 Temp Coefficient 0 000813 Cancel The grade Name property should reflect the commonly used title name to uniquely identify the grade The grade Code property is an optional field that can be used to store an oil companies internal code used to uniquely identify the grade This is especially useful when this information is required to be included in custom exports of data from 4COM The temperature coefficient property is used by the PCC in Tank Gauging applications for temperature compensation of measurements to 15 Celsius Only the grade Name field must be uni
68. 10000 5000 i Y E t x DO tN oo tN N tN Oo p gon rc FOR gt Oo eco oo O oO e e e e e p a 5 xm D o Oo t 7 DOR N o 5 N N Dispenser sales made offline from the PCC 45000 Theory L 40000 14 Raw Cal L Cal Volume L 35000 Diff L 30000 25000 Same Volume encountered at two different tank levels indicates missed sales 200 15000 10000 5000 0 am ox qo uw xw N c xw oo x roo or m a t Ban od iD o rod 9 QC 5000 4 D o CQ 0 sx e e mo Again dispenser sales made while offline to PCC however this time over a very extended period time 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 40000 107 Theory L Cal L Cal Volume L Diff L 35000 30000 25000 20000 15000 10000 il i ET indicates sales made while PCC off line lt Again similar volumes at vastly different tank levels B LE 0 Oh Q w 99 tN
69. 4 User Manual Revision 25 0 27 Jun 2009 N 9 POSTEC Postec Data Systems Auckland New Zealand www postec co nz info postec co nz 4COM USER MANUAL 4COM Remote Site Management System COPYRIGHT Postec Data Systems All rights reserved No parts of this work may be reproduced in any form or by any means graphic electronic or mechanical including photocopying recording taping or information storage and retrieval systems without the written permission of the publisher Products that are referred to in this document may be either trademarks and or registered trademarks of the respective owners The publisher and the author make no claim to these trademarks While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this document the publisher and the author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions or for damages resulting from the use of information contained in this document or from the use of programs and source code that may accompany it In no event shall the publisher and the author be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damage caused or alleged to have been caused directly or indirectly by this document Publisher Postec Data Systems Managing Editor Bryan Skellern Technical Editors Bryan Skellern Michael Simpson Cover Designer Logan Maire Team Coordinator Michael Simpson Production Rachel Win Special thanks to All the people who contributed to thi
70. 4COM Manager to explore and view the list of 4COM Processes Right click the grid of available Processes and select new This will start the Process Wizard which will guide the user in the setting up of a Process through a series of simple high level questions On the first page of the wizard the user is requested to nominate the type of functionality required This determines the site instructions or files s which will be sent requested from each of the sites you will nominate later in the wizard One or more functions are able to be specified here The check box Auto Generate Reports determines whether reports relating to the function s nominated will be created as Post Process Instructions It is important to understand that although the functions are very general at this time the 4COM Process can be customised at the completion of the wizard and individual file s site instructions added or removed The default reports and their associated parameters can also be modified at the completion of the Process Wizard 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 64 4COM Site Management System Process Wizard Welcome to the Process Wizard This wizard will help vou create Process Wizard Select Function s Required Eum C Dieano process Wizard v Site Tolf Nominate Site s to Process Tank G Include Site s O Grade i Site Nam Process Wizard 564694 Trev E 5646
71. 9 1vO14 1vO14 1vO14 1 01 1vO14 3wiL31va SL YYHOYYA ANIANIL ANIANIL MH3931NI 3Wiia3iva SIS 3ovTn 113 34vS 5 39N3H343H OJN 380Hd ALISNSG dW3l 38ONd ALISN3G A1lISN3d GOs ALISN3d OL ALISN3G 1N3M302 SWYNSNLVLSIvV9 AN3IIWOO SNLVLSNOLLVYSIVO AVQS31S3ALNnOOSWINOO AINSYYNOLNNOOSWWOO AVGYALSSANOILVNINWLNOO AINSYYNONOILYNINVLNOO SniviSWauviv SNLWLSYNWL 39NVISVAONILVH3dO 39NVIMHVA310I SONVINVALHOINGIN SWNIOALSN 3Hnivu3dWar T3A31H831VM X901S1N3H3n2 LHOINGINLYYDOLS 3AVN3av3uo AHOAN3ANDINV L 99d 1 1 3WnTioAa39nvo 3ONVIHVAONILVH3dO 3ONVIHVA3 I 3IVN3OVH9 3avao 1VOT14 3ONVINHVA 1vO14 3OOS89NISO19 1vOl4 dIQONISOT12 1vO14 S3id3Ar1aa 1vO14 531 65 1vOl4 dIQSNIN3dO S HVHO JWYN3QY Y9 ANIANIL lt ANIANIL MNVL 131 0 H3931NI SWNIOASAWSIWLOL ANWASAWSIVLOL 3SOH 3WiL31va 315 S IVLOLOINOH1O313 99d NOILVIHIONOO3M 99d H3931NI Snivis H3931NI CERLA H3931NI LIWITONINSVM H3931NI AVGYSLSSALNNOOD H3931NI AVOOLLNnOO SWVN ANIANIL XSQNILVLS M3931NI SOLSILVLS 90d 55204 viva Ze vHOHVA NOlLdl2S301N3A3 33931NI 30021N3A3 ANIANIL ze vHOHVA 3WvN39IA3a 33931NI ai3oiA3a 3wiL31va 3wi131va 3931NI 31s 3931NI GILN3A3 SIN3A3 90d SIWLOL 99d
72. 96 Tony Specify When to Execute the Process 564698 Terr 564700 DIE Frequency Process Wizard When 4 Site s Specify a Reference Name lime 00 j Enabled Name 02451 Process Wizard Finishing the Process Wizard Congratulations You have successfully configured a Process to dial the following Site s Site Name Kad 564694 Trevs TruckStop 564696 Tonys Truck In 564698 Terrys Truck Haven m and perform the the following functions Site Totals Monitoring Tank Gauging To save this configuration and exit the wizard click Finished The next page in the wizard requests that the user choose or nominate the site s from the 4COM network the 4COM Process will communicate with The standard site selection dialog is provided allowing the user to sort filter and select the sites from the list provided The next page of the wizard requests the user nominate when the 4COM process should be executed automatically when the Process Scheduler service is started Only enabled 4COM Processes are executed at their appointed time from the Process Scheduler The Auto create Process of Failed Sites check box enables a new Process containing the same Pre Site and Post Instructions as the 4COM Process being created here however referencing only the sites that failed to have all site instructions successfully e
73. Alternatively the custom import can be selected from the list of available imports to be executed as a Pre Processing Instruction in the context of a Process in the Pre Process Instruction Properties dialog Usually various options parameters specific to the import have to be supplied at this time also In this way the custom import can routinely and regularly perform its function updating the 4COM database with information from external enterprise management systems without the need for human intervention Because each custom import is specific to the end users requirements the details of each are NOT discussed in this generic 4COM document However users will be made aware of the specific details of functionality and operation prior to use 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 74 4COM Site Management System 3 6 3 6 1 Exports Like data imports exports too play a key role to the one of the primary functions of 4COM analysis Exports allow the data collected using 4COM and of course the Process Scheduler and stored in the 4COM database to be made available and used elsewhere in other in house management systems Thus 4COM is sometimes used just as a data collection tool with the data being exported from it for use in other systems An example of this is where in the previous import case where a custom import was utilised to get cards information from an external system into 4COM then
74. C s that do NOT have the Firebird server software installed onto it AND where 4COM access is desired Remember if you desire to be run in single user mode the majority of installations where 4COM and the database will reside and be accessed from only a single PC then this step is not necessary 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Introducing 11 1 4 Configuring 4COM to run on a PC for the first time After the installation completes the user must first run an installed 4COM Control Panel extension located in the Windows Control Panel to configure some of the basic parameters for the PC from which 4COM is to be run The Control Panel extension application is divided into 6 tabs and once set these properties seldom need revisiting DB Connection Before starting 4COM or the Process Scheduler it is first necessary to nominate the 4COM database to which you will be connecting On each of the 4COM client PC s locate amp run the 4COM Control Panel extension and on the tab titled Database specify the location of the 4COM database 4COM Setup amp Configuration Database General Timeouts SMTP Settings Modem Dialing DB Restore Utils Database localhost c Program Files Postec 4COM D atabases4COM fdb Registered 4COM Manager Connections Handle Last Accessed Comment lt gt Total Registered Manager Connections 0 2007 07 07 17 03 02 Recover
75. I Controller VIU Authentication Err AVI controller failed to read and authenticate the Vehicle tag Nozzle channel or vehicle tag could be faulty There might to be too much distance between the nozzle reader and the tag Grade Restriction Vehicle tag reports grade restriction prohibiting grade available from the nozzle being used Sale cannot proceed other than as an AVI override transaction VIU Blocked Vehicle identification Unit or Tag has been blocked from use by the System Probably for security or payment reasons Device Disabled AVI controller reports channel error or If PCC loses comms with AVI controller Device disabled logged for all configured channels Nozzles mapped to the channels which have been shut down cannot be used until released by Supervisor currently by presenting Supervisor Tag at Tagging Visual Display Device Enabled channel has been re enabled after being disabled Fall Back Mode Supervisor released nozzle for use after AVI channel fault New VIU Error A new VIU or vehicle tag has been detected during the same dispenser sale The transaction is terminated with the sale being recorded against the original vehicle VIU Sequence Error A VIU or vehicle tag has been detected part way through a non AVI transaction The transaction is terminated with the sale not being recorded against the vehicle tag Driver Vehicle No mismatch Driv
76. LVSITVNIJSOd 3AVN3dALNOLLOVSNVH L S3dALNOILOVSNVHIL ONAINVON3LI V SHnOH3NION3 NOILLVHISIO3H3T1OIH3A anivAa1vs 3WniTo a1vs SSI LINN 3avao 3SOH 1 1 JWYNALIS ais GINOMLOVSNVEL SNOILOYSNYYL 29 D 1987 20 130 4COM Site Management System 4 11 Reports The comprehensive array of reports 4COM are divided into the primary applications 4COM provides as shown below SITE TOTALS MONITORING STM REPORTS Dispenser Grade Totals e Dispenser Hose Totals Report e Dispenser Electronic Totals Report e Dispenser Totals Reconciliation Report AUTO TANK GAUGING ATG REPORTS e Tank Inventory Report e Tank Delivery Report e Tank Reconciliation Report e Tank Variance Report UNATTENDED SITE REFUELING REPORTS e Dispenser Transaction Report e Dispenser Extended Transaction Report e Card Transaction Report e Network Card Transaction Report DIAGNOSTIC REPORTS e Site Statistics Report e Site Events Report e Site Configuration Report e Audit Report CENTRALISED DISPENSER SELLING PRICE REPORTS e Historical Grade Prices Report 4 11 1 Dispenser Totals Reconciliation Report This report compares the PCCs dispenser totals with that of the actual dispensers and is used to highlight sales that have been made offline to the PCC Two data sources are required for this report These are the Dispenser Totals and the Disp
77. Lost Connections Importantly the single parameter should be of the format IB_SERVER PATH DATABASE FDB i e XYZCompanyServer c Program Files Postec 4COM Database 4COM fdb Alternatively instead of the human readable assigned DBMS server name the IP address of the same DBMS server be used 10 0 0 123 c Program Files Postec 4COM Database 4COM fdb Connect button is provided to test the users database specification If the connect test fails it is necessary to revise the database specification until a successful connection is established Reasons why a database connection may not be established are e Incorrect path specification e Firebird Server is not currently running Using the Windows Start menu locate and run the Firebird Server Manager for verification on the PC where the 4COM database file resides Active 4COM database connections 1 Important for local database configurations where the database amp Firebird DBMS resides on the same PC as the 4COM client application s and NOT another PC on the network it is important that the local PC Name or IP address is NOT used and that instead LocalHost is used i e LocalHost c Program Files Postec 4COM 4COM fdb as depicted in the above image Both the local PC Name and or the IP address of the local PC requires a DNS lookup and when network connectivity is lost network cable unplugged even momentarily DNS connectivity is lost and
78. NOT retried the number of time defined for a Process When all sites have been dialed the Post Instructions are executed this may include the printing of reports etc When this has completed the Process dialog finally closes 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Working with 4COM 69 3 4 Reporting One of 4COMs primary function is that of analysis This is made available through a comprehensive set of Forecourt reports for a diverse range of forecourt applications including Diagnostics e Site Totals Monitoring Tank Gauging e Transaction Processing e Remote Grade Pricing Of course it is first necessary to collect the site data from sites using Interactive Site Communications session or user initiated or unattended multi site processing using pre configured Processes Using the 4COM Manager explore the Reports folder to view the comprehensive list of reports available Note the reports listed will depend on which features that have been enabled To interactively view a report open the required report in the 4COM manager and supply the required parameters Grade Totals Report Parameters Date Restrictions C Paginate by Site From 15 11 1964 06 28 Sub Totals Daily Custom Comment By Shift Site Restrictions Site Name 3011 Grants Gas n Go 123 Fast Fuel Motors s Note each report type has a different set of parameters
79. NT The Firebird backup may take a significant amount of time to complete this may take hours depending on the size and fragmentation of the source database and can be extremely resource intensive BE PATIENT AND ALLOW THE BACKUP TO COMPLETE SO THAT THE UPDATE OF THE DATABASE CAN COMENCE If necessary run the backup at the end of the day when users will not require access to the PC on which it is run Restoring a Database from a Previous Backup 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 126 4COM Site Management System Should the 4COM database file become corrupt in any way and you need to resort to an earlier backup you can simply restore the 4COM gdb file from the 4COM gbk located in the 4COM folder using the database restore functionality provided on the last page of the 4COM Control Panel extension from the Windows Control Panel Note it is essential that prior to running the DBRestore utility that there are NO connections to the 4COM database That is though the DBBackup utility can function with current database connections though significantly impacting the overall performance of the database server on which it is run the DBRestore utility can NOT In corporate environments where a multi user scenario may exist It is necessary to ensure that ALL 4COM clients are not using the 4COM database in any way This includes ALL of the supportive 4COM applications found in the 4COM application folder
80. ab Other allows the user to set a tolerance around which Warning records will be posted to the audit trail if the PCCs clock is found to differ to the PC s system clock Note the PCC clock is read automatically at the start of every communications session whether initiated interactively or as part as a user initiated or scheduled 4COM Process Also the Default Tank Safe Fill level is used to set the default safe fill level for a tank indicated in the Tank Properties dialog based on its full capacity This Safe fill level can be over ridden by the user when entering updating Tank Properties 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Explaining the user interface 35 4COM Options Personal Data Management Uther Local Remote Timestamp Tolerance 5 minutes Default Tank Safe Fill Level 35 26 2 Customising the Grid View The user is able to customise the grid in which site data appears This function is only available for the following folders Events Site Statistics Dispenser Totals Dispenser Electronic Totals Tank Inventory Tank Deliveries Tank Reconciliation Tank Variance Transactions PCC Tanks Dispensers 4DET Cards The user is able to choose any of the fields listed in the Available Fields List for inclusion in the grid The order in which the fields appear as columns can also be specified Recall also that the user is also able to re order t
81. age string the RCC will replace this with the 6 digit site number If the Macro is inserted as text in the message string the RCC will replace this with the 4 digit site number suitable for ECL s alarm monitoring system The ECL site number is derived from the 4 least significant digits of the RCC 6 digit site number with an offset of 5000 added e g Site number 123469 Next message file sequence number 72 M ECL 001 Create message file name 123469 A72 Put 8469001 in the file Transmit the file to the remote computer Alarm Trigger This provides the trigger Date and Time for timed alarms The string following consists of 2 character fields for Month Date Hour Minute Second If you put a non numeric character in a field that field is not tested when testing for alarm trigger This provides a flexible system for one off or periodic task processing e g 1 AMMDD2030SS Triggers the alarm at 8 30pm every day e g 2 A11DD2030SS Triggers the alarm at 8 30pm every day in November e g 3 A11302030SS Triggers the alarm at 8 30pm on the 30 November Trigger Delay This provides a delay between the time an alarm is first triggered and when the RCC Begins to process it The delay time is specified in minutes 1 99 If the alarm Reset Action field 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 111 is set to 1 Reset on trigger condition stop an
82. ailable Remote modem communications where the PCC uses a fixed land line or a GSM modem e LAN WAN TCP IP communications available in the near future Of course 4COM can be used with a mixture of the above methodologies 4COM simplifies the task of performing this forecourt communications by offering Interactive Site Communications where sites can be contacted in an ad hoc basis to send retrieve data to from Also for routine communications tasks with a large number of sites 4COM provides the user with the ability to define complex Processes in which a number of tasks can be performed on a number of sites in the fuel distribution network Furthermore this concept has the added ability in that it can be automated to happen on a regular basis without requiring user initiation or intervention Analysis The analysis aspect of 4COM s primary function is enabled by a comprehensive array of reports and the ability of third parties to integrate their management systems directly to the 4COM Database or indirectly through custom imports and exports The Data reporting importing and exporting like the communications aspect is available to the user in both an interactive manner and can also be integrated into the Process concept in an automated manner The Reporting and exporting is the end means then of 4COM the Communications then is the vehicle which allows this However before communication can be established with sites in a fuel distribution
83. ailable Card Plans Name EVEN ODD DDD ODD ODD EVEN NO CARDS R NZMP lan Vehicle Fleets Name DIESE v PCC Site parameters may differ from those displayed General Aux Devices Dial Parameters Additional Information Alarms PEPs CardPlans Allocated CardPlans Name Auth Exp Date Business Loc MINE TAGS Check Match PAN AVIATION Check Match PAN m lt gt Vehicle Fleets Name TRUCKS m Finally Transaction data can be sourced from the PEPs hardware directly Peps Transactions ptr file providing even greater volumes than possible with the PCC General Rules IMPORTANT NOTE To avoid validation confusion every card tag modelled in 4COM must be unique It is though possible to have two CardPlans with the same PAN Picture though they will have distinct sets of constituent cards tags In this way subsets of a group of cards tags can be used at one site while excluded from others 12344 Northern cards tags 12341 12343 12345 12346 12347 12344 Southern cards tags 12340 12342 12343 12348 12349 Site 123 can be allocated both CardPlans Northern amp Southern accepting cards 12340 12349 inclusive while site could be allocated only the Northern Cardplan resulting in only 5 cards being accepted Users would NOT be able to add card 12345 to the Southern CardPlan An error unique index violation would result 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd
84. ailable by right clicking the grid record and or selecting the action from the pop up menu provided Key Stroke Action Function Ctrl F Find record s in a grid Ctrl A Select All record s in a grid Delete key Deletes an object record Enter key Opens an object or presses the default button if this is the OK button then the object is saved and the dialog closed Esc key Exits an object properties dialog without saving changes Ctrl C Copies the selected object record in the grid or copies text within a control Ctrl V Paste text F5 Refresh records in a grid Because 4COM is very much an activity based application icons are often utilised to convey a state of action State Icons Operation action unprocessed due to be processed Operation action disabled Operation action successfully processed Operation action unsuccessfully processed failed Operation action currently being processed 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 32 4COM Site Management System 2 5 Selecting Sites The are many places in 4COM when the user is required to nominate site s for inclusion in an activity Process or Report For this reason the Select Sites dialog is provided as shown below The user is able to nominate or more sites using the standard Windows Ctrl Shift key selection techniques for inclusion in the
