OEM&Lieferant Ausgabe 2/2020

92 IT and Automotive Standing Still is Not an Option Consistent Diagnostics in After-Sales Service By Julian Erber, Product Manager at Softing Automotive Electronics GmbH Global after-sales service networks are available for vehicles and working machinery. The aim is to reduce expensive downtimes and even longer-term failures and thus lower the total cost of ownership (TCO). The focus is on offering highly dynamic, efficient maintenance and repair services. This places special demands on tester availability and secure data exchange. To ensure this, a consistent diagnostic concept and the use of a powerful repair shop tester are essential. Diagnostic Requirements in After-Sales Service When it comes to maintenance, it is import- ant to process service plans efficiently or to replace parts in good time. In the event of a repair, mechanics or service technicians on site have to locate the fault as quickly as pos- sible, decide how to eliminate it and carry out the repair, and ultimately verify the success of their actions. The most important diag- nostic functions for such tasks include: Vehi- cle identification, error memory operations, parameterization/coding, ECU exchange and programming. Depending on the error symptoms, different diagnostic approaches – ECU-, symptom- or function-based – should be possible. The actual repair is performed using instructions with supporting graph- ics, videos or web content. The contents are usually not static: New series and ECU variants therefore require regular updates. A powerful backend is essential for updat- ing software and diagnostic content. Access rights must also be managed as not every user is allowed to perform all functions. So the challenge is to provide repair shops worldwide with ECU- and problem-specific repair procedures in their own language in a timely manner, taking security aspects into account. Maximum Efficiency through Dedicated Workflow The Softing TDX toolbox meets the require- ments of after-sales service and enables the independent creation and maintenance of a diagnostic tester in all phases of the DESIGN – MANAGE – WORK workflow. The DESIGN component Softing TDX.studio helps users to realize new operating concepts for the ser- vice tester. The user interface can be freely designed until a proprietary corporate design has been completely implemented. In an intu- itive development environment, underlying processes, whether guided troubleshooting or pure testing, are designed and additional information, such as repair instructions, ex- ploded drawings and websites, is integrated. This is also where languages are defined. Re- ports are also generated and adapted. MAN- AGE is taken care of by the administrator tool Softing TDX.admin, with which roles and user rights can be specified. Program and project functions are activated and managed us- er-specifically via a central database. In addi- tion, role keys and certificates are distributed and maintained automatically. Updates of the software and diagnostic content are also con- trolled here. WORK unites all advantages in one repair shop tool, Softing TDX.workshop. It offers mechanics and service technicians op- timal support from guided troubleshooting to ECU exchange/update. In line with the defined roles, only authorized persons can access spe- cific project and program functions. The tool offers automated updates as a special feature. Encryption ensures that content is always pro- tected from unauthorized access. Softing TDX offers efficient tool support for the implementation of a consistent diagnostic concept in after-sales service. The focus is on fast, targeted maintenance and repair in or- der to reduce costs while increasing availabil- ity and customer satisfaction and ultimately protecting investments for years to come. Softing TDX https://t1p.de/81jl Websites Softing Automotive Electronics GmbH https://t1p.de/o93z Graphik: © Softing Automotive Electronics GmbH S H A R E