Automatic Data Collection

Windsor Continental Automatic Data Collection (ADC) experts have industry experience in specification, integration, and implementation of ADC technologies at local and enterprise-wide operational levels.

Our strategic relationships with leading industry vendors and manufacturers gives us the power and flexibility to provide the most effective solution to any asset management scenario.

• ADC Method
  Automatic data collection (ADC) is the process of automating the entry and dissemination of computer-based information. An assortment of technologies provides this machine-based alternative to keyboard entry: barcodes, contact memory buttons, magnetic stripe cards, optical memory cards, radio frequency communication, and biometric recognition.
  
  The interpreted data is then passed through the data collection interface to the appropriate data management system where it can be stored and retrieved for status reporting of an asset as required by the process or user.
  
  
• Magnetic stripe
  Magnetic stripe technology employs magnetic material applied to a credit-card size piece of plastic as the data collection medium. Magnetic stripe technology is used in maintenance for time and attendance, procurement, and security access applications. When an employee identifier is encoded on a magnetic stripe card, it can be used to control and track access to unmanned storerooms and tool dispensing machines

• Smart Cards
  Smart cards employ the same technologies utilized by touch memory and RF/ID to store large amounts of data. Some smart cards require physical contact for read-write operations, others transmit or receive data in the same manner as RF/ID tags. Their potential uses in maintenance include purchasing control, security, and tool management. Their ability to retain data make them attractive for procurement activities by allowing work-order or accounting data to be captured as each purchase is made.

• Data Communications
  Radio frequency data communication is a term used by ADC vendors to describe a wireless local area network where radio-enabled, hand-held, or vehicle-mounted terminals communicate with a base station connected to a host computer system or network.
  
  Users can be directed to perform an action on an as-needed basis, and data can be verified against a host-system database as soon as it is scanned. These capabilities make it popular for warehouse management systems and for situations where maintenance personnel at job sites require instant access to a centralized database but physical cabling is impractical.
  
  Wireless wide-area network systems employ radio and cellular packet data communications services to connect mobile users to a central system. These solutions typically feature notebook computers and personal digital assistants equipped with wireless modems that communicate with the CMMS through the WAN service. They allow the remote user to interactively access work-order requests, update work orders, view project management procedures, and check part availability.