85. al data types the audit too if left unchecked will grow indefinitely For this reason if enabled the system can be configured to automatically removed old unwanted audit records beyond a user specified age whenever the 4COM Manager is started Lastly the PDL Access group of controls is used to specify which data collection pointer is used in the retrieval of transactions directly from the PDL which allows for a more streamlined faster data collection Because the controls on the data management page effectively control the removal of data from the database access to these controls is limited to only the 4COM Administrator user That is others users will NOT be able to make changes to the settings on this page 4COM Options Personal Data Management Other Auto Archive PDL Access Auto Archive every 30 days Head Office ge User 1 Prompt before amp uto Archiving User 2 i ser Default Archive Postec Archive historical data older than 0 days External Card Source C External Price Source Auto Purge Audit on Start Up Purge Audit Data Older Than 10 Days Two check boxes External Card Source amp External Price Source determine whether either of these entities are in fact derived from the database prior to transmission to site or in fact by a thirdly party application usually made available through some pre processing activity instruction as part of a 4COM Process Finally the last t
86. and pane each have context sensitive action s as displayed in a pop up menu available when the object is right clicked Most of these actions are also available from the tool buttons in the toolbar and also through the main menu Although information may often be presented in grid format such as the right hand panel of the 4COM Manager users are NOT able to edit fields here The record should first be opened ge either by right clicking the record of interest and selecting Open from the pop up menu provided or double clicking the record of interest or simply pressing the enter key on the selected record of interest In this way a Properties dialog is provided in which the user can make the necessary changes to field s then save their changes There are two notable exceptions to this namely Archives and CardPlans Both of these objects are folders of other folders and the default Open action does NOT provide the Properties dialog for each of these objects Here the default Open action opens the folder displaying the child objects of the selected record CardPlan or Archive in the grid Instead the user must right click the record Archive or CardPlan of interest in the grid and select Properties to view the properties of the create new H 4COM objects records ac Remote Site Management System LocalHost C Program Files Postec 4COM Database My 4COM gdb A Properties dialog is also utilised when users choose to Databa
87. ard should be able to be used at site s to obtain fuel its Authorised field should be checked In this manner both positive and negative authorised CardPlans can be managed from 4COM On the Additional Info page the user can specify any other additional card related fields such as perhaps Registration Number Driver Name etc Eight general purpose fields each 32 characters in length are provided No field validation is performed on any of these fields They are provided simply to store associated card data so that this data may be accessed utilised in a subsequent report export 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 82 4COM Site Management System General Additional Info Data1 Angela Data 2 Rocks Data 3 Contractor Data 4 7056 500082 12 Data 5 Unit A Data 45 Paul Matthews Road Data 7 Albany Data 8 Auckland 3 7 3 Fleet Properties The Fleet entity in 4COM is simply a collection object used to group vehicles registrations associated with Site s in a fuel distribution network Its only property is a name field used for reference purposes Fleet Propeties TRUCKS Cancel 3 7 4 Vehicle Properties The Vehicle Properties dialog is used to record the vehicle registrations against which dispenser validation will be done Some sort of alpha numeric input device will be required on site to capture these registration
88. arm conditions In the dial out properties the Dial Prefix and STD Code are conditionally prefixed to all Alarm phone numbers contained in the alarm template file sent to the PCC as specified in the Alarm Template control at the bottom In the Dial in group of properties the Default Aux Device property defines which Aux port which in turn defines which forecourt device the PCC will switch the modem port to once a modem connection has been established This allows communications directly with the forecourt peripheral assigned to the specified port if the protocol is known in a 4COM Interactive Site Communication session for say configuration or diagnostic purposes 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 42 4COM Site Management System Site Properties General Aux Devices Dial Parameters Additional Information Alarms SBC CardPlans Dial In Dial Out Modem Init String Dial Prefix Default Aux Device Terminal Logon STD Code Wait After Connect 50 Answer Every Day iv After 1 Rina s Re dial Delay 255 2 24hrs day Between Hours and Pulse Cancel Where a dedicated line is NOT available for dial in access from 4COM the PCC can be configured to answer incoming calls between user configurable hours In addition to this it can be configured to answer every day or alternatively only on a particular day of th
89. as been reset eg by alarm condition action process completed Dial out by alarm condition no longer being active contact switch restored to idle state 4 6 2 2 ATG Controller Auto Tank Gauge Controller Console Node used to decode the ATG console type No Probe Logical Gauge Robert Shaw Compac DipStick ENRAF Stic 867 Red Jacket ATG VR 50 300 350 R VR 250 EBW Auto Stic Tatsuno Micon 10 Postec TIM 11 US Test 12 MTS USTD Probe 13 LPG 4 20mA IF Description Online PCC detected communications with the ATG controller Offline PCC lost communications with the ATG controller Totals Roll End of day for ATG Reconciliation cycle 4 6 2 3 ATG DIM Auto Tank Gauge Dispenser Interface Module Used to send dispenser start and stop transactions data to a Tank Gauge console Event Description Online PCC detected communications with the ATG controller DIM Offline CC lost communications with the ATG controller DIM 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 115 4 6 2 4 Auto Vehicle ID Automatic Vehicle Identification AVI device Node number records the Pump number the AVI channel number is mapped to Event Description Online PCC established communications with the AVI controller Offline lost communications with the AV
90. as entered by the users and or forecourt attendants Uses of 4COM will usually be directed by Postec support development staff when if dispenser validation requiring suitable Vehicle entities is required to be modelled in 4COM Vehicle Propeties Registration No MR2453 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Working with 4COM 83 3 7 5 Legacy 4DET Applications In legacy 4DET applications the structure of the PCC transaction file system was inadequate to record the entire PAN recorded on some card tags gt 16 digits which is common with many oil company amp bank cards tags Instead a pointer to a CardPlan is used to derive a significant portion of the card tag s PAN digits while the less significant digits are recorded in the PCCs transaction file structure trn file This file structure enabled only the basic transaction information to be recorded Sale Value Sale Volume Grade etc Both Positive amp Negative authorisation could be applied and furthermore Software Grade restrictions and PIN validation could also be applied if not already encoded on the card tag however this transaction authorisation strategy did not allow for more complex secondary authorisations That is secondary validation such as driver ID are NOT possible using this strategy and assignment of optional Vehicle fleets should NOT be done to sites such as these Because of the use of a pointer to link the car
91. asured by monitoring the tank gauge levels and dispenser sales in real time The dispenser sales which occur while a delivery is in progress are added to the measured delivery to give the true amount dropped If several compartments of a tanker are dropped with an interval exceeding ten minutes the PCC may record each compartment as a separate delivery The following information is displayed for each delivery record Date Time Tank Grade Code normally measured if Automatic Tank Gauging is used Amount Delivered Volume in tank after the delivery The report can be requested for a specified date and time window A range of sites can be consolidated into a single report 4 11 7 Tank Reconciliation Report This report can be requested for a date window spanning any number of days for which data has been appended to the 4COM database from the 31 days data stored in the PCC The following fields are displayed e Opening Stock volume at the beginning of the day e Deliveries made into the tank during the day Dispenser Sales out of the tank during the day e Closing Book Theoretical figure for the end of the day Opening Stock Deliveries Dispenser Sales Closing DIP Actual ATG volume at the end of the day e Daily Loss Gain Volume in litres Closing DIP Closing Book and as a percentage of dispenser sales In addition the report displays the following cumulative data e Loss Gain Volume in l
92. atically activates calibration mode for that tank Note the activation of this calibration mode takes place after a 20 minute settling time from the detection of the end of the above delivery AND furthermore when no dispensers are in use If tanks are manifolded the volume for all the manifolded tanks must exceed their start calibration thresholds In Calibration 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 98 4COM Site Management System During the calibration process the PCC monitors the dispenser sales data to generate a tank level to volume conversion table or calibration profile If tanks are manifolded the volume dispensed is divided proportionally among the tanks as monitored by the change in tank volumes reported from the ATG or theoretical tank model While in the In Calibration state the PCC will use the volumes provided by the ATG controller or a theoretical model of the tank shape based on the product height in it s Wetstock control processes and reports Note if a delivery is made into the tank before the volume drops below the tank calibration deactivation threshold the PCC temporarily suspends the tank calibration Suspended Although the tank calibration process has been started it has not yet terminated and the volume has been determined to rise significantly into the region previously profiled i e a delivery has taken place During this time the PCC does NOT re profile those levels
93. ations Controller It is equally suited in local homebase applications where unattended site refueling control is required i e un maned Truck stops Marine sites Airfields etc Primary data analysis amp collection functions are provided through a comprehensive range of wet stock reports and the ability to configure the system to automatically poll the remote sites in the fuel distribution network through use of dial up sessions to retrieve the required data Put simply 4COM provides the complete solution that allows automated wet stock monitoring and control equally for both a local site or a network of remote sites 4COM provides the network management through the following wet stock control applications Site Totals Monitoring e Automatic Tank Gauging e Unattended Site Refueling Control e Centralised Dispenser Selling Price Control e Site Commissioning e Diagnostic Monitoring e SYSTEMS INTEGRATION INTERFACES A k 6 A Back Office PC 3 5 2 c w Building Services 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 6 4COM Site Management System 1 2 System requirements The following system hardware and software requirements apply Hardware Requirements Processor Pentium 200 min spec Memory 128Mb RAM 256Mb RAM recommended when running concurrently with other applications Hard Disk Space 4COM Application and Installed Database 15Mbytes exc
94. ay uc ULLAM LE goce 22222222222 off fuel transactions the MEER RR 2 duse Console provides the ability to classify each sale according to a method of 4 payment Payment Type Because this payment type information is also stored the PCC it needs to be interpreted correctly when the data is imported into the 4COM database 2 For this purpose 4COM pP i Delgi P provides the user with a Payment Types Summary Tools menu in which all currently defined payment types are summarised Any number of Payment Types may be defined created here although the PCC only supports nine It is important that the Payment Type setup here must match that defined at the site s and furthermore that like the grade setup these must be consistent across ALL sites in the fuel distribution network with which 4COM will communicate with The Payment Type Properties dialog provided when the users created or opens an existing payment type allows only the Name property to be defined Like grades Tanks amp Dispensers only the last logical payment type can be deleted and furthermore any new Payment Types created will be automatically indexed one greater than the last highest currently defined payment type in the 4COM database Again it is ONLY necessary to define a payment Type setup in applications where Forman 3 method of payments are used as a means to pay off sales on a retail forecourt
95. calibration threshold set then the volume height profile will be built right down to this 5 full position not the 2096 end threshold specified The start and end calibration threshold specified then represent the minimum start and maximum end calibration thresholds respectively over which the tank calibration profile will be generated It is important to remember that when assigning the dispenser hoses to tanks which are manifolded the hoses must be assigned to the manifolded master NOT the slave tanks Auto Calibration Process The PCC contains auto calibration functionality which allows it to build a Tank Volume Product Height profile over the extent of a tank diameter The status of the auto calibration process is indicated by a number of key states which are reported in the 4COM amp Forman 4 Tank Inventory reports and which can be manually determined amp managed using 4COM Pre Calibration After a Master Reset during the commissioning of the PCC all the tank calibration status s are automatically set to Pre calibration While in Pre Calibration the PCC uses the volumes provided by the ATG controller or a theoretical model of the tank shape based on the product height in it s Wetstock control processes and reports The is now monitoring the tank probe data waiting for the tank volume to exceed the start calibration threshold When a delivery is made which takes the volume above the start calibration threshold the PCC autom
96. cted grade and enter the new price in the Schedule Grade Price Change Properties dialog provided The Grade Price Change Properties dialog allows the new price of the corresponding grade to be specified and the date and time at which the new price will come into effect in addition to the operating schedule s to which the new price will apply Because the current operating schedule or indeed the operating schedule at the time you wish the grade price to take effect can NOT be determined using 4COM it is advisable to apply the grade price change to ALL operating schedules In addition to this check the confirm check box ONLY if ALL sites to which the Price Schedule will be sent have Forman4 POS consoles Failure to observe this may result in the price change not taking effect Note the Date Time at which the new grade price will take effect must be the current day any time or a future date and time Note Old grade prices that will have no effect if sent to site because the Scheduled Date Time has expired appear greyed out in the grid For grade price changes to take effect a Price schedule with appropriate grade prices and scheduled date times must be constructed In addition to this the Price Schedule must be assigned to the appropriate site s and finally a successful communications session sending the Price Schedule grade prices to these site s must be performed Failure to observe any of these steps will not result in the new grade price cha
97. ctor Like most of the functionality provided by 4COM only those imports applicable to the 4COM customer are displayed in the Manager Native PCC files To import native PCC files into the 4COM database select Native PCC Files from the Imports folder in the 4COM Manager The Native PCC File Import dialog provides the user with the necessary tools to import these file Native File Import Files 003011 TOT 000123 TOT m 000123 REC 003011 REC 000123 TNK 003011 TNK To import files simply use the browse button or right click the list of files to locate and select the 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Working with 4COM 71 3 5 2 required file s using the familiar Open File dialog provided Note the default folder displayed is that where the PCC Files are stored when they are retrieved from sites in the users My Documents My PCC Files folder however any folder can be nominated When the appropriate files have been sourced press the Go button The files in the list are systematically imported into the 4COM database Because of the nature of the 4COM database different files behave in a different manner when imported The data contained in the following historical site data files is appended to the data if it already exists in the database e Events Dispenser Totals Dispenser Electronic Totals e Tank Deliveries
98. d dollar volume amounts e Average sale amount over the period A grand total for the period sales volume frequency is displayed at the end of this report together with an average sale amount over all pumps and hoses This report can be utilised to analyse the performance of each hose on a forecourt 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 132 4COM Site Management System 4 11 4 Dispenser Electronic Totals Report This report displays the non resetable accumulating electronic totals for each pump and hose over the specified timeframe A new line is added for each transaction e Daily as determined by the sites Start of Day Time parameter e Onrequest from the POS Console and or remote Head Office software 4COM The following fields are displayed for each line of the report Date Time Pump Hose Non resetable dollar total to date at that point in time Non resetable volume total to date at that point in time Note these records closely mirror but are not identical to those of the electro mechanical totalisers located on the dispensers themselves Unlike their electro mechanical counterparts these totals are reset when the PCC has a master reset operation performed on it 4 11 5 Tank Inventory Report This report displays the current tank inventory data as at the time the tank data file was uploaded from the PCC including the following data e Tank Grade and Capacity displayed from
99. d per alarm Line Terminator CR LF Field Separator comma Field Definitions 1 Alarm number 2 ASCII character digits Range 1 99 Alarm code Group Definitions 01 16 Alarm board switch relay sensors 17 24 Date Time Alarms 25 99 Available for be definition e g Tank low limit Pump error s etc 2 Alarm Action 1 ASCII character digit Range 0 2 0 Alarm disabled 1 2 Log Alarm in Event file 2 Log Alarm in Event file amp dial remote site and report 3 Log Alarm in Event file amp dispatch tcp ip semaphore 3 Alarm State 1 ASCII character digit Range 0 4 0 Alarm Idle 1 Alarm Activated and Stacked for processing 2 Alarm logged in Event file 3 Alarm awaiting remote processing 4 Alarm processing complete waiting Reset 4 Reset Action 1 ASCII character digit Range 0 2 0 Reset on processing complete 1 Reset on trigger condition stop 2 Reset by service person 5 Dial Phone number Phone number to dial for processing including STD code e g 09 415 9196 6 Remote Processing Instruction List Instruction Sync Character 96 Instruction Header Character T 2 Transmit File R Request File M Message File A Timed alarm Trigger Date and Time D Delay before processing to allow alarm to stop without being processed if Reset Action field is set to 1 Reseton trigger condition stop Transmit File This tells the RCC to transmit the file name following to the remote computer Placing the
100. d tag responsible for the transaction to the card tag modelled in the 4OM database the number of CardPlans a single site could associate with was limited lt 99 In PCC applications where neither X Fuel No Console nor x Fuel Retail appears in the PCC aux device settings AND where a 4DET device IS configured the PCC uses this legacy transaction application recording dispenser transactions to a trn file Users only need request the Transactions from the site and 4COM will retrieve the appropriate file and process it importing the transactions and in doing so deriving the full PAN Transaction storage in the PCC was very limited Card Files crd are transmissted to site These files contain partial PAN data together with the associated CardPlan linkage pointer and also other validation data software PIN Grade restrictions and validation rules positive negative authorisation check ignore expiry date Site Properties General Aux Devices Dial Parameters Additional Information Alarms PEPs CardPlans Aux Ports Device Specific Device 1 amp ATG Controller VR 50 300 350 R 2 14 Host Computer 2 38400 Baud Host 3 4 12 Modem 3 Postec P144 P336 5 4 Postec 4DET 1 Postec generic 27 DataLogger 1 Version 1 7 20 Fuel Pump 1 Postec 451 8 18 Densitometer 1 LEMIS Baltic 3 10 POS Terminal 0 No POS 10 11 12 8 EPS CRIP 8 PEPs Post PCC Site parameters may differ from those displayed
101. d the alarm trigger condition stops before the trigger delay time the alarm is reset and no further processing takes place e g 1 D12 Gives the alarm condition 12 minutes to stop the trigger condition before any processing take place Several instructions can be included for 1 Alarm line record e g AMMDD1230SS T SITE EVT R SITE PAR MHappy Birthday 96 AMMDD1230SS Timed alarm trigger at 12 30 every day T SITE EVT Transmit the Event file with today s data R SITE EVT Request the Parameter file from the host MHappy Birthday Transmit a message file with the message Happy Birthday in it 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 112 4COM Site Management System 4 5 Importing Sample Data All the site data and sample sites used to generate the sample reports can be imported into the database by selecting File Load Sample Data from the main menu in the 4COM Manager to open the Sample Data Import Wizard dialog Using this information data the user is able to explore the functionality and how to access the features contained within the 4COM Manager Of course without a real PCC to interact with you will be unable to establish communications sessions with the fictitious sites Only sample data specific to the 4COM configuration features amp options are imported That is you need to first ensure your 4COM has been configured before attempting to import the sample data
