R-Connect Online Portal
R-Connect telematics module and remote diagnostics as standard equipment
The ROPA Maus 6 is connected to the myROPA portal as standard via powerful telematics hardware and SIM card. The telematics module is thus the basis for proactive Service 4.0, particularly for predictive analytics and fast assistance and diagnostics on any continent. If service work is required, the service technician can link directly to the terminal and the machine controller to assist the driver with resolving the problem.
The R-Connect dashboard shows the current status of the machines and the daily output. The location, road travel along and current loading progress of the machines can be seen in the individual view along with detailed data. For machines with weighing device, weighed loads are transmitted individually, including the associated machine data, to the R-Connect portal, where they can be viewed, evaluated and downloaded by the machine schedulers.
R-Connect offers drivers and schedulers numerous options for machine and fleet optimisation Now, the scheduler can be present virtually "live" on the machine with the help of online facilities. A diesel supplier, for example, can also be granted access to the current location of the machine and the fuel level as well as AdBlue level. The ROPA R-Connect online portal can be opened via a web browser on any device (PC, tablet, smartphone).
R-Connect online service
Remote diagnostics, help and maintenance
Now the online service is focused on the further development of the R-Connect online portal.
If a driver needs an assistance in case of service, the R-Connect online service can be used to provide a remote support. In the future, the downtime can be reduced thanks to the new functions of predictive maintenance (predictive service).
(Watch the video with Tiger 6S)
Since 2018, the first ROPA beet harvesters and loaders have been sending their data to a cloud - the latest models (Tiger 6S, Panther 2S and Maus 6) have this function as standard. The machines forward almost all sensor data to German servers. Collecting these data provides a wide range of possibilities from tracking and order processing to service support. More about practical use of the portal read on page 108.
Originally, ROPA focused on the connection to the farmpilot management software (Profi 2/2018), but today the goals are different. Due to a wide variety of platforms within the cultivation, logistics and harvesting chain, both locally and globally, ROPA is now promoting an independent system: without an agrirouter on a direct route to the cloud.
"The XML standard is not sufficient for our requirements," explains Michael Gruber, head of sugar beet technology branch. "We need a simple and especially stable system. All components that are not a permanent part of the machine are too vulnerable to failure, as the experience of the past shows," he explains and adds: "From the power supply unit of the tablet PC with the wired or wireless connection to the manual data transfer, there were always some problems." For these reasons, the manufacturer is now trying to integrate all modules in the machine terminal and in the own online portal. While, for example, fleet management and transfer of created beet places is not yet possible at the moment, the groundwork has been done. As Gruber says: "We are at a point when all relevant data are recorded."
GOOD TO KNOW
- In particular, facilitation of service work and order data is in focus
- The groundwork has been established, further development steps will follow
- The online platform R-Connect was expanded to include the administration level myRopa
Basis: myRopa.com
Initially, the developers introduced the R-Connect portal, but there is now also a second, higher-level platform 'myropa.de'. This portal is intended for the machine owners. All customer-specific data are stored here. For example, vehicle identification numbers, specific equipment features and software versions of all electronic components. It may seem a bit impractical at first glance, however helps immensely, e.g. for service work.
One of the newest functions of myRopa is the order and customer management. The data can be imported as a CSV file and are available on the connected machines. It can also be used to establish a driver's access and, in the future, to order spare parts. This platform can also be used to communicate with service technicians. In addition, supplementary documents, maintenance notes and history, e.g. on replaced spare parts, are stored for each machine. A digital machine record should be established in future, containing all repair and service work for a particular machine. Upon request, the portal also provides service instructions, e.g. for oil change.
COULD FOR THE SUGAR BEET - THE ONLINE PORTALS MYROPA AND R-CONNECT
In 2018, the Profi magazine first published a report on R-Connect. While creating the portal, the programmers have learned new things, dropped useless features and developed new visions. Here is an update.
Here you can download the Profi report as a pdf file: Cloud für die Rübe - Onlineportale myRopa und R-Connect.pdf
We are happy to provide you with the professional article as a pdf download:Beet in the Cloud - MyRopa and R-Connect.pdf