102. e ignore expiry date etc are ignored Note in positive authorised system only authorised cards of the nominated CardPlan s are sent to the site In negative authorised system only the unauthorized cards are sent to the site Using this strategy any card of the correct CardPlan will work unless it is found in the card list Lastly the expiry date on the cards is able to be either validated or ignored Like the authorisation it applies to the entire CardPlan it is applied to To select this option right click the appropriate allocated CardPlan record and select the expiry date checking option required from the pop up menu provided Because the PEPs can also base its dispenser authorisation from cards lists provide by 4COM when the PEPs option is enabled in the previous Tab PEPs other validation functions are provided A detailed description of the various PCC PEPs configurations and their application within 4COM is described in the section Card Management 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 46 4COM Site Management System General Aux Devices Dial Parameters Additional Information Alarms SBC CardPlans Available Allocated Card Plans CardPlans Name Name Auth Exp Date AVIATION MINE DRIVERS Check BUS CO MARINE Move Up Move Down Vehicle Fleets Vehicle Fleets Name Name MINE VEHICLES Add 3 1 2 Tank properties
103. e to be created and used as described below Select the Archives node in the left hand tree view pane of the 4COM Manager Note only an appropriate name is necessary when creating an archive in the Archive Properties dialog Note also that when an archive is deleted the historical site data contained is that archive is deleted permanently That is it can NOT be resurrected Archive Properties 2004 Archiving be done either routinely by configuring the appropriate Auto Archive Parameters in the 4COM Options or Manually interactively by selecting File Archive from the 4COM Managers main menu The Archive dialog is presented in which the user can archive data either according to the Auto Archive settings or by selecting the historical Site data type s and by manually choosing a date from which all records preceding this date will be archived Data archived is removed from the regular site data file repository 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 124 4COM Site Management System Archive only this historical data Historical Data C Events Tank Delivery C Dispenser Totals 1 Dispenser Electronic Totals Tank Variance C Transactions Archive all historical data according to the Auto amp rchive settings Archive data older then 17 05 2002 w 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved
104. e transaction details Device Disabled Emergency Stop activated Device Reset Dispenser reset by PoS console deletes Sale and memory transaction buffers as well as resetting status and controls back to the idle state This can also be done from a Forecourt Authorization Terminal Prepay Error Dispenser rejects Prepay Authorization Reasons might include No Preset keyboard as required by Weights amp Measures Preset value not correct format eg Cents Too large Dispenser not in idle state eg some can t accept Preset auth if nozzle out Delivery Overfill Dispenser transaction amount overran Prepay Authorization Possible leaky solenoid valve or fault slow flow shut off valve Price Error Selling price error detected when dispenser authorized and nozzle lifted Could indicate selling price manually set at the dispenser attempt for fraud 4 6 2 10 Host Computer Event Description 119 4 6 2 11 LPG Transducers LPG Transducer Board 4 Channel 4 20mA ADC board monitors e Tank level e Tank Pressure e Pump Discharge Pressure e Temperature Node number identifies the tank number the board is mapped to Event Description Online PCC established communications with the LPG Transducer card Offline PCC lost communications with the internal LPG Transducer card 4 6 2 12 Modem Internal Modem P24
105. e week Also the number of rings it should answer after is able to be set here This property is especially useful when the PCC s modem shares a phone line with some other device person at the site Lastly a modem initialisation string can be specified to overcome communications difficulties encountered with the specific site from 4COM You will need to discuss an appropriate value for this field with Postec support personnel 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Working with 4COM 43 Site Properties General Aux Devices Dial Parameters Additional Information Alarms SBC CardPlans Notes Miscellaneous Details Pump maintenance tech replaced i comms interface card after water ingress on 16 2001 2 3 4 Information SAW Date 24 08 2007 S W Version 6 33 S W Info Global HAW Version 4 7 Note the fields on the Additional Information page are non critical and are provided as general purpose information fields In particular the Notes and Miscellaneous fields are NOT transmitted to the PCC when the sites configuration is sent to site The PCC information reflects the software installed on the PCC and is read only This is updated every time a Site is contacted using 4COM Lastly the Alarms page allows the user to configure the various alarm conditions responses for the site Alarm configuration records can either be entered di
106. ed by card when used at a single site In addition to this the transactions are further grouped and sub totaled by grade A new line is added for each transaction The following fields are displayed for each line of the report Date Time the transaction took place Transaction sequence Number Odometer reading optionally entered at the time of transaction authorisation Transaction code Pump and Hose used to procure fuel Grade Name Unit price Volume dispensed Dollar total of fuel dispensed Note This shows only the transactions for the nominated site The records are grouped and sub totaled by card then grade and displayed chronologically Where cards are used to conduct transactions at multiple site refer to the Card Transaction Report multi site 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 136 4COM Site Management System 4 11 12 Network Card Transactions Report This report displays the transactions grouped and sub totaled by card used across many sites A new line is added for each transaction The following fields are displayed for each line of the report Site name where the transaction took place Date Time the transaction took place Transaction sequence Number Odometer reading optionally entered at the time of transaction authorisation Transaction code Pump and Hose used to procure fuel Grade Name Unit price Volume dispensed Dollar total of fuel dispensed Note The records are
107. ed by the PCCs file system decreased In PCC applications where either X Fuel No Console or x Fuel Retail appears in the PCC aux device settings regardless of whether a 4DET device is configured or not even in POS applications the PCC uses this x fuel transaction application recording dispenser transactions to a etf file though in POS console applications x fuel Retail there is no PAN associated with each transaction Users though only need request the Transactions from the site and 4COM will retrieve the appropriate etf file and process it importing the transactions Card volumes are extended by virtue of a second overflow cr2 card file 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Working with 4COM 85 General Aux Devices Dial Parameters Additional Information Alarms PEPs Aux Ports Port Device Specific Device 1 amp ATG Controller VR 50 300 350 R 2 14 Host Computer 2 38400 Baud Host 3 4 12 Modem 3 Postec P144 P336 B 27 DataLogger 1 Version 1 7 20 Fuel Pump 1 Postec 45 8 18 Densitometer 1 LEMIS Baltic 3 10 POS Terminal 9 sFuel No Console 10 11 12 amp EPS CRIP 8 PEPs Postec PCC Site parameters may differ from those displayed Because the PCC records the entire PAN the CardPlanID field in the allocated CardPlans is required as it was in the legacy 4DET system Further more complex dispenser validations are able t
108. ed from Sites in the fuel distribution network This forms the basis of the data collection aspect of 4COM It is important to nominate the appropriate files from the Site Instruction Properties dialog in order to obtain the required information Instruction File Site Instruction Properties Receive File iv Tank Reconciliation Adding Post Instruction to the Process enables activities to be performed after the sites have been dialed and data retrieved Typically these are reporting type activities System Commands or Custom exports These can all be specified in the Post Instruction Properties Dialog provided 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Working with 4COM 67 3 3 3 3 3 4 Post Process Instruction Properties Instruction gt Report Tank Reconciliation System Command Report Options Destination Date Range Paginate by Site Painter Dan v 5 Emei C Exception Default Cumulative Variance Custom Comment Note when selecting Report and Export actions it is necessary to configure the parameters in the Options section of the dialog This ensures only the most relevant data is reported exported and or specifies how reports should be generated Note if specifying email as the destination for a report then it is essential the SMTP properties are
109. ed the UPIs for a site like all other PCC configuration properties the updated UPI configuration must be sent to the site before to apply these changes are applied This can only be done in an interactive Site communications session Processing Site 123 Fast Fuel Motors File Tank Calibration PCC Terminal Session Statistics Comms Device LAN a Connected at Duration 00 25 C Disconnect when finished Instructions 7 Admin login f Set UPI Configuration File gt Receive File gt Tank Calibration Transmit File gt PCC Terminal Session gt Delete File Other b Set PCC Clock U Add Vehide Set PEPs Clock Set Windows Clock Send UPI Configuration Get UPI Configuration 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 56 4COM Site Management System 3 16 Unit Properties The Units folder displays the complete list of units utilised Folder List DECIMALS by the PCC amp 4COM gh Network Unit Price gf 3011 Grant s GasnG Sale Value 2 Because of the architecture of Configuration Sale Volume 21 the data storage in the PCC PCC Total Sales Value the various data fields are Go Tanks Total Sales Volume E SET stored as Dispensers Tank Level in numbers interna y within the UPls PCC rather as integer n Tank Volume 214 numbers with the number of Temperature 1 decimal places implied It is pnm RES
110. enser Electronic Totals The report is available in either a detailed format where the totals are compared for each pump amp hose and an exception format where only those sites that exceed the user defined variance are shown The following fields are displayed for each line of the report Dispenser Hose Grade Start meter reading End meter reading Dispenser Total End meter reading start meter reading PCC total e Variance PCC total Dispenser total The report groups the dispenser hoses of a common grade together to give both grade and overall total variances for the selected period The report requires a timeframe start amp end unlike many historical reports such as dispenser transactions where the reporting period is optional 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 131 4 11 2 Grade Totals Report This report consolidates the data acquired by the PCC Site Totals Monitoring STM application Three reporting variations options are available daily hourly or by shift Note shift Grade Totals option is only available where a Forman 3 Console is used as the POS AND the appropriate PCC software has been installed A New Line of accumulated totals is reported for each grade under the following conditions e Daily At the start of every hour At the start of every shift depending on the report option selected e Onaunit Price Change The following fields are displa
111. ented 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 72 4COM Site Management System 3 5 3 That is the Cards and associated CardPlans will exist in the 4COM database providing the first two restrictions are met however it will be up to the user to allocate the CardPlans to the appropriate Site s in the Site Properties dialog if this has not already been done Note the authorisation type positive or Negative and the expiry date checking attributes which also need to be specified in the allocation of the CardPlans to Site s can be determined by using a text file editor such as Notepad to view the CSV card import file These details on these two allocation properties are also contained on each of the respective CardPlan header records in the file The following restrictions apply to the format of the CSV Card file to be imported Cards for more than one CardPlan can be imported in the same CSV import file A CardPlan header record describing the CardPlan must proceed the card list for the CardPlan The fields must be comma separated The CardPlan header record can have the fields in any order as the CardPlan header record also contains the field tokens The Card record must contain first the Card Number field followed by the PIN field if a Software PIN applies to the CardPlan then finally a comma separated list of grades that apply to a card if Grade Restrictions apply to the CardPlan
112. er card does not match the vehicle card The transactions can not proceed 4 6 2 5 Data File PCC s internal data files Description contains the file name where xxxxxx 6 digit site number Event Description Transmit PCC transmits file to the host computer Receive PCC receives file from the host computer Reset PCC file deleted by home computer 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 116 4COM Site Management System 4 6 2 6 DataLogger Postec Serial Data logger Description contains the Data logger software version Event Description Online PCC established communications with the Data logger Offline PCC lost communications with the Data logger 4 6 2 7 EPS CRIP Electronic Payment Server Card reader in Pump CRIP Controller Node used to decode the specific EPS device No CRIP Gilbarco GPC Hypercom NAC DCA POS F C Auth Dev Verifone 460 Advantage EPS Event Description Online PCC established communications with the EPS Offline PCC lost communications with the EPS EFT Cancel EFT Controller cancelled dispenser transaction 4 6 2 8 Auth Term Postec 4DET Forecourt Authorization Terminal Card reader in Pump CRIP Controller Node Terminal number dispenser number if dispenser mounted Node 99 All Forecourt Terminals Node 0 Central Receipt Prin
113. event Note the events fall into three categories e Information events e Warning events e Error events This report is also available as an exception report in which Information event types are omitted allowing the user to focus only on exceptions in the day to day use of 4COM 4 11 17 Historical Grade Prices Report This report displays the Historical Grade Prices of a site as set by the remote site management software 4COM A new line is added for each grade that is sent a price change The following fields are displayed for each line of the report e Grade e Grade name e Scheduled date Time for price change to take effect e The date Time the price change was sent to the site using the remote site management software 4COM New Price e The schedules the price change will apply to e Whether confirmation will be was sought by the POS console software 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 141 e The current status of the price Note the Historical Grade Price Report can only be determined if 4COM was used to initiate the scheduled grade price changes That is it does not know about any grade prices changes made by the POS console software Note also that the status of the price changes is dependent on the date time the report was generated 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved
114. exports are often utilised to export data from the 4COM database to intermediary export files produced for use by these enterprise management systems These exports can be developed by Postec or by the customer directly should they have the resources and expertise to do so Because each export is specific to the customer s system with which it is used each export usually has a unique user interface and functionality 4COM is flexible in that these custom exports can be integrated into the framework of a Process such that the 4COM data is seamlessly extracted after it is collected from sites for use in these systems Of course these custom exports are only made available to the customers to whom they were developed and are installed in the 4COM Licensing utility where appropriate Where Postec develop these custom exports according to specifications provided by the customer these exports are made available to run interactively by selecting opening the custom export from the Exports folder in the 4COM Manager In this manner the user is able to supply the parameters required and execute the export extracting the required data when required Alternatively the custom export can be selected from the list of available exports to be executed as a Post Processing Instruction in the context of a Process in the Post Process Instruction Properties dialog Usually various options parameters specific to the export have to be supplied at this time also In this
115. g 15 23 9604 7076010000042534 Normal Check Audit Trail for Processing Errors 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 28 4COM Site Management System Often data can be filtered VY such that only records that meet the users criteria are displayed The criteria able to be specified depends on the data type but most commonly a date range specification is possible To activate this feature right click anywhere in the grid of data and select Apply Filter from the pop up menu provided Alternatively press the Apply Filter button in the tool bar A third method to quickly locate record s of interest is also provided Right clicking anywhere in the grid and selecting Find amp amp o alternatively pressing Ctrl F will enable the user to enter field criteria The data records are then systematically searched and any matching records brought to the attention of the user The status bar provides a summary of the current state of the system Notification that errors exists but have NOT been acknowledged brought to the attention of the user is provided in the right hand most panel of the status bar To examine these audit trail exceptions simply double click the status bar to open the 4COM Audit Trail folder and view the offending Audit Trail error records The status of the Process Scheduler amp 4COM Process Processor is also provided in the status bar together wi
116. gering Low Low product alarm level detecting minimum tank level defined in the units of tank volume Unless Tank Gauge alarm monitoring is required this alarm should be set to 0 to prevent it from triggering Water High water alarm level defined in units of tank level Water Offset An offset that can be added in cases where the tank probe sits below the normal bottom of the tank in a small well designed to collect and trap water This too is defined in the units of tank level Theft Undefined sudden loss detection defined in the units of tank volume Unless Tank Gauge alarm monitoring is required this alarm should be set to the tanks full capacity to prevent it from triggering Leakage Long term loss detection defined in the units of tank volume Unless Tank Gauging alarm monitoring is required this alarm should be set to the tanks full capacity to prevent it from triggering Advanced Probe Properties The Advanced Settings button is used in conjunction with Tank Calibration to customise the range of probe heights the tank calibration Reading 24000 process will be conducted over It is normally not required and should only be used under direct Min Reading 0 instruction from Postec personnel as it is related directly to shortcomings of specific type s of Step 48 tank gauges Consult with Postec personnel for further clarification or before attempting to change The Delivery butto
117. grouped and subtotaled by Card and displayed chronologically 4 11 13 Site Events Report This report is an activity journal of forecourt related Events recorded by the PCC on a site from it communications with other devices The data and time are stamped against each event The Device identifies the equipment a site event relates to eg e Fuel Pump e Tank Gauge e POS Terminal The description identifies the event logged Event Descriptions include Device offline Device online device error Device answered a modem call Device placed a modem call ATG suspect tank leak sudden loss alarms ATG deliveries File transfers upload and download Dispenser price changes Sequence errors This report can be requested for a specified date and time window 4 11 14 Site Statistics Report Because the PCC as acentral controller is connected to an array of forecourt equipment it is able to monitor the performance of that equipment and count occurrences of abnormal events which may occur on sites This information can be used to detect problems before they manifest themselves in a way which might affect the operation of the site The statistics report displays the frequency of these events as counted by the PCC Each event has a warning limit and a failed limit which can be maintained by the statistics data File Maintenance option The logged count for the previous entire 24hour period is compared to the threshold limits quoted If the count
118. hanges to site properties in 4COM should be done with caution 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 40 4COM Site Management System Site Properties General Aux Devices Dial Parameters Additional Information Alarms SBC CardPlans Site No Time Zone GMT 12 00 amp uckland Wellington vl Name Fast Fuel Motors Password PASS Currently PASS Start of Day 00 00 IP Address 10 0 0 157 Address Details Addr 1 Unit F 8 Piermark Drive Dialing Details Modem Ph No Addr 2 Albany Device Any Available Modem Country New Zealand dw RAS Connection Details Contact Details UserName 6494159803 Password Phone No Hourly Log Options C Pump Totals Price Schedule Pump Comms Stats C Tank Data v The Site Properties dialog contains 7 pages tabs though the fifth page Alarms will not be visible if Alarm configuration has not been enabled in the 4COM licensing utility Also the PEPs and CardPlans tab will not be visible if Card Transaction Management has not been enabled in the 4COM Licensing utility The first page titled General consist of all the properties required to establish basic communications Site Number Password amp Modem Phone Number IP Address RAS username password as well as a number of general purpose information type properties such as the Address properties and Contact
119. he fields by repositioning dragging and dropping the column titles in the grid in the 4COM Manager 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 36 4COM Site Management System Available fields ATTENDANTNO CARDDATAI CARDDATA2 CARDDATA3 CARDDATA4 CARDDATAS CARDDATAB CARDDATA CARDDATAS CARDNUMBER CARDPLANID CARDPLANNUMBER CARDVEHICLEREG COMPARTMENTNO E 5 Show these fields in this order DATETIME REFERENCE PAN TRANSACTIONCODENAME GRADENAME UNITPRICE SALEVALUE SALEVOLUME 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Working with 4COM 38 4COM Site Management System 3 Working with 4COM The primary function of 4COM is that of forecourt data capture and analysis With regards to both of these facets 4COM provides the user with a number of tools to effectively perform these tasks Communications First and foremost are the methods by which forecourt communications can be established In local homebase applications where the forecourt is local to the 4COM PC where the wet stock analysis amp control will be performed two methods are provided e 5232 communications for communication with a single PCC up to 10m away e RS485 communications for communicating with a single PCC up to 1000m 1km away In applications where 4COM is used to communicate with a network of Sites two additional methods are av
120. here the PCC has not plotted volumes 60000 4 Fast Fuel Motors Tank 1 Super Raw Cal L 50000 40000 30000 V 20000 Volume litres 10000 2015 2112 2208 2304 2400 2496 2592 2688 2784 2880 2976 Level mm Level mm Processed Tank Calibration file The following graph shows a processed tank calibration file from the graph above The horizontal axis shows the tank level or height in millimetres The vertical axis shows the tank calibrated volume profile which has been extrapolated to the top and bottom of the tank and had it s gaps interpolated 80000 4 Fast Fuel Motors Tank 1 Super 70000 Td Cal Volume L 60000 50000 8 40000 5 gt 30000 20000 10000 0 t O OO t O ct CO O C cx p UO m m 5 S m x iid oN SAS ERS Be LO On P TEOPRAHANAASANNRNSG amp Level mm 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 102 4COM Site Management System Tank Calibration vs Theoretical Model The following graph shows a processed tank calibration file graphed with a theoretical model of the tank in proportion to the size of the tank The horizontal axis shows the tank level or height in millimetres The vertical axis show the tank calibrated volume profile and
121. hysical configuration Calibration Levels The two calibration levels are used for automated tank calibration and are relative values as a percentage of the tank s total capacity Start indicates the top most level as a percentage of the capacity which when reached will start the calibration process End indicates the bottom most as a percentage of the tank capacity which when reached will stop the calibration process 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 48 4COM Site Management System Gauge Type This property defines the type or brand of tank probes installed into the tank Note that this should be set to none when no tank gauge is used Densitometer Where a product density meter is interfaced to the PCC as defined in the PCC Aux device settings an expected reference density is able to be specified here strictly for comparison purposes in reporting The Alarm Levels group of properties is used to define the levels at which tank gauge event triggers are reached The Site Properties Dial out parameters are used for this alarm notification Use the Auto Calc button to set default alarm level values based on the current capacity of the tank as indicated in the dialog High High product alarm level detecting overfilling defined in the units of tank volume Unless Tank Gauge alarm monitoring is required this alarm should be set to the tanks full capacity to prevent it from trig
122. ign protocol or type Event Description Online PCC established communications with the Auto Price Sign Offline PCC lost communications with the Auto Price Sign 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 121 4 6 2 17 Printer Node Dispenser number Node 0 Central journal Event Description Online PCC established communications with the Printer Offline PCC lost communications with the Printer Device Enabled Printer reports ready to print Device Disabled Printer error condition reported Device Reset Print Spooler buffer reset PCC Master reset 4 6 2 18 Pump Controller Passive UPI monitoring a third party pump controller Node number Passive UPI channel number Event Description Online PCC detected communications from a third party pump controller Offline no communications monitored from third party controller after preset ime 4 6 2 19 STP Run Box PCC internal card for switching Submersible Turbine Pumps Event Description Online PCC established communications with the STP Run box Card Offline PCC lost communications with the STP Run Box Card 4 6 2 20 Tagging Visual Display Postec Tagging Visual Display TVD Node number records the TVD node address TVD numbers less than or equal to the number of dispensers configured for use on a site are dispenser
123. ing 4COM Options Personal Data Management Other Behaviour Apply Report Shading C Show Vertical Lines Band Plor C Show Horizontal Lines Interactive Site Communications Other C Auto disconnect when finished Confirm Delete Operations Verbose Logging C Mute Sound C Connect via Citrix Cancel The Data Management page allows the user to configure the Automatic Archiving options if desired amp auto purging of the Audit trail Auto Archiving can be used to manage the size of the database file and consequently the performance of system as a whole in respect to the historical site data that is collected by 4COM which over time accumulates By archiving this data the data is written to individual archive files and removed from the default data stores tables where it is stored normally This archived site data can still be accessed viewed using the 4COM Manager 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 34 4COM Site Management System though presently it can NOT be reported on Auto Archiving is performed on start up of the 4COM Manager and can be directed to the nominated Archive folder Unlike the data types which are managed by the Auto archiving functionality the audit trail s only value is to monitor the day to day operation of the network management For this reason it is deemed non worthy of archiving for historical reference However like the historic
124. ion network at the same time concurrently may seem like a time saving way to process sites in reality it has its drawbacks in that the greater the number of concurrent connections the slower the individual response as greater resources bandwidth processor power are required This property therefore allows the user to set an appropriate level depending on the resources available to the PC on which the 4COM Process is executing The Local Port property is necessary where 4COM is used to communicate locally with a PCC using RS232 RS422 communications It specifies the PC port that will be utilised for site communications sessions Note only sites with No IP address property AND no Modem Phone number property as defined in the Site Properties dialog will attempt to use the comport nominated here Importantly the Enable Process Scheduler control is used to start and stop the Process Scheduler 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Introducing 13 Service Although this Windows service can also be started and stoped using the Windows Service Control Manager in the Admin Tools group of controls from the Control Panel use of this control ensures the parent Postec Guardian service which monitors and restarts the Scheduler when if necessary is also operational The Verbose Logging control is a tool to facilitate detailed diagnostics of 4COM Process site processing activities amp com
125. ious dialog sent and received the Disconnect when finished control is unchecked then when the files nominated have been actioned the Site Processor remains connected to the PCC in the idle state The user is able to add other instructions i e nominate other files to send and receive etc in addition to the ones nominated in the previous dialog by simply selecting the appropriate instruction from the list provided when the grid displaying the instructions is right clicked Processing Site 123 Fast Fuel 5 File Tank Calibration PCC Terminal Session Statistics Comms Device Connected at Instructions Agere Systems AC 87 Modem 33600 Duration 01 27 C Disconnect when finished Cancel f Receive f Receive i Receive Tank Delivery Tank Reconciliation Tank Inventory mer File Tank Calibration PCC Terminal Session Transparent Comms Thru Aux Port Controller PCC Terminal Menu Datalogger Postec 4DET 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Working with 4COM 61 Of particular significance is the ability to obtain transparent communications through the PCC to the desired device connected to the PCC In this manner the device selected is able to be communicated with in a terminal window which is displayed when the user selects this option The user simply enters the appropriate comma
126. ites should be generated Note the email Process Summary notification requires the SMTP settings be set up appropriately in the 4COM Control Panel extension Also the Advanced Process Options dialog allows the user to configure whether upon completing a Process where Site s failed to have the necessary actions performed on them whether to automatically create a Copy of the Process with only the sites that failed Only an enabled process will activate at the appointed time from within the Process Scheduler The enabled property provides the facility to have defined a process but NOT have it activate automatically perhaps activated interactively on a less frequent basis An example of this may be a Process for the purpose of sending updated cards lists to sites which is generally very static data Adding Pre Process Instructions to the Process enables activities to be performed before any sites are contacted Typically these tasks are custom imports or the running of system command s These can both be specified in the Pre Instruction Properties Dialog provided 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 66 4COM Site Management System Instruction Details Pre Process Instruction Properties Import CSV Card Import System Command Import Options CardPlan File Name Adding Site Instructions to the Process enables Files to be sent and retriev
127. itres Closing DIP Closing Book e Sales from the dispenser e Loss Gain cumulative as a percentage of dispenser sales The report can be requested for a specific date and time window A range of sites can be selected for consolidating into a single report An exception report can be generated displaying the tanks with a reconciliation percentage for the entire period outside the requested threshold 4 11 8 Tank Variance Report This report is used to examine reconciliation variances and how they occurred e g gradual slow loss over an extended period of time versus a sudden loss which occurs briefly The report identifies the data and time of abnormal variances which can then be cross referenced with the site event s report 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 134 4COM Site Management System This report displays the following tank data for each variance record Date Time Tank Grade Idle Variance Operating Variance Gauged Volume Theoretical Volume Water Temperature The PCC normally logs variance records for each tank on a hourly basis however it logs additional records whenever a tank gauge application event occurs including e Delivery started Delivery completed High product low product high water Suspect leak Sudden Loss On request from local or remote management software The Theoretical Volume is a theoretical stock figure which is synchronised to the gauged
128. ive position of the decimal point remains the same ie If initially the units were incorrectly configures as follows Sale Value 1 dp Sale Volume 2 dp Unit Price 3 dp Then data may be displayed as follows Sale Value Sale Volume Unit Price 1234 5 123 45 1 000 note factor of 10 difference between Sale Value amp Sale Volume After changing the Sale Value to 2 dp as appropriate the same data would be displayed as follows Sale Value Sale Volume Unit Price 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Working with 4COM 1234 50 123 45 1 000 Subsequently imported data though would be displayed correctly Sale Value Sale Volume Unit Price 67 89 67 89 1 000 57 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 58 4COM Site Management System 3 2 3 2 1 Retrieving site data The data collection is one of the two fundamental functions of 4COM Although Interactive communications sessions can be established with sites in which data is sent and received to manage a large network of sites effectively requires an automated way of systematically performing the required actions on each of the sites Of course as discussed earlier 4COM provides the concept of the Process to effectively achieve this Unattended Multi Site Communications To run a Process in an automated manner at the appointed scheduled time the Process has only to have its Enabled pro
129. junction with the Country amp Modem Phone number fields in the Site Properties to ultimately derive the full remote phone number to be dialled from the PC on which 4COM is run Important It is essential the local are code specified here uses the same prefixing strategy as that specified for the site in the Site Properties dialog That is either leading zero can be specified in the area code on the context of national call OR alternatively it can be omitted in the context of international calls What is important is that if a leading zero is utilised then this must apply both here AND in the Site Properties dialog Area Code fields 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 4COM Site Management System 4COM Setup amp Configuration Database General Timeouts SMTP Settings Modem Dialing DB Restore Utils Country New Zealand iv Dial Prefix International Dial Prefix 00 Local Area Code 9 National Toll Prefix 0 Post Modem Connect Delay Modem Check Availability Delay Site Redial Stand down Time Note delays times are expressed in seconds DB Restore This tab allows users to restore the database to the last backup conducted should it be determined the current database file has become corrupted or unusable It should be used with caution and like all of the properties able to be configured in this Control Panel application i
130. l AVR284 Tank Reconcil Sale Diesel TvY570 Find Next Cancel E Tank Variance Sale Diesel AVG222 Transactions u1zu4zzuue 1 11 14 U amp u1UUUUUA1UU NormalSale Diesel AVR225 603483 Avis Budgett 01 04 2002 17 08 9613 7076010000142151 Normal Sale Diesel SUPSU1 613018 TOLL RAIL O 1 04 2002 17 06 9612 7076010000142151 Normal Sale Diesel SUPSUT ei 9 618798 TOLL 5 04 2002 17 02 9611 7076010000043383 Diesel PVR121 8 ga 787112 CENTRAL x Salu 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 30 4COM Site Management System 2 3 Filtering data To allow users to focus there efforts on only relevant records it is possible to apply a filter to the following folders to limit the number of record returned when the users explores a folder e Events 5 e Dispenser Totals wana n e Dispenser Electronic Totals Time Frame Other e Tank Deliveries e Tank Reconciliation From 16 11 1364 06 28 e Tank Variance is e Transactions e Audit Each of the above named folders allows the user to restrict the timeframe of records displayed In addition to this each of the folders allows other criteria specific to folder or data type to be utilised in the filter If more than one filter criteria is supplied by the user then only those record where all filter criteria specified are met are displayed That is the
131. l as to how you will transfer this file to us Because support usually centres around problematic behaviour of sites PCC s in the fuel distribution network and or of 4COM notification of this is often brought to the users attention in the 4COM audit log and is usually indicated by error or warning status record s Opening the selected problematic audit record provides the user with the ability to quickly email relevant files excluding the database file to Postec support staff to help diagnose and identify the problems Note to utilise this email support functionality it is necessary for the user be on line to the ISP mail server before hand and the SMTP settings in the 4COM Control Panel extension to be correctly configured Error 18 10 2004 11 51 19 LX Details Email details to support postec co nz Finally our web site is located at http www postec co nz 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Explaining the user interface 26 4COM Site Management System 2 Explaining the user interface The 4COM Managers primary function is to maintain the various 4COM objects necessary to establish site communications to enable data collection and to provide the user with interactive analytical capabilities reports whole 4COM user interface paradigm then is based around that of Windows Explorer This paradigm is both familiar and effective allowing the user to
132. locked which indicates the nominated grade is NOT able to be used in 4DET Authorised transactions Simply double click the selected record to toggle the value 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Working with 4COM 53 orecou a Entry Termina General Allocation Limits Operating Hours roperties Limit Blocked Limit Blocked Grade Prem 96 Unleaded 91 Diesel PCC 4DET parameters may differ from those displayed Operating Hours The Operating hours page allows restrictions to be placed on the use of the 4DET to authorise transaction for any given day of the week Opening any selected record provides the user with the 4DET Operating Schedule Dialog from which one of three options can be selected Never 24 Hours or During user nominated hours oreco ata Entry Termina General Allocation Limits Operating Hours Mode Start Time End Time 24 Hours 24 Hours Day Sunday Monday Wednesday 24 Thursday Ne Friday 24 Saturday 24 Hours of Operation From 4DET parameters may differ from those displayed Important Note roperties Dk Cancel In previous versions of 4COM the card allocation to the site was performed here This is no longer the case and the association of the cards to a site is now done in the Site Properties dialog 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved
133. ludes installation Customer specific data Firebird 35 Mbytes full Install Includes documentation Refer to database sizing for database growth expectations Display Type 800x600 1024x768 recommended Communications Modem driver s installed or a direct RS232 port or LAN ports 7022 TFTP amp 7023 telent Software Requirements DBMS Firebird or Interbase using the BDE to access database automatically installed with application Operating System Microsoft NT 2000 or XP 1 2 1 Database Sizing It is not possible to provide a general rule of thumb with regards to disk space requirements for 4COM applications as the nature of the database disk space utilisation is directly related to the nature of the activities 4COM is used to facilitate the number of sites in the network 4COM is used to communicate with and the nature of operation i e activities throughput etc of the sites in the network It is possible though to estimate the size and potential growth rate of a Database based on the following parameters which must be known or estimated e Activities Site Totals Monitoring and or Tank Gauging and or Card Transaction Processing Central Pricing e Number and nature i e number of tanks dispensers etc of Sites in the Network e Rate of critical forecourt activities deliveries transactions Database disk space requirements and future potential growth rates can be estimated using the following formula Size Estimate
134. lysis and control of remote forecourts in your fuel distribution network Automated data collection and reporting facility of local and remote sites enables up to the minute data to be presented in an informative manner freeing you to manage your core business objectives 4COM brings the forecourt to your desktop forecourt analysis to your finger tips all from the comfort of your office No need to unscrew filthy tank filler caps to dip tank volumes or wipe forecourt grime from dispensers to read pump totals just point and click its that simple Leverage the power of the Postec Communications Controller PCC Analyse the performance of an extensive array of forecourt devices Dispensers Tank Gauges Price Signs POS Car Washes Card Authorisation Terminals Remote diagnostics and pro active analysis of forecourt devices minimises downtime reducing costs A straight forward and easy to use interface 4COMs user interface quickly allows users to concentrate on the important things not how to access the functionality Even users with little or no fuel industry knowledge can be tasked with controlling managing their companies fuel usage 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Introducing 4COM 5 1 1 Overview The 4COM Site Management System is specifically designed to be used by petroleum distributors as a head office tool to control a network of remote sites which use the Postec Communic
135. munications spooling should operation prove to be problematic Various communications log files together with the transitory PCC files required generated by the 4COM site processing activities are stored in the folder specified by the Temp PCC Files location control Though this location can potentially be redirected to a network file share this is NOT recommended as when the user to which the file share is registered is NOT logged on into the OS and when 4COM is operational i e scheduled operations initiated by the Process Scheduler this folder file share will NOT be available and consequently these operations scheduled comms sesisons will fail Note the files retrieved from sites or generated in preparation to be transmitted to sites remain after the site communications session completes but are deleted directly prior to communications being initiated with a given site The 4MON Location control sets where the Postec 4MON application resides when communications diagnostics are required This will usually be under advisement by Postec personnel and is an advanced activity Normally a Process which is become unresponsive will attempt to resume should the Process Scheduler need to be restarted or indeed restarted by the parent Postec Guardian service which continually monitors and controls it If this is not possible then it may be restarted from the start regardless of how many sites were successfully processed depending on the Restar
136. n allows the user to fine tune many of the PCC delivery algorithm properties where correct measurement of tanker deliveries proves to be problematic Usually the default properties should suffice however these can be augmented under advisement by Postec support personnel if required Situation where delivery measurement can be problematic is where high flow pumps are used on site such at the time a delivery tanker drop is taking place the product level is still decreasing 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Working with 4COM 49 Advanced Delivery Measurement Properties Minimum Delivery Volume 1000 Delivery End Settling Time 20 minutes Variance Process Settling Time 10 minutes Delivery Start Detection Height Increase 20 mm Delivery Countinue Height Increase 3 mm 3 1 3 Dispenser properties To view a summary of the dispenser filling positions or hoses configured for a site locate the Dispenser Filling Positions folder within the Folder List 4COM Today zi gy Network 5 3011 Grants GasnG 3 Tank 2 Prem selected site The user is able Configuration 4 Tank 2 Prem to add delete open individual ge PCC Hose records and furthermore an Tanks the parent dispenser all Dispensers hoses of the selected hose record In particular only the last Hose highest logical dispenser amp hose number can be deleted as dispen
137. n the Process Wizard and the file s that will be sent received At this point you can add remove other files from the list Also you can add pre Instructions things that will be done before any of the sites are dialed or Post Instructions things that will be done after the sites have been dialed typically these will be reports Z Process Properties Dial Options a When Name Daily Transaction Uplaod vl Advanced Process Options Site Name 564694 Trevs TruckStop Auto Create Process of Failed Sites 564696 Tonys Truck On In Email Process Summary Notification 564698 Terrys Truck Haven bryan amp postec co nz 554700 Taylors Truck Stop n Chomp Receive Tank Reconciliation The Dial Options group of properties defines when the process will be activated and the default action should a Process fail to complete any site s in the list defined The Time Frequency and When properties define when the Process will be automatically activated bythe Process Scheduler service Three options are available for the Frequency Daily Weekly and Monthly Because of the limited nature of memory available for some data file types maintained in the PCC it is recommended the Daily option is specified Use the advanced button to configure whether email notification of a completed Process and the status successful or unsuccessful together with a list of unsuccessful s
138. nced in a named Process or sites that utilise a named CardPlan etc Site Filter Properties truck Address Contact Details Addr 1 Name Addr 2 Phone No Addr 3 Modem Ph No Existing Groupings Process Price Schedule 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Explaining the user interface 33 2 6 2 6 1 Customising 4COM Although the 4COM freshly installed from the installation CD will require customisation or configuration to meet the requirements of the fuel distribution network in which it will be used these configuration settings grades users payment types amp site statistics discussed earlier apply to all users of 4COM 4COM can be customised to a significant degree for individual users in so much as the way it looks behaves and functions Options The 4COM Options dialog which can be accessed from the 4COM Manager main menu by selecting Tools Options allows the user to configure various aspects of the 4COM Manager application The 4COM Options dialog is divided into three pages The first the General page allows the user to configure the visual amp audio aspects of the applications Both horizontal amp vertical grid lines can be enabled by checking either of these properties The confirm delete option should be disabled with caution Without a dialog prompting the user to confirm
139. nd empty or corrupt Statistics Thresholds Paument Types 18 10 2004 03 56 o File 000123 FIL not found or empty m 18 10 2004 09 56 i Site 123 Processing aborted T 18 10 2004 03 54 i Site 123 Receive Tank Inventory OK gt 1 Object s selected EXT The contents of the Audit folder displays all the events in chronological order of the activities that have occurred The various activities fall into three categories Information Significant and PCC interaction events of interest that take place Warning Undesirable outcome events NOT of a serious nature in the interaction of 4COM and the PCC Error Significant events that have occurred in the interaction of 4COM with PCC s where actions have failed Olt This source of information is vital when it comes to reviewing automated dial up sessions when for one reason or another site s nominated in the Process failed to have the required information transmitted or extracted When error messages are written to the audit trail the status bar in both the 4COM Manager will flash an alert message to notify the user of the existence of potential problems Simply double click the status bar to navigate automatically to the audit folder and view only the offending warning or error events that have not yet been acknowledged by the user To acknowledge an error simply right click the selected record and select Acknowledge from the pop up menu provided
140. nd for the selected device in the terminal window provided and the data is transmitted through the PCC to the device as though the PCC were not there Similarly any responses from the device are displayed in the terminal window as if the user was communicating directly with the device on his desktop The local echo control enable keys strokes entered into the terminal window to be displayed in the terminal window not just transmitted Of course the commands protocols available varies from one device type to the next and is beyond the scope of this document Please refer to the specific Postec installation and commissioning guide appropriate to the users installation network Processing Site 123 Fast Fuel Motors s File Tank Calibration PCC Terminal Session Statistics Comms Device Agere Systems AC 87 Modem Connected at 31200 Duration 00 39 C Disconnect when finished Local Echo p _ Instructions Terminal Entry INVENTORY REPORT ANK VOLUME VOLUME HEIGHT 1 35321 35250 1491 2 18037 18012 1730 3 21041 21021 1569 Similarly by selecting the Terminal Menu command from the pop up menu the user is given access to the Terminal Entry page in the Site Processor dialog whereby the PCC terminal menu driven options are offered Using this system the user is able to accomplish the tasks offered in the terminal menu including but not limited to reading tank levels monitoring pump amp 4DET communications
141. ndicate that the probe has become contaminated in the tank and must be cleaned The contamination error reported by the gauge indicates that it is unable to resolve the product air interface to the normal resolution This can result in erratic reconciliation variances and phantom delivery recordings by the PCC Other errors like bad connection and temp range indicate problems in the gauging system which should be referred back to the distributor for further diagnosis and action Tank alarms for high water high product low product suspect leak and theft are date time stamped in the Event Report Note After the Enraf Stic Tank Gauge controller has had a power failure all the alarms will be asserted on start up The various alarms should then reset over the next few minutes If everything settles down after the power is restored no further action needs to be taken 11 POS Console Offline The PCC is continually monitoring the POS terminal or console communications and counts the number of times a specific node goes offline from the PCC during the day This could indicate a hardware fault with the POS interface or possibly attempted fraud with the console operator unplugging or disabling the POS console device Examining the Site Events Report will show the date time of each occurrences of a POS console going offline 12 Pump Reset at POS The PCC counts the number of times a pump is reset from the POS console Resetting a pump is a POS con
142. ne x The PCC has not monitored any communications responses on the pump loop for more than the specified time interval or in answer to 10 pump consoles consecutive polls pump communications loop number 1 4 unmanned site usually uses loops 3 and 4 The Site Event Report should be examined to identify the date time and interval the controller was offline for Short intervals less than 1 minute can often be attributed to power transients The pump offline state usually indicates the offending pump is not able to sell fuel Call for service If the pump console is online and attempting to communicate with a pump which is not responding the Event Report will show Offline If the pump console is not attempting to communicate with a pump which therefore cannot respond the Event Report will show No Comms The Event Report will also show when the pump returns online Pump Bad Msg Counter x The PCC has counted more communications errors on the pump loops than the programmable limits e pump communications loop number 1 4 unmanned site usually uses loops 3 and 4 This event alone does not necessarily cause any system problems but if pump sequence or pump offline errors are also occurring indicates that the site communications are bad Check the Events File for other events Call service to investigate and rectify the communications problems Pump Sequence Errors x The PCC is continually monitoring the pumps acti
143. nge s taking effect 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 90 4COM Site Management System 3 9 Audit Log The 4COM audit trail is a very powerful tool that enables 4COM users to look back over past activities in 4COM to determine what has happened While many activities are undertaken by the user within the 4COM Manager or when the Process Scheduler is running various messages are written to the audit trail logging what happens To view the audit trail from either the 4COM Manager select the Audit Folder T 4COM Remote Site Management System COMPAQLAPTOP1 C Program Files Postec 4COM Database My 4COM gdb BAX File Edit View Reports Tools Help Address e Processes Daily ATG STM Upload vi AFYA ue Folder List DATETIME ERRORLE DETAILS 4COM Archives 18 10 2004 03 58 i Site 123 Terminal Menu OK 722 4COM Today 18 10 2004 03 58 Site 123 PCC DateTime out of tolerance 18 10 2004 03 00 gly Network 18 10 2004 09 58 3 Site 123 Totals rolled Operations 18 10 2004 09 58 4 Site 123 PCC device selected CardPlans 18 10 2004 09 58 i Site 123 Remote 33600 baud connection established Price Schedules 18 10 2004 09 58 i 123 Dialing 831 Units 18 10 2004 09 56 i 3records processed from file 000123 TINK v 1 18 10 2004 09 56 processed from file 000123 REC 38 Users 18 10 2004 09 56 File 000123 REC not fou
144. nk Variance Transactions E Events Dispenser Totals Dispenser Electronic Totals e Tank Deliveries Tank Reconciliation FE Tank Variance Transactions In archiving this historical data the data is written to individual archive files and removed from the default data stores tables where it is stored normally This enables database size to be managed optimising 4COM system performance Note that archived site data can still be accessed viewed using the 4COM Manager though presently it can NOT be reported on The site data that this related to is e Events Dispenser Totals Dispenser Electronic Totals e Tank Deliveries e Tank Reconciliation e Tank Variance e Transactions other data collected using 4COM i e Tank Inventory data overwrites existing data for the site if it exists each time is retrieved form site Before historical site data can be archived an archive must first be created Importantly however 4COM archives utilise a unique aspect of the Firebird DBMS which makes this possible external files That is 4COM uses external files feature of the database to store data which is presented to the user as 4COM archive s By default this aspect of the DBMS functionality is turned OFF or dissabled when installed and needs to be turned on or enabled To enable this feature refer to the section on installing the Firebird DBMS Once enabled on the 5 server 4COM archives will be abl
145. nto Receive Tank Delivery Receive Tank Reconciliation Site Processing For each Site to be dialed the familiar Site Processor dialog from the Interactive Site Communications session is displayed Any files to be sent are first generated The site is dialed next in the case of remote sites then when a modem connection has been established the PCC device is selected there may be a delay between when the connection is established and the PCC device selection as defined in the Comms Set up properties After access has been granted by the PCC to the remote 4COM PC the Totals are rolled the Date time read then each of the Site instructions listed executed in turn During the site communications session the status of the site instructions being executed is continually updated In addition to this the progress of any current file transfer is displayed in the status bar together with a verbal description of the action being currently undertaken At the completion of the site communications session the phone line is disconnected the files retrieved from site are processed then the Site Processor Dialog closes only to open again in preparation for the next site in the list of the parent Process After each site in the list is completed note if a site fails it will be retried the number of times nominated in the 4COM Control Panel extension the status of that site is updated Note if a Site Processor is cancelled by the user then the site is
146. ny deferred Processes are listed in the control provided A remove button allows the user to remove them from the queued list should this be necessary 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Introducing 4COM 15 SMTP Settings This page allows the user to define the SMTP parameters required to email reports from within the context of a Process and or notify the user of the success failure of the Process at its conclusion Note these parameters must be correctly defined if Processes are to be executed where emailed reports are defined as Post Instructions or this emailing capability is required Failure to correctly define the parameters will result in no reports being generated It may be necessary to consult your IT administrator to determine the meaning and values for these parameters if you are at all unsure Use the Test button to verify the settings entered If correct the email address nominated will receive a short email verifying the settings are correct If no such email is received you should consult you IT department 4COM Setup amp Configuration Database General Timeouts SMTP Settings Modem Dialing DB Restore Utils Host postec svril Port 25 Email Address 4COM C Simple Login Authentication User ID Password Modem Dialing This page allows other aspects of the site communications to be specified for the PC These properties are used in con
147. o be done using secondary PAN driver ID data sources or alphanumeric vehicle registrations data entry or the like i e plant equipment hence in the site also facilitates allocation of vehicle fleet objects and subsequent vehicle registrations to the site General Aux Devices Available Allocated Card Plans CardPlans Name Name Auth Exp Date PAN ONLY AVIATION Check PAN amp VR MINE TAGS Check PAN amp VR amp GR PAN amp VR amp GR amp amp GR amp SP Move Up Move Down lt Remove Vehicle Fleets Vehicle Fleets Name Name BUSSES Add TRUCKS lt Remove Site parameters may differ from those displayed 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 86 4COM Site Management System 3 77 PEPs Applications Postec EPS PEPs hardware can also be used to facilitate dispenser authorisation either though a gateway or internally Site Properties General Aux Devices Dial Parameters Additional Information Alarms PEPs CardPlans Aux Ports Port Device Specific Device 1 amp ATG Controller amp VR 50 300 350 R 2 14 Host Computer 2 38400 Baud Host 3 4 12 Modem 3 Postec P144 P336 5 B 27 DataLogger 1 Version 1 20 Fuel Pump 1 Postec 451 8 18 Densitometer 1 LEMIS Baltic 3 10 POS Terminal 9 Fuel No Console 10 11 12 8 EPS CRIP 8 PEPs Postec s
148. o has benefited from this technology Infrastructures the world over have rapidly evolved as both local amp global transportation networks have first stretched then developed in an attempt to try and meet the demands placed on them Technology too has found its way onto the forecourt Forecourt automation is not just a buzzword but an essential tool to not only ease or simplify the maintenance and running of a forecourt but also to deliver the services society now demands Furthermore as everyone fights to gain a larger slice of the pie it ensures this aspect is run in an efficient measured controlled and cost effective manner Whether transportation is a core business activity of a company or not it often represents a significant financial aspect in terms of capital investment and the costs associated with it As profit margins are squeezed in a desire to compete and as businesses fight to maintain customer loyalty it is essential that players have the information they require to make decisive informed business decisions that best maximise opportunities As we ride this knowledge wave into the future this key information and the tools we use to access it play an ever increasingly important role in more of our lives 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Introducing 4COM 4COM Site Management System 1 Introducing 4COM 4COM is a multi user client server tool that simplifies the ana
149. o send must have the appropriate set up done That is if you elect to send a card file then you must have created a CardPlan created cards for this CardPlan and nominated the CardPlan in the 4DET properties dialog for this to succeed If you wish to send scheduled grade price changes then you must have created a price schedule and nominated that price schedule for the appropriate site in the Site Properties dialog Note only the files types appropriate to the installed features and options are displayed in this dialog 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 60 4COM Site Management System File Tank Calibration PCC Terminal Session Statistics Comms Device Agere Systems 97 Modem Connected 33600 Duration 00 10 C Disconnect when finished Instructions Processing Site 123 Fast Fuel 5 f Receive Receive Receive Tank Delivery Tank Reconciliation Tank Inventory Receiving File 000123 REC As each of the files are sent received their progress is updated in the Site Processor Dialog After all files have been sent received the remote PCC device is de selected and the line disconnected if the Disconnect when finished control is checked Any data retrieved is then converted and the dialog closed The data is then able to be viewed reported on in the usual manner If while the site is being dialled or the files specified in the prev
150. ocating data Find Most of the folders in 4COM contain limited or very small numbers of records The following folders in 4COM though may contain very large numbers of records e Network Cards e Events Dispenser Totals Dispenser Electronic Totals e Tank Deliveries e Tank Reconciliation e Tank Variance e Transactions e Audit To allow users to quickly locate record s of interest from all those listed 4COM provides the ability to Find records where the nominated field matches the users search criteria Note only the fields columns configured in the view properties are able to be searched To provide the maximum flexibility the search performed is NOT a literal search That is if the text specified is found anywhere in the field the entire record is highlighted and brought to the users attention The search is iterative in that every record in the dataset is examined and therefore possibly time consuming To limit the number of records interrogated it is possible to limit the number of records in the dataset by applying a filter 4COM Remote Site Management Svetem CAMDANI ADTOD4 C Drneram Filac Doctec ACOM Databas BAX Fie Edit View Reports Tools Help Address Field to search Origin ly ATG STM Upload D gt x o d 5 VEHICLEREGISTRATION iv Text to find Direction Folder List u 25 ACT GRADENAME VEHICLEREG 3 Tank Deliverie Sale Diese
151. odes are predefined values that decode into specific descriptors This enables a lot of information to be recorded in the PCC using a minimum amount memory and also provides a structure for applying complex filters in the viewing software The Node number identifies a specific device where multiple devices of the same type are used eg Dispenser number The Description block contains optional miscellaneous data that must be decoded with unique rules determined by the Device and Event codes for that record When the PCC restarts it establishes communications with all the devices it is connected to and as a result of this Online Event records are recorded for each device After this the PCC records event records for activities and events it schedules or observes For convenience the document is structured into Device blocks in alphabetic order Each device block contains a description of the possible events which apply to that specific device 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 114 4COM Site Management System 4 6 2 1 Alarm PCC Alarm application including e Contact switch input alarms Alarm 1 16 e Date and Time triggered alarms 17 24 e PCC Software Logical Alarms 30 99 eg Device offline Tank low etc For more information refer to PCC Alarm Application document Event Description Triggered Alarm condition has triggered the alarm Device Reset Alarm condition h
152. or automated unattended operation as a Post Processing instruction Instruction Q Report Site Statistics S Export Generic Export System Command Export Options Date Range Format ml rra Toe C Exclude Today s Data OTe Destination Email Subject here are the vehicle fuel usage transactions you requested O Local File Recipient s bob wherever com bryan postec co nz Transaction Selection 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Working with 4COM 79 3 7 Card Management The purpose of the card management functionality is to allow dispensers to be Folder List 4COM Today authorised by presentation of 88 308 Network card at the 4 unit Operations vehicle Identification B4 L equipment and its primary E Postec 1 application is for unattended or after hours site refueling where there is no forecourt attendant to take the customers money and authorise the dispenser from a console or there simply is no forecourt console The basic premise of a card authorised transaction is that by presentation of a card to the 4DET device the PCC is able to authorise the dispenser if the card presented meets all the authorising criteria and when the transaction has been completed the transaction details amount date time etc are saved in a file in
153. ould suffice but can be changed when advised by Postec support personnel where network or communications issues prevent continued operation as expected The Protocol settings enable various aspects of the protocol which are able to be configured in situations where users experience difficulties with site communications Normally the default values will suffice however extending the packet response time and retry threshold can often be the deciding factors in situations where poor line quality or lengthy transmissions delays are encountered The retry threshold property does NOT apply to interactive site communications sessions Thatis if this threshold is reached or exceeded 4COM continues to keep a connection with the PCC in interactive site communications sessions until the user requests a disconnection hang up Only within the context of the Process Scheduler service will the connection be dropped if this limit is exceeded so that excessive time is not spent trying to communicate with sites where line conditions are marginal Sometime due to processing difficulties or bad management an active 4COM Process may over run into the time scheduled for another scheduled 4COM Process Because only a single 4ACOM Process may run on a single PC at one time the offending Process is allowed to complete and the scheduled Process s operation deferred put into a queue Theoretically this behaviour could have a flow on effect in a large complex network and a
154. perties UPI Dispenser Type PEC l v Logical Start Dispenser 1 Logical Stop Dispenser t 16 Internal Dispenser 1 Cancel Example 1 Two UPIs be mapped to the same range of dispenser A site with 12 dispensers Dispensers 1 3 5 are Gilbarco e Dispensers 2 4 6 7 12 are Email UPI Dispensertype Logical start Logical stop Internal dispenser dispenser dispenser number 2 Gilbarco 1 16 1 2 3 Email 1 16 1 Example 2 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Working with 4COM 55 The dispenser can be re mapped so that its logical dispenser number is different from its physical Internal dispenser number This allows the physical dispenser number programmed into a dispenser to be re mapped to a logical pump number which the site uses to identify a dispenser This is particularly useful for sites with more than one dispenser loop and less than 16 dispensers on each loop A site with 24 dispensers Dispensers 1 12 are Gilbarco Dispensers number 1 12 Dispensers 13 24 are Gilbarco Dispensers number 1 12 UPI Dispensertype Logical start Logical stop Internal dispenser dispenser dispenser number 2 Gilbarco 1 12 1 2 2 Gilbarco 13 24 1 The dispenser range should only be limited when a second UPI serves a bank of dispensers which are the same type as in example 2 Having configur
155. perties are NOT able to be sent to the PCC from 4COM however they are used in interpreting data retrieved from the PCC Lastly two other 4COM entities global to all sites in the network should be set up at this time namely statistics thresholds and payment types Note statistics thresholds need only be configured if pro active site monitoring diagnostics activities are to be carried out using 4COM retrieval of site statistics files from PCCs Similarly the payment types need only be configured in systems where Site Totals monitoring activities are performed in conjunction with PCC s which utilise the Forman 3 Console POS Incorrect specification of grades statistics thresholds and payment types will NOT adversely affect the data retrieved up to the point where these settings may be later corrected or refined 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 20 4COM Site Management System 1 6 1 Grade set up grades summary Tools Default Grade Summary menu displays the complete Name list of grades configured in 1 Premium 0 0 4COM intents 0 06 Because of the architecture of el 0 00 the data storage in the PCC RIS 4Keroine sss 000 grades are reference by their 5 LPG r grade number within the PCC 6 Oil 1 It is important to understand 7 Jet Al that 4COM uses the grade set 8 up here to interpret data retrieved from sites 9 Grade 9 4 10 Grade 1
156. perty checked and the Process Scheduler service of course must be started Note the Process Scheduler icon locate in the task tray will blink intermittently every five seconds displaying changing to a heart to indicate that the Process Scheduler is running Using the Service Control Manager dialog available from the Administrative tools in the Windows Control Panel the user is able to start amp stop the Process Scheduler and furthermore configure it to automatically start when the PC boots up Being a Windows Service that runs under Local System it is not necessary for a user to be logged into the operating system for Scheduled Processes to execute at their appointed time s Note administrative privileges are required to change these or other Windows Control Panel settings C Services BAX File Action View gt Services Local By Services Local ProcessScheduler Name Description Status Startup Type Log On As i Sa Network Provisionin Manages X Manual Local System Stop the service Si Norton AntiVirus Client Started Automatic Local System Restart the service RANT LM Security Sup Provides s Manual Local System Si Office Source Engine Saves inst Manual Local System Description By Performance Logs Collects Manual Network S 4COM Process Scheduler ser VICO Enables Started Automatic Local System Actions Processe
157. que 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Introducing 21 1 6 2 User security 4COM is a true multi user application which supports multiple concurrent logon s The Users folder lists the currently defined users Folder List 4 Today gly Network H Operations amp 7 CardPlans Price Schedules 3 Alarm Templates Units Grades Note the User Properties dialog that is used to create and update 4COM users behaves differently depending on which user logs into the 4COM Manager If the Administrator user was used to log into the 4COM Manager then the Add and Delete actions are available in which new users can be defined or existing users removed In addition to this the Administrator user can open any existing Bryan Cameron Diaz user and change their password and functionality privileges in the User Properties dialog provided though it is NOT possible to restrict the functionality of the Administrator user that is the Administrator user can do everything In addition to this an Administrator Alias must be specified in the User Properties Dialog for the Administrator This is used to identify specifically who connects to site s when site communications are conducted under the guise of the Administrator user This alias property in the User Properties dialog is NOT applicable and therefore not available to other users
158. quickly locate existing 4COM objects records of interest so that they may be manipulated or indeed create new objects as necessary It is important to understand that although the user can both define and execute Processes from within the 4COM Manager the Processes do not automatically activate at the specified time from within the 4COM Manager the Process Scheduler service must be started from the Windows Service Manager dialog Administrative tools from the Windows Control Panel to get unattended scheduled activation of Processes defined using the 4COM Manager The Process Scheduler in turn has no user interface and relies on the 4COM Manager to instantiate and manage the appropriate 4COM objects which allow it to perform the required site communications data collections and analysis functions The Process Scheduler simply is a scheduling tool as its name implies for activating the appropriate Process at the appropriate time In a perfect world then it could be possible to set up the appropriate 4COM objects to establish communications with site s using the 4COM Manager just once then after this time use only the Process Scheduler to effect the Site communications for extracting data and reporting However forecourts are less than perfect in fact dynamic by their very nature and you the user will often find yourself using the 4COM Manager to decipher forecourt activity amp events and performing ad hoc reporting 1987 2009 Po
159. ractive Single Site Dial up session before completing all the steps in the complete tank calibration process then any tank calibration file s you may have retrieved and even processed will be deleted the next time you attempt to connect to the site It is therefore essential to retrieve process AND furthermore send the tank calibration profile s if required in a single Interactive Single Site Dial up session Although 4COM does create a backup file of the original tank calibration profile retrieved same filename with a old extension in the users My Documents My PCC Files folder when processing a tank calibration file for future reference should it be required it should be noted that this file too will be deleted prior to connecting to a site This rather undesirable behaviour will be addressed in a future 4COM update To process a previously retrieved tank calibration profile while connected to the site in an Interactive Single Site Dial up right click the grid of Instructions and select Process Tank Calibration File from the pop up menu provided Select the required tank calibration file for the site using the Open dialog provided then press the OK button to process the file The selected file is then subsequently processed the user is notified of any errors A CSV profile of the calibration profile is created in the users My Documents folder xxxxxx y csv where x is the site number an y refers to the tank number and the
160. ration In smaller organisations though where there is no requirement to share the data with other users note reports can still be accessed if emailed to other users from within 4COM or exported then it may be more suitable and less costly to install the 4COM application and database server onto a single PC Single User Architecture Firebird Server Software 4Com Database 4Com Application Software Note it is possible to turn a single user configuration into a multi user configuration by simply installing the Firebird client software and 4COM application software onto the other client PC s where it is desired 4COM run from then pointing each of the 4COM clients to the original 4COM server where the Firebird sever and database resides Install Firebird Server Components The Firebird DBMS server software needs to be installed on the same machine amp drive where it is desired the database file will reside 4COM fdb This is because the Firebird DBMS service needs complete domain authority privilege over the database file in order to co ordinate file I O operations as a result of possibly multiple concurrent database client requests transactions Installing the database file onto a different machine to the DBMS even different drive for example a network file share could potentially inhibit the file access control when this resource database file location drive is not available recall network file
161. rectly into the memo control provided or inherited imported from pre configured Templates created using the Template Manager Refer to the section Alarm Records in the Appendix for a detailed discussion of appropriate entries for the alarm Set up details control here 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 44 4COM Site Management System Site Properties General Aux Devices Dial Parameters Additional Information Alarms SBC CardPlans Alarm Set Up Details DO QW ERTY 1 0 0 1 09 4158803 8 001 05 paper out 2 0 0 1 09 4158803 z M ABCH OO27 D 5 tamper 3 0 0 1 09 4158803 M ABC H O03 D3 comms fail 4 0 0 1 09 4158803 M ABC 004 D3 out of order 5 2 0 1 09 4158803 M ABC O05 tech on site 6 2 0 1 09 4158803 M ABC HI OO6 Emergency Stop 20 2 0 1 09 4158803 224 0033055 M ABCHIOBS daily test 31 2 0 0 09 4158803 M ABC O75 rec offline 35 0 0 0 09 4158803 4M ABC H O76 as offline 40 2 0 0 09 4158803 M ABC H O7 pump offline 50 2 0 0 09 4158803 M ABC O78 atg offline 51 2 0 0 09 4158803 073 low produc The second to last tab titled SBC will only be enabled if the card transaction management feature was installed in the 4COM Licensing utility AND a Postec EPS PEPs Aux device is configured in the Aux device tab It allows the user to set the source and destination file locations in the SBC companion system and also to provide
162. rights reserved 128 4 Site Management System Current Version Update Version v Backup data proceeding Tag Type update Transacti Update Systeml datal DATABA Congratulations You have successfully updated your 4COM database You are now free to quit this application and restart 4COM IMPORTANT The Firebird backup may take a significant amount of time to complete this may take hours depending on the size and fragmentation of the source database and can be extremely resource intensive BE PATIENT AND ALLOW THE BACKUP TO COMPLETE SO THAT THE UPDATE OF THE DATABASE CAN COMENCE If necessary run the update at the end of the day when users will not require access to the PC on which it is run Once the backup phase is complete the support file s are processed and the database update operation performed on the 4COM database to make it compatible with the current suite of 4COM application amp dll files 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 129 4 10 4COM Site Data Entities ANIANILL 1VO 14 1VO 4 1VO 4 1vO14 1vO14 Gi HVHOSNVA ANIANIL ANIANIL 33931NI H3931NI 3ONVINVA 29d 1014 csz HvHONVA 1vO14 1vO14 1vO14 1vO14 z HvVHO 1vO14 ssz HvHONVA ANIANLL ANIANIL ANIANIL ANIANIL ANIANIL 1079 1014 101
163. rly where new functionality has been incorporated it is often necessary to upgrade the 4COM Database file to reflect the new functionality in the application executable s amp dlls The DBUpdate utility enables the user to perform this upgrade Any time the 4COM Manger is run a check is first made verifying the compatibility between the database and the suite of 4COM application amp dlls files installed If the application and dll files is found to be incompatible with the current version of the database the 4COM Manger will NOT be started and the user is advised to run the DBUpdate utility wizard to update the 4COM database Upon successful completion of the database update the 4COM Manager can be run as normal Database Update Wizard The DBUpdate Utility provided is a simple wizard which guides the user through the steps required to update the 4COM database and make it compatible with the installed 4COM application and dll suite of files On the second page after the user presses the Next button on the Welcome page the current database version is sourced together with the final version available in the support file s The user is advised if the upgrade is necessary and indeed able to proceed and invited to press the Next key to perform the actual upgrade The database is first backed up Note this is in case the update fails for any reason and will enable the original database to be restored 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all
164. rmining whether early intervention may be required when Controller 1 Offline 2 problems are first identified Controller 2 Offline 3 4 Controller 3 Offline 2 For this the PCC is equipped Controller 4 Offline 1 with the ability to monitor 4 number of key event Pump Offine Loop 1 20 b categories and log on a daily Pump Offline Loop 2 20 basis the number of times ow m each event takes place The d a Pts Statistics Threshold Tools menu summarises these key events and allows the user to set both warning and failed thresholds for each of these key events using the Statistics Properties dialog Because the PCC only monitors and records information on a predefined and fixed number of key events the Add and Delete actions are not available here By defining warning and failed limits for the various key statistics events a Site Statistic Exception report can be generated from within 4COM showing only those events where the measured count exceeds the user define limits imposed The ability to update Statistic Thresholds is reserved for the 4COM administrator user only Statistic Properties Name Warning Limit 20 Failed Limit 40 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Introducing 23 1 6 4 Paymenttypes In applications where Payment Types Summary Forman 3 Consoles are Payment Type Name 4 utilised forecourts to p
165. s are summed amp also tank information snapshot and statistics summed Finally the Time zone field allows the user to choose the remote time zone in which the site is located This allows 4COM to read and set the remote PCC clock accurately taking into account differing time zones relative the time zone in which 4COM is situated The country field in turn is used to derive the complete Modem Phone number to be dialled That is if the 4COM home country as defined in the 4COM Control Panel extension application is found to be different to that of the site to be dialled the international country code to be prefixed to the remote Modem phone 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Working with 4COM 41 number is determined from this property The Hourly Log Options group of properties define whether the three data entities maintained by the PCC will be summed on an hourly basis Otherwise this is done on a daily basis at the sites configured start of day time The Price Schedule property provides the link between a site and a price schedule which may contain new grade prices Note this Price Schedule control will only be visible if the Remote Grade Pricing feature was installed in the 4COM Licensing utility Site Properties General Sux Devices Dial Parameters Additional Information Alarms SBC CardPlans Aux Ports Device Specific Device 1 amp ATG Controller VR 50 300 350 R 2 14 Ho
166. s created using the 4COM Manager at their configured time Sa Portable Media Seri Retrieves Manual Local System Sa Print Spooler Loads files Started Automatic Local System Sy ProcessGuardian Automatic Local System isProcessScheduler 4COMP Sis Protected Storage Started Automatic Local System 005 RSVP Provides n Manual Local System Remote Access Aut Creates a Manual Local System Remote Access Con Createsa Started Manual Local System Remote Desktop He Manages 4 Manual Local System Remote Procedure Provides th Started Automatic Network S Remote Procedure Manages t Manual Network 5 Remote Registry Enables re Started Automatic Local Service Removable Storage Manual Local System and Remat Offers rout Dicabled Local Svetem M b Extended Standard Note the Process Scheduler service is accompanied by a Guardian service ProcessGuardian which stops and restarts the Process Scheduler resuming if necessary any current Process that may have stalled should the Postec Guardian service not receive the periodic heartbeat messages from the Process Scheduler service indicating it is alive and well 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Working with 4COM 59 When a Process is initiated in a scheduled manner at the appointed date time then the dialogs used to display the state of the Process throughout its lifecycle when initia
167. s document to my wife daughter and 2 cats for being so understanding to Richard Chapman for being so patient to the guy who refills the Coke vending machine in our lunch room sorry don t remember your name at the moment but you did a great job keeping it full while worked hard to empty it Last not least we want to thank the receptionist s who produce this fine document and have to deal with the problems of printer document jams and toner replacement that documents of this size and nature invariably produce Contents Table of Contents Foreword Part Introducing 4COM De OVER REPRE EIS N System requirements oiii cedo epe ci deor Database Sizing m Product amp feature configuration Starting 4COM for the first time Grade set up User security Statistics thresholds o Installing Configuring 4COM to run on a PC for the first time c c vC v 0 B G n 0 0 0 S 0 S n0 SS0 SXX BL LB B9 Van m Part Il Explaining the user in
168. s has completed the Site Tank Pump amp 4DET properties if applicable should reflect those configured in the PCC Note failure in this process to obtain from the its entire configuration will result in flashing alert notification in the status bar Examine the Audit trail to determine the exact nature of the failure Consult the troubleshooting guide for resolution of these errors IMPORTANT If you elect to send site parameters to a site prior to the dialing of the site the user will be prompted whether a Master Reset of the PCC is required Note that if you select Yes to this prompt you will have to perform the Focus Forecourt Configuration again While this is being done the site will NOT be operational You should use this option answer yes with the utmost cautionn PCC Site properties The Site Properties dialog provides the user with the interface to define many of the properties required to configure the PCC for activities centered around data collection Many of the parameters such as the Site Number Start of day were traditionally only ever able to be configured using 4COM as these parameters were once non essential in the basic operation of pump control for a site These properties are now a configured using the PCC Configuration utility Focus software so care should be taken to ensure the overlapping properties configured using Focus amp 4COM are indeed the same Furthermore as Focus is the site configuration tool c
169. s keypad Cards which have an encoded field controlling prompt for odometer over ride this setting e Prompt User Data When enabled it will prompt the customer to enter a secondary identification number which further defines a variable ie Different cars for same driver Prompt for Preset Amount When enabled it will prompt the customer to enter a specific amount of fuel to pump In dollars The Receipt Options group of properties is used to configure the 4REC receipt printer if one is fitted Receipt Control The Receipt Control can be set to either optional Meaning that the operator at the site will be prompted with a question on the 4DET unit whether or not to have a receipt printed or never Meaning no receipt will be printed Receipt LF Count This is the number of empty lines printed after printing the receipt For use with the standard Postec Forecourt receipt Printer 4REC this should be set to zero Log Pump Authorisation Lastly the Log Pump Authorisation property instructs the PCC to record a transaction authorising the dispenser as well as that at the completion of the transaction By disabling this property many more transactions are able to be stored in the internal PCC transaction file Allocation Limits The Allocation Limits page allows limits to be placed on a grade basis Only two options are available No limit which indicates unrestricted use to the grade providing card authorisation is obtained and B
170. s only available to users with administrative privileges on the PC from which this 4COM Control Panel extension is being run 4COM Setup amp Configuration Database General Timeouts SMTP Settings Modem Dialing DB Restore Utils IMPROTANT Before attempting to restore the database from the last backup ensure there are no database client connections That is ensure 4COM Manager client connections have been terminated Furthermore ensure the Process Scheduler service has been stopped on the machine from which it is run Note also that data collected from sites in the network after the last backup will NOT be restored After the restore completes you should use the 4COM Manager to retrieve this data as soon as possible before it is overwritten in the remote site PCCs and becomes unrecoverable Utils Finally this tab allows users to install amp uninstall the Process Scheduler amp Postec Guardian services and also delete all the 4COM related personal setting stored in teh HKEY Current User registry hive After installing 4COM for the first time it will be necessary to install these two services 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Introducing 4COM Database General Timeouts SMTP Settings Modem Dialing DB Restore Utils 4COM Services Process Scheduler Process Guardian Delete 4COM personal settings 17 1987
171. se Joes File Edit View Reports Tools Help Address S200 Processes Daily ATG STM Upload vi DRA xko AFYA Folder List e 564698 Truck Haven 564700 Taylors Truck Stop n Chomp 3 gis Configuration eg PCC c Tanks Dispensers 3 4DET 3 a Data Dispenser TOS 2 Dispenser Electronic Totals D Tank Inventory Q Tank Deliveries caq Process Scheduler Windows service Navigation Aids DATETIME REFERENCE P 7 TRANSACT la 01 04 2002 17 25 omal Sale Diesel 01 04 2002 17 22 divisions Sale Diesel Drag column header to 01 04 2002 17 16 95 Normal Sale Diesel new position in header 01 04 2002 17 11 9614 70758108 007 NormalSale Diesel to re order columns 01 04 2002 17 08 9613 7076010000142151 NormalSale Diesel 01 04 2002 17 06 9612 7076010000142151 NormalSale Diesel 01 04 2002 17 02 9611 7076010000043383 NormalSale Diesel 121 1 000 01 04 2002 16 58 9610 7076010000040959 NormalSale Diesel 197 1 000 01 04 2002 16 50 9609 7076016000041619 NormalSale Diesel PXS514 1 000 01 04 2002 16 47 9608 7076010000040637 NormalSale Diesel 97 1 000 01 04 2002 16 42 9607 7076016000042161 NormalSale Diesel TVY580 1 000 01 04 2002 15 37 9606 7076016000041403 Term VIU Seq Diese 01 04 2002 16 27 9605 7076010000142151 Normal Unacknowledged audit errors and or warnings need investigatin
172. selected file is rewritten with the processing amendments applied interpolation extrapolation amp smoothing in preparation for the user to send it back to site The CSV file generated is able to be processed using MS Excel and graphed to visualise the effects of the Tank Calibration Process showing not only the original data captured in the auto calibration process but the effect of the processing and the finalised tank calibration profile It is important to examine this before sending the resultant file back to the site and configuring the PCC to use the tank calibration profile in tank volume calculations It may be necessary to doctor spurious or unwanted data points obtained in the original auto calibration process These points will be immediately obvious in the graphical representation of the CSV file and should this be required the original tank calibration file s can be forwarded to Postec who have to tools and expertise to perform this operation Note it is planned that a future update of 4COM will include 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 101 this functionality Unprocessed Tank Calibration file The following graph shows a typical unprocessed tank calibration file The horizontal axis shows the tank level or height in millimetres The vertical axis shows the tank calibrated volume profile for the region of the tank calibrated The gaps in the profile Y axis 0 are w
173. sers must number sequentially with no gaps Furthermore any dispenser copied will be automatically given a dispenser number one 1 higher than the highest numbered dispenser 1 Tank 3 Di 2 Tank 3 Diess The Hose Properties dialog provides the user the ability to configure the properties of the hose For a standard dispenser this is simply the dispenser Hose and primary Tank to which teh hose is connected Note where manifolded tanks are configured for teh site only the manifold master tank is able to be selected By default the grade property inherits the grade assigned to the primary tank selected but can be changed to an alternate grade should a grade over ride be required A grade over ride is useful where for example the site sell the same product grade at two different prices attended amp self serve and reporting needs to identify which specifi grade is used 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 50 4COM Site Management System Dispenser Filling Position Hose Properties Dispenser 3 Tank Primary Tank amp 1 Diesel 1 Position n a Composition 100 Grade Diesel iv Secondary Tank Tank Composition 0 The PCC also facilitates control amp monitoring of blended dispensers A blended dispenser provide a high octane feedstock grade a lower octane feedstock and also an intemedia
174. shares are user specific and do NOT exist until the user logs into the O S DBMS client Windows services will on the other hand start up and run accessing a database long before amp regardless of whether a user is logged into the O S It may be prudent to discuss this with your company s IT personnel as it will have ramifications with respect to backups To install Firebird DBMS software select the Install Firebird Server option from the Postec Installer on the 4COM Installation CD accepting the defaults provided during the installation process Once completed the Firebird DBMS will be both installed amp operational One final tweak needs to be performed before the installed Firebird DBMS can be used to host the 4COM database fully After the installation has been completed the user will need to locate and open edit the Firebird conf file located in the Firebird Installation folder using a text file editor Notepad or similar and change the entry disabling external file access 4COM uses external files for archives archiving The character denoting a comment will need to be removed and the start of the line and the default specification None disabling this feature changed to FULL as detailed below Please take the time to read amp understand the warning warning about Firebird external tables If this risk is deemed unacceptable and external file access is NOT enabled then data will NOT be able to be archived in 4COM and over time
175. sole manager option usually protected by password The function is to reset the pump errors and delete invalid sales data without processing it through the POS Pump resets from the POS could indicate a hardware operational fault with a pump or possibly attempted fraud with the console operator deleting transactions from a manager menu to avoid processing transactions through the Point Of Sale terminal 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 140 4COM Site Management System Examining the Site Events Report will show the pump number date and time of the pump reset 13 CRIP Events Card Reader in Pumps CRIP events include the following CRIP controller offline Audit printer faults e g paper out CRIP terminal faults CRIP Receipt printer faults e g paper out Examining the Site Events Report will show the date time specific device number and fault description 4 11 15 Site Configuration Report This report displays the complete configuration for a site Information includes e Site Parameters Site Pump Hose Tank assignment Site Tank parameters Auxiliary Devices setup 4DET configuration 4 11 16 Audit Report This report is an activity journal of 4ACOM related Events recorded by activities both user initiated and those automatically in the case of unattended Process execution from the Process Scheduler The data and time are stamped against each event together with a description of the
176. ss has completed it will remain in the Unprocessed state indefinitely and user intervention is required progress this state to the desired next and final state Completed whereby the information collected is used The user intervention actions required then are Retrieve tank calibration profile Process tank calibration profile e Send back processed tank calibration profile e Configure PCC to utilise this tank Calibration profile Completed The is configured to calculate tank volumes for the specified tank based on the tank calibration profile Note this assumes the tank calibration in the PCC has been correctly processed i e assembled retrieved processed then sent back to the PCC for utilisation Failure to ensure an accurate or meaning full tank calibration profile is loaded when set to the Completed state may mean inaccurate or inappropriate tank volumes in the PCC s Wetstock control processes and reports ATG Strap The PCC is configured to use the volumes provided by the ATG controller or a theoretical model 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 99 of the tank shape based on the product height in it s Wetstock control processes and reports Note this state can be set regardless of whether the calibration process has been completed and will therefore over ride the use of the tank calibration profile to determine tank volumes if one is loaded 4 2
177. st Computer 2 38400 Baud Host 3 4 12 Modem 3 Postec P144 P336 5 20 Fuel Pump B 27 DataLogger Aux Device Port 4 Properties 4 Postec 4DET g Device 12 Modem 3 10 POS Teri gt n emi Specific Device 3 Postec P144 P336 11 amp EPS CRIP 12 13 14 15 Cancel The Aux Devices page contains the Aux port configurations for the PCC This reflects the array of other forecourt devices that may interface to the PCC It is important this set up accurately reflects the actual configuration of the PCC Incorrect configuration in this respect may mean various aspects of the forecourt simply do NOT function To edit any port simply open the selected record and specify the Aux Port settings for the port in the Aux Device Properties dialog provided Note the message in the bottom right hand corner of the Site Properties This message alerts the user to the fact that the Site Properties have been edited and not yet transmitted to the site Hence what is displayed in the dialog may NOT accurately reflect how the PCC is actually configured Once the Site Parameters file is transmitted to site successfully or the site parameters file is retrieved from site and the information imported into the 4COM database this message does NOT appear The Dial parameters page defines how the PCC reacts to incoming and outgoing calls note the PCC dials out under various al
178. stec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Explaining the user interface 27 21 workspace Folder List CD e 2002 Network EJ Everts ke Depenter Totals Diaper Elections Totals Q Tork Deliveries 1 Tark Reconciliation Tark Transactions f CON Tody 554700 Tapes Truck Shop n Cho Corhgashon Tork Depersers EJ Everts Stahitc Depenaer Totals Deoenae Totals G Tank Inventory Tark Delvenes Tank Recenchahon Tork Vanance Transectons Opeahen Y ineo m Epot 2 Report DB Processes D E Prce Schedule Alsen Templates Urds Users Statistics Thresholds Types Aut selected record in the Properties dialog The 4COM objects the user interacts with appear as folders in the left hand tree view pane of the Manager Some of these objects are hierarchical in nature have parent child relationships therefore the user is able to open and explore the branch Objects which contain child folders have a button adjacent to the image and name identifying the folder which identifies the state of the folder expanded or contracted The user first selects the folder of interest in the left hand tree view pane and the contents of that folder are displayed in the right hand pane The objects in the right h
179. t 900 a No Response Timeout 5 Process Processor IP Protocol E No Response Timeout 60 PCC Telnet NAT 5 Completion Timeout 14 400 e PEPs Telnet 10 Defered Queued Processes Process Scheduler Response Timeout 300 Note All timeouts are expressed in seconds Postec Guardian Windows service monitors and doing so controls the Process Scheduler Windows service which is responsible for initiating configured 4COM Processes at the appropriate time The Process Scheduler in turn monitors any 4COM Processes initiated by it at the scheduled time the ProcessProcessor exe application Each Process in turn monitors the many Site Processors initiated to perform the site communications tasks requested configured Each site Processor finally monitors and control the various communications protocol parameters In general each parent ensures any child processes initiated by the parent are managed in terms of the expected time taken to complete a task and their continued responsiveness That is if any child process is deemed unresponsive after the No Response Timeout period then it is shut down freeing the resources associated with it then restarted Similarly if a child process launched by the parent does not complete as expected in the Completion Timeout period then it too is shut down freeing any resources associated with it then is restarted The default settings sh
180. t Process If Resume Fails property Note when ever the Process Scheduler is enabled the startup type indeed of the two 4COM services Process Scheduler amp Postec Guardian is set to Automatic such that the services automatically start whenever the PC reboots The report shading properties specify how Processes run from the Process Scheduler service will present the various 4COM reports Note this property can be individually configured for each of the 4COM Manager client applications where reports can be interactively run by setting the same property in Options dialog from the 4COM Manager Finally an errant or dysfunctional Process can be shut down by pressing the Terminate active scheduled Process button TimeOuts The multi tiered architecture of the 4COM suite of applications provides a robust framework to ensure long term unattended automated operation as configured by the 4COM Manager is achieved without the need for users to shut down amp restart various applications as is sometimes necessary with Windows applications when they either become unresponsive or start behaving unexpectedly or errantly 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 14 4COM Site Management System 4COM Setup amp Configuration Database General Timeouts SMTP Settings Modem Dialing DB Restore Utils Site Processor Serial Protocol No Response Timeout B 2 Retry Threshold 10 2 Completion Timeou
181. t book marked file pointer for the user maintained by the PDL it is recommended that complete downloads be performed to ensure the entire contents are retrieved Note partial downloads are usually only used for regular remote transaction retrieval using the data logger as the data source The partial download option facilitates faster downloads only those transactions since those last downloaded are retrieved the purpose to minimise download time and consequently cost which is not usually an issue for local RS232 connections in disaster recovery situations 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 96 4 Site Management System 4 2 Tank Calibration A tank gauge essentially measures the product air interface and converts or calculates this to the corresponding volume Initially tank volumes are calculated on the mathematical model based on an ideal cylinder on its side where the diameter and full capacity volume are known t is possible to get a more accurate height to volume conversion by calibrating the tank The basic steps in for performing the complete tank calibration process are e Activate the auto calibration process either manually or automatically utilising the PCC s start calibration threshold Dispense product normally from tank lowering the level allowing the PCC auto calibration functionality to build a volume height profile Deactivate the auto calibration process
182. t normally be used there are occasions in which it is necessary Primarily this when transaction files obtained using the data logger need to be imported into the 4COM Database to supplement the data captured using 4COM 4COM also provides the ability to import cards from a CSV file of course where Card Management functionality has been enabled Using the Card File Viewing functionality Tools Utilities View Card File from the main menu native PCC card files retrieved from PCC s can be viewed and optionally later imported using the CSV card import functionality Also of significance are the applications where 4COM is used as an intermediary data transfer mechanism from data held in various external management systems An example of this is where a company might maintain cards distributed to their customers for use at sites in their fuel distribution network in their own in house card management system Here it is necessary to import the cards from an intermediary card extract file provided by this card management system into 4COM for transmission to sites in the fuel distribution network For situation such as this Custom imports are provided according to individual 4COM customer requirements The benefit of storing the 4COM data in a database then is that this data is easily accessible either directly or indirectly through custom import export functionality provided either by the vendor the 4COM customer or indeed a third party contra
183. te all records for the site that are time stamped later gt the start timestamp of the hole This can be done using the transaction filter functionality to view only those transactions for a site greater than a nominated date time When this has been done select all the records Ctrl A then delete them Next use the Postec Data logger Logger Reader utility to extract the Data logger contents and save the contents to disk files Next use the 4COM Manager or process the extracted site transaction file XXXXXxX trn or extended transaction file XXXXXX etf using the PCC File import functionality Note it is essential ONLY the correct file is processed if the Aux devices for the site in question contains a reference to X fuel then process the etf file otherwise process the trn file This topic is currently under construction Postec are busy compiling a comprehensive list of not only 4COM problems encountered but also a list of problems experienced at sites and how using 4COM the appropriate remedial action can determined and under taken You will be notified as soon as this information is available PCC Events The purpose of this section is to provide assistance in interpreting the PCC Event file reports as can be uploaded and viewed by 4COM or other applications The PCC Event file consists of a structured record containing the following fields Date Time Device Code Node number Event Code Description block The Device and Event c
184. te fields for inclusion from the chosen data source In addition a name for reference purposes must be provided Currently only one data source can be provided and there is no provision for summary data i e subtotals Custom Profile Properties Data Source TRANSACTIONS Avis Wellington Available fields Show these fields in this order ATTENDANTNO DATETIME UAPIDDATAT EI SALEVOLUME CARDDATA2 SALEVALUE CARDDATA3 VEHICLEREGISTRATION ODOMETER CARDDATA4 CARDDATAB CARDDATA CARDDATA8 CARDNUMBER CARDPLANID CARDPLANNUMBER CARDVEHICLEREG COMPARTMENTNO m Once an export template has been created it can be used to export the data anytime you like interactively by running the Generic Export in the Operations Export Node just above reports Here the user is able to specify the format amp destination Note you can t email if you do not have an on line to a mail server i e you have to connect to the internet manually but you can save the resultant files Excel or plain text or HTML web based files to a folder on your PC 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Working with 4COM 77 Generic Export ES General Parameters Sites Destination O Email Local File Folder C Documents and SettingssBryanssMy Documents Subject Format Excel O Text Template Avis Wellington
185. te octane grade which results from blending the high amp low octane feedstocks in some predefined ratio set internally in the dispenser The dispening of a premixed two stroke grade from both petrol amp oil feedstocks is another application for blended dispensers common in countries where there is a significant two stroke motor cycle fleet Dispenser Filling Position Hose Properties Dispenser 3 Tank Primary Position 577 Tank 3 Regular 91 ition 60 Grade 96 iv Componian Secondary Tank Tank 8 Super 98 Composition 40 An blended dispenser configuration requires specification of both the primary amp secondary feedstock tanks together with the resultant grade and a blend percentage Blended dispenser also require specification of a position which maps the external hose number 1 of 4 to the appropriate internal filling position 1 of 8 While standard dispenser configurations are communications to the PCC in the Site Parameters par file sites where blending is provided require the sending of the Blended Dispenser Map file in addition to the site amp tank parameters from 4COM to the remote PCC 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Working with 4COM 51 3 1 4 4DET properties To view a summary of the 4DET properties configured for a site locate the 4DET folder within the selected site
186. ted CardPlan To display the CardPlan Properties dialog the user must select Properties from the pop up menu provided when the selected CardPlan is right clicked in the grid Card Plan Properties Validation Options C Software PIN PAN Picture C Grade Restrictions Vehicle Registration Name POSTEC Cancel Because the values entered for the various CardPlan properties defined below need to accurately reflect the details encoded onto the physical cards tags it is suggested that advice from Postec support personnel be sought before changes are made to these fields as incorrect specification can render a site inoperable Name This is the unique name used to reference the CardPlan PAN Picture This field defines the structure and make up of ALL cards tags associated with this CardPlan By definition a PAN consists of a string of numeric digits The PAN picture defines the common prefixed digits together with the total number of digits appearing in th PAN for the constituent cards tags Validation Options Vehicle Registration Most card tag authorisations authorise dispensers amp identify the end user based on the PAN which uniquely identifies card tag being presented Often this PAN is an abstract number and is a transitory means of identifying the vehicle person for which the fuel transaction applies It is possible to use the alpha numeric Vehicle Registration directly for the authorisation in systems
187. ted interactively are NOT displayed The Process simply activates as a hidden background task and does not interfere with the general operation of the PC or other applications work currently being carried out on it 3 22 Interactive Site Communications Right click the selected site in the 4COM Manager then select Connect to site from the pop up menu provided Check the files you wish to retrieve from the group of files type on the left and the files you wish to transmit from the group of files on the right Finally press the OK button Note it is important to understand that any files sent to site can have a significant impact on the operation of the site therefore this should be actioned with caution Interactive Site Communications Receive File s Transmit File s Site Parameters Site Parameters Tank Parameters Tank Parameters Events Cards Statistics 4DET Parameters v Tank Delivery Grade Prices Dispenser Totals Alarm Definitions Dispenser Electronic T c Card Filef21 M v Tank Reconciliation Tank Inventory prr T The Site Processor Dialog will then be displayed in which the selected site is dialed the PCC device selected the date time read the totals rolled then each of the file s nominated in the previous dialog retrieved Also if in the previous dialog you elect to send file s i e a card file or Scheduled Grade Price Change file then these files too will be sent Of course any file you elect t
188. ter station Event Description Online PCC established communications with the Forecourt Authorization Terminal Offline PCC lost communications with the Forecourt Authorization Terminal Device Enabled Forecourt Terminal operation opened by Console or Auto Calendar Device Disabled Forecourt Terminal operation closed by PoS Console or Auto Calendar Diagnostic Reset Forecourt Terminal State machine Error Customer dialog terminated Should not normally happen although can if Forecourt Terminal gets power cycled Particular note should be made of a common F C Auth term 4DET event that often happens but is NOT reported in the Site Events data Instead this event manifests itself in the Transaction data for the site 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 117 When the pump goes offline while in use the PCC creates a record of Off Progress data meaning the pump went offline and the transaction data in this record is from monitoring progress sale data and may be less than the actual amount dispensed When the dispenser comes back online the PCC attempts to recover the actual amount which may or may not be available depending on the age of the dispenser ie whether it has non volatile memory for the transaction If it can get the data it creates a 2nd record of Off Retrieve sale with the actual amount but does not store this against the PAN as we
189. terface oa fF Locating d ta Widmer xg cce Keyboard jiigtiel i e Selecting Sites cones Customising 4COM Rene 81e o a e e a CUSTOMISING the Grid Part Ill Working with 1 Modeling Site me PCC Site e ae a r Ae e a e ae Properties me Dispenser properties ADET enIIUI ID UMidldpcislclmee x dd me 2 Retrieving site data cene rennen rtr nn ANAA xa dp x AKARNANAK ARANNA NAAR Unattended Multi Site Communications Interactive Site Communications eeeeeeeieeeesiieeeeseeeseeeenee nennen nn nntn nn nnnnn ana nnn n mannen annene nnna 3 Working with processes
190. th the number of records selected presented in the grid Also of note is weather extended selection is available Many 4COM objects particularly historical data types allow actions such as deletion X to be performed on a group more than 1 of selected records When more than one record is able to be selected in the grid the EXT extended select in the status bar is enabled Using the standard Windows keys Ctrl amp Shift selection techniques the user is able to select more than one record Alternatively pressing Ctrl A selects ALL the records in the grid Both the Address control in the tool bar and the ability to change views from detailed grid to iconic or graphical are works in progress and have not been fully implemented in the current version In summary then the 4COM Manager is used to provide the user with the ability to quickly locate and maintain 4COM objects of interest for the purpose of carrying out the primary task that of site data collection and analysis The maintenance of these objects is NOT done within the confines of the grid where the data is summarised It is done within the context of a Properties dialog which is unique for each 4COM object The set of actions too that may be performed on any 4COM object identified are context sensitive in that the user is given access to only what is appropriate 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Explaining the user interface 29 2 2 L
191. the 4COM Tank parameter file Stock Current is the current non temperature compensated volume Stock Midnight is the stock figures at 0 00 for the day reported Tank Ullage how empty the tank is calculated from the 10096 of the tank capacity Water level in degrees Celsius Stock Net is the stock current volume normalised to 15 degrees Celsius Tank Calibration Status displays the status of tank auto calibration Operating Variance the difference between the current stock gauged volume and the theoretical book stock figure maintained from the dispenser sales Variance midnight the Operating variance figure at midnight before it is reset back to zero e idle variance the accumulation of litres gained or lost between sales since last delivery was made The report will also display any alarms which have been triggered for each tank including High product level Low product level High water level Suspect Tank leaks Sudden loss Communications errors Data integrity errors A range of sites can be selected for consolidating into a single report An exception report can be viewed only displaying the tanks with variances outside requested thresholds or any of the alarm conditions active 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 133 4 11 6 Tank Deliveries Report This report displays the deliveries made into tanks on a site as measured by the PCC The delivery is me
192. the database size performance will degrade As an alternative to archives archiving database size performance can be managed over time by permanently deleting old historical data External File Paths Directories 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 10 4COM Site Management System ExternalFileAccess may be None Full or Restrict If you choose Restrict provide separated trees list where external files are stored Relative paths are treated relative to RootDirectory entry see above Default value None disables any use of external files on your site To specify access to specific trees enum all required paths for Win32 this may be something like CAExternalTables for unix db extern mnt extern NOTE THE EXTERNAL TABLE ENGINE FEATURE COULD BE USED TO COMPROMISE THE SERVER HOST AS WELL AS DATABASE SECURITY IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT THIS SETTING BE USED TO LIMIT EXTERNAL TABLE LOCATIONS Type string special format ExternalFileAccess Full Install 4COM Components After the Firebird server software has been installed it is necessary to install the 4COM software onto each of the 4COM client PC s by selecting the Install 4COM option from the Postec Installer on the 4COM Installation CD Install Firebird Client Components optional Next it is necessary to install the Firebird client software onto any 4COM client P
193. the theoretical model of the tank 80000 4 70000 Theory L Cal Volume L 60000 Fast Fuel Motors Tank 1 Super 50000 40000 ra 30000 20000 Fa 10000 Volume litres 2016 2112 2208 2304 2400 2496 2592 2688 2784 2880 2976 Level mm Level Tank Calibration vs Theoretical Model The following graph shows the difference between the processed tank calibration file and the theoretical model of the tank on a magnified scale The horizontal axis shows the tank level or height in millimetres The vertical axis shows the difference between the tank calibrated volume profile and the theoretical model of the tank 1400 4 Fast Fuel Motors Tank 1 Super 1200 1000 sm v 5 600 gt 400 200 0 EO x 0 zx QO O st tO CO CO O CO CO CO E RE RF i5 amp 2 8 xiu MSS orcf ltuwsss m uus gom 777779705535 a N CU NN CN EN UON TIN EN CX amp Level mm 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 103 4 24 ATG Dipstick Variances There a number of reasons why the ATG volumes differ from the tank dip stick readings e Repeatability Even small variations in surface level waves introduced into the product when the dip stick is repeatedly withdrawn amp inserted can have a significant
194. their request to delete an object it can be very easy to remove wanted information from the database in fact as easy as pressing the delete key on the selected record Of course if the folder supports multiple record selection then all data for the site could be deleted with two key presses Ctrl A select all then Del delete It must be understood that once data record s have been deleted from the database they can NOT be recovered short of restoring an old backup of the database prior to the offending record s having been deleted That is there is no undelete or undo facility except where a cancel button is provided typically found in other Windows applications The Mute Sound control provided can be used to disable audio notification of key 4COM events The Verbose Logging control allows a detailed trace of all communications and site processing activities to be maintained when executed from the 4COM Manager should the user encounter problems in these areas These trace amp log files aid Postec support staff diagnose and correct such problems The properties on this page are specific to the 4COM user in fact the user logged into the OS Note also the Auto Disconnect When Finished property only applies to Interactive Site Communications sessions That is Processes executed from both the 4COM Manager and from the Process Scheduler service automatically disconnect after completing their required tasks configured regardless of this sett
195. those indicated by the characters Furthermore the PAN field MUST have the same total number of digits as that of the PAN Picture specification in the parent CardPlan properties dialog The PIN and Fuel Restriction amp Vehicle Reg fields are optional and only enabled if these corresponding options are enabled for the parent CardPlan The PIN fields allows a software assigned PIN do not confuse this with a PIN that may be encoded on a Card to be assigned to the Card The PIN is restricted to 4 numeric digits Checking any grade of the Fuel Restrictions will enable the corresponding grade to be obtained for that card at site s A vehicle Registration is provided where validation against the vehicle registration read off the card tag is also required in addition to the PAN encoded on the card tag This is where specific cards tags are to be used only in conjunction with specific vehicles and NOT other vehicles or indeed in isolation of a vehicle Card Properties General Additional Info Grade Restrictions SUPER Vehicle Reg AD qewasdsfdfcdfdf PIN PREMIUM KEROSENE Authorised wadeva AVGas JET A1 45454 PAN 41588030000000123 The authorised field is used to signify whether the card should be able to be utilised at sites to obtain fuel If the Card is stolen or has been removed from circulation for any reason its Authorised field should be unchecked immediately and the revised card list sent to Site s If the c
196. tion count button can be used to resynchronise the client connection count In order to do this ALL client connections with the database must first be terminated A lost connection will timeout after 10 minutes if left to its own devices General Both the controls in the Process Options group of controls apply to the behaviour of a Process initiated either interactively by a user in the 4COM Manager or automated by the Process Scheduler The number of separate site communications attempts for any given site should all the requested tasks NOT be completed satisfactorily in a single 4COM Process before that site is deemed uncontactable is able to be configured using the Site Processor Attempts property 4COM Setup amp Configuration Database General Timeouts SMTP Settinas Modem Dialing DB Restore Utils Process ptions The Process Scheduler Concurrent LAN Site Processors 3 service is NOT running Site Processing Attempts 2 Local Port Direct to COM1 Options Report Shading Verbose Logging Band Color Process Scheduler Service Configuration Companion Applications 4MON C Program FileskPostec4MON SAMON exe Temp PCC Files Location Folder C Documents and Settings 4ll Users Application DataXPostec 4COM N m The number of concurrent LAN Site Processing is also able to be set While being able to Process ALL sites connected via a LAN in a fuel distribut
197. truction to send the card file to site s in the network where you wish any changes you have made in the card management system to take effect Failure to correctly action any one of these step will mean any changes you have made in the 4COM database to cards new cards added or cards removed or unauthorized will NOT be recognised at site s The Card Management System refers to a common family of cards by the term CardPlan Each card belongs to a parent CardPlan In this manner the CardPlan encapsulates information common to all cards of the same family and allows the user to focus on the specific details of each individual card Before any card can be modeled in 4COM the appropriate CardPlan s must first be set up 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 80 4COM Site Management System 3 7 1 CardPlan Properties To view the CardPlans currently defined in 4COM from the 4COM Manager select the CardPlans folder in the left hand tree view pane The list of CardPlans is summarised in the right hand window From here the user is able to Add new CardPlans or delete existing CardPlans though it should be noted that deleting a CardPlan removes also deletes all card allocated to the selected CardPlan The default open action unlike the majority of other objects does NOT display the CardPlan Properties dialog Instead in opens the CardPlan folder displaying all the cards allocated to the selec
198. vaa 121 nr 122 Terminal Eno em 122 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Contents 10 11 122 Archiving Historical Site Data 123 Database Backup amp Restore eese esee nennen nennt antennae nennt nnn 125 Database Update eerte ret petet rene 127 Database Update Wizard 1 1 1 1 1 2111 127 4COM Site Data Entities 5 eccL 129 Qj me M 130 Dispenser Totals Reconciliation Report 1 annua 130 Grade 6 131 Dispenser Hose Totals 131 Dispenser Electronic Totals Report 1 1 ene nna nennt ann itn aaa sinn nass sena dass 132 Tank Inventory Report E XM 132 Tank DeliverieS Report M 133 Tank Reconciliation 133 Tank Variance Report
199. vity If it detects a pump being used it expects the transaction to be completed and collect the sale data If a pump transaction is not completed and the sale data recorded by the PCC it will log and count this as a 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 139 sequence error pump communications loop number 1 4 unmanned site usually uses loops 3 and 4 Action Check the Statistics and Events reports for other related events i e Pump Offline Pump Bad Msg Counter Call service to investigate and rectify the communications problems Note The sequence error indicates that the PCC has not recorded the data for the pump sale This will result in the dispenser accumulated totals to be low and will result in a loss on the Wetstock Reconciliation Report Also the monthly operating variance will record the loss as the theoretical volume will be higher than the gauged volume 10 ATG Events Cause The PCC is continually monitoring the Automatic Tank Gauging ATG system and recording and counting related events for each type of gauge These include e offline from PCC communications problems power failure ATG controller reported errors ATG tank probe reported problems ATG alarms This could be caused by a power cut to the site e g tank probe errors These errors are recorded for each individual tank probe where the tank number is quoted Contamination errors i
200. volume at a sites start of day time Dispenser sales are subtracted from the theoretical Volume and deliveries are added to the theoretical volume by the PCC The Operating Variance is the difference between the theoretical volume and the actual gauged volume This is only calculated by the PCC when a tank is idle i e no dispensers drawing fuel from the tank and no deliveries in progress The Idle Variance is an accumulating figure measured by the PCC monitoring changes in the tank levels while no dispensers are in use The idle variance is reset to zero after a delivery is made The report can be requested for a specified date amp time window 4 11 9 Dispenser Transactions Report This report lists the partial transaction details made under the control of a forecourt card authorisation terminal e g e Postec 4DET Island Card Readers e Gilbarco CRIP system Transaction while POS offline It differs from the Dispenser Extended Transaction report in that is it does NOT display and of the data fields captured under x fuel forecourt operation The following fields are displayed for each transaction record e Transaction Date and time Transaction sequence number Odometer reading entered on the 4DET Transaction code description e g normal Sale Cancelled Zero fill limit reached blocked card etc Pump Number including sub hose number for MPD Grade of fuel Unit Price Sale Volume amount Sale Dollar Amount The report can be
201. w at a rate of lt 42kb per day neglecting any other Diagnostic or STM activities AND of course neglecting the Audit records which should be managed by the user Lastly These are estimates only Due to the nature of variable length character field records employed by Firebird and used extensively in 4COM records of a similar type i e in the same table can consume different amounts of disk space 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 4COM Site Management System 1 3 Installing 4COM The Installation of 4COM is a multi part process requiring the user to first install the required components It is important to understand these two configurations so that the most appropriate configuration can be chosen and the appropriate components installed Multi User Configurations In corporate environments where multiple users require access to the site data captured by 4COM it is appropriate to install the Firebird server software onto a database server PC and Install the 4COM applications amp Firebird Client software onto each of the clients PC s where access to 4COM is required With this architecture though like all true Client Server applications the Database server needs to be available to the client PC s for users to gain access to 4 Multi User DB Server Architecture Optional Application Server DB Server 4Com Application Software Firebird Server amp 4Com DB i
202. we 133 Dispenser Transactions Report 134 Dispenser Extended Transactions Report eseeeee 135 Transactions Report eec ecce Ie cue ccc eg Ines sce 135 Network Card Transactions Report 136 Site Events Report Site Statistics Report Site Configuration Report 5 EIUS 140 AUGIt MET 140 Historical Grade Prices BepotrL eerie coca acere cese ap case usc 140 Index 0 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Foreword It is undeniable that technology is playing an ever increasing role in more of our lives Significantly technology has enabled us to no longer restrict our movements our thinking and indeed our opportunities to our immediate local environment This in turn has lead to the growing trend of globalisation and as a consequence when we reach out and start to compete with others a world away a move toward a more market driven society With our insatiable desire to move not only ourselves but also the goods we manufacture ever increasing distances in ever decreasing timeframes transportation to
203. where this alpha data is either manually entered via suitable keypad or where this data can be automatically collected In addition to this dispenser authorisation can be two fold validated against the PAN amp a vehicle registration ensuring the person issued the tag can ONLY refuel appropriate vehicle s With this check box checked the Vehicle Registration property in the Card properties dialog is enabled Grade Restrictions Checking this check box enables the fuel restrictions for this CardPlan when no fuel restrictions are encoded on the card With this check box checked grade restrictions are enabled in the Card properties dialog Software PIN Having this check box checked enables the use of a software PIN code for this CardPlan The software PIN code is downloaded to and verified by the PCC 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Working with 4COM 81 3 7 2 Card Properties The Card Properties dialog allows the user to Add and Open individual card s tags modelled in 4COM The dialog consists of two pages only the first of which has mandatory fields On the General page the user is able to supply the numeric PAN Primary Authorisation Number and or alphanumeric vehicle registration for dispenser authorisation purposes as determined by the parent CardPlan properties Note the digits prefixing the PAN as defined in the PAN Picture field of the parent CardPlan are NOT able to be changed only
204. x 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved 95 44 Data Logger Interogation Both interactive and scheduled site communications facilitate data logger downloads by simply nominating the PDL Contents as the data source in the receive file list options This should be used for remote communications where the data logger is connected to the PCC Because the data logger facilitates increased storage volume of the dispenser transactions than the PCC s internal file system PCC Transactions trn or Extended Transactions etf data source its primary use is that as a backup mechanism in which the device can be unplugged from the PCC replaced and sent back to the regional office for interrogation where the contents are extracted In this situation the device will no longer be connected to a PCC however using an appropriate RS232 cable the device can be connected to 4COM directly for retrieving the transactions PDL Direct Data Retrieval Options Site 123 Complete Partial Partial Download amp ccesslD Com Port Direct to COM3 From the 4COM main menu in the 4COM Manager Select Tools Utilities PDL Direct Enter the site to which the transactions to be retrieved from the unit are to be attributed to and select the comport to through which the data logger is connectd to the PC While the software allows for Partial downloads from the las
205. xecuted to be automatically created when this Process completes This feature allows the user to activate the newly created process and retry only the sites that fail By enabling the Email Process Summary Notification the nominated user is sent a succinct email detailing whether or not the Process successfully managed to contact all the sites and if not which sites were unsuccessfully Note the SMTP settings in the 4COM Control Panel extension must be set up accordingly to utilise this The next page of the wizard requests the user supply some reference name for the Process Lastly the user is asked to confirm their choice of answers before the Process configuration is saved Note the Process can be refined at the completion so it is just necessary to answer these high level questions at this stage In particular you will be asked to nominate the site s you wish the Process to contact and the functions you wish to perform which determines which files will be sent retrieved After you have completed the wizard and saved the Process you may wish to customise the Process just created in the Process Properties dialog Answer yes to the prompt provided Finally when you are happy with you Process specification it can be saved then executed 1987 2009 Postec Data Systems Ltd all rights reserved Working with 4COM 65 3 3 2 Process properties The Process Properties Dialog is displayed in which you can see the sites nominated i
206. yed for each line of the report Tank No Grade Name Date Time started selling at this unit price Unit Price Accumulated dollar total for the period at the specified unit price Accumulated volume total for the period at the specified unit price In addition to this a summary record is added for each day which contains the following fields e Accumulated dollar total for the period e Accumulated volume total for the period A Grand Total dollar value and volume for the reporting period appears at the bottom of this report This report can be requested for a specified date amp time window 4 11 3 Dispenser Hose Totals Report This report displays the data acquired by the PCC Site Totals Monitoring STM application A Summary report options is available A new line of accumulated totals is reported for each hose on the site under the following conditions e Daily e Ona unit price change e Hourly e request from the POS Console and or remote Head Office software 4COM Note for the Summary report option A new line of accumulated totals is reported for each hose on the site under the following conditions e Foreach Pump and hose The following fields are displayed for each line of the report Pump Number including sub hose number for MPDs Average unit price Accumulated sales total for the period Accumulated volume total for the period Frequency number of sales for the period that constitute the above accumulate

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