NEC Australia
Solution overview
Mobile Access Controller
Mobile
Workforce
Reliable voice and data
coverage for field workers.
Designed specifically for vehicle fleets, the Mobile Access Controller (MAC) solution provides a highly configurable mobile communications platform that enables organisations to cost effectively extend voice and IT systems using private and public networks, beyond the office environment to field workers in remote, rural or urban environments. No new network build out is required.
The MAC is a productivity and workforce management tool enabling businesses to track and manage assets, monitors personnel safety and facilitates workflow and service delivery functions to their customers.
Developed in Australia, the solution provides a single flexible, reliable and adaptable communication platform that facilitates multiple communications channels (voice radio, 3G, LTE, Wi-Fi, satellite) when other systems become redundant or out of range.
Overview
Mission critical communications
Whether it’s for job dispatch and work orders, navigation, access to head office computer networks and databases or emergency/duress situations for OH&S, the need to stay connected and in touch is paramount to enable field staff to work efficiently and safely.
The power of multiple radios
The MAC eliminates the problems associated with relying on a single network solution by providing multiple wireless communications options for voice and data connectivity. The MAC can provide access via UHF Radio, VHF Radio, Satellite, Cellular and Wi-Fi through a standard user interface. This high-availability connectivity ensures that your mobile workforce are contactable whenever any of these networks are available.
Hardened network connectivity also enhances your worker’s safety as it means that emergency messaging capabilities are proactively managed across multiple paths, across a wider area than any single network.
Least cost routing
Configurable business rules allow you to determine which radio networks are to be used depending on availability and the particular region you are in, enabling you to manage costs.
Vehicle repeater
The MAC provides local repeater functionality and extends the platform functionality to hand held radios up to 3.5km’s from the vehicle. This ensures that users are contactable in areas where they would otherwise not have radio coverage.
The in-vehicle repeater will support multiple users. This means that users can communicate with each other up to distances of 7km’s apart.
The MAC also provides Wi-Fi coverage around the vehicle to give workers data access outside the vehicle.
The MAC provides data capabilities including 3G/4G cellular high speed data and Wireless LAN (WLAN) connectivity, within cellular and/or WLAN coverage areas. This allows you to deploy field force applications and advanced vehicle applications.
Occupational Health & Safety
The MAC provides opportunities for enhanced Operational Health & Safety (OH&S), utilising its high availability connectivity capability.
Network bridging
Implementing the MAC gateway enables transparent
connection of users on different radio networks when they are not in areas of common radio coverage. This happens without the workers needing to determine which radio network should be used.
One user interface
The optional intelligent 7” (17.8cm) touch-screen provides a simple, intuitive and common interface for field staff. The screen is the interface for all the radios and provides access to:
•
Standard vehicle navigation functions using built-in maps•
Web browser•
Voice control and MAC management functions•
Duress buttonAutomatic Vehicle Location (AVL)
The MAC is able to report the precise location of the vehicle, using the systems built-in GPS, to a central Management Centre. Operators can see a graphical view of their fleet and track a particular vehicle.This information can also be stored and forwarded at a later time, for a complete location trace even outside of any communication coverage areas. Dead-reckoning is available if travelling into zero satellite coverage areas, such as canyons and tunnels, to help fill in trace gaps.
This information can then be used for job dispatch, knowing where to send assistance for a duress call and to monitor driver
Duress
When a duress alarm is raised the MAC will broadcast the alarm, the worker identity and location, over each of the available radio links. The duress can be raised by:
•
Pushing the duress button on the user interface in the vehicle.•
Pushing the duress button on the hand-held portable radio.•
Pushing the duress button next to the user interface.Man down
Using the “man down” sensor on the hand-held portable device, the MAC will report back to the Management Centre when the hand-held has been horizontal (lying down) for more than a predetermined period of time.
Prior to raising an alarm, the hand-held device will beep to alert the worker that it is about to raise an alarm. If no action is taken by the worker an alarm is raised. The MAC will broadcast the alarm, the worker’s identity and location, over each of the available radio links.
Remote field worker safety
is critical.
Field force automation
Data connectivity enables you to extend your field force applications out to the vehicle. This can be done using your existing field force devices and having them connect back to your internal systems via the MAC.
Alternatively:
•
NEC can configure the MAC to work with your field force applications.•
The field force can use the web browser capability of the MAC to access applications on the web.Where a worker is in the field by themselves the MAC will, based on a predetermined time period, send an alert to the worker. If the worker does not cancel the alert confirming their safety, the MAC will raise a duress alert passing the worker identity and location, over each of the available radio links to the Management Centre.
Lone worker
In-vehicle announcements
To avoid the dangers of reading messages while driving the MAC supports text-to-speech capability for in-vehicle announcement of incoming messages.
Productivity
Reliable connectivity means that you can improve worker productivity in the field. You no longer have to wait for a field worker to return to base or to return to your private radio network coverage to be able to communicate with them. This means that you can communicate with them anywhere and provide necessary information to your field workers to maximise their productivity.
Telemetry
A number of analogue and digital inputs are provided by the MAC, which allows you to easily monitor and report on vehicle data. This data can be directly monitored or fed into other applications to assist with fleet and driver management. Data collection can be configured to meet your business requirements.
Multiple devices
Within the vehicle the MAC will support multiple devices. Data devices can be connected via Wireless LAN or using wired interfaces such as 10/100 Ethernet.
Job dispatch
Automatic Vehicle Location means that (within the
Costs
The MAC has been designed to provide the best connectivity while minimising your costs.
Protects existing investments
The MAC allow you to protect your existing investments by integrating into your existing radio communications, reducing your deployment costs and extending the life of your existing investment.
Remote configuration
A sophisticated browser based system allows changes to be down loaded to the MAC over the air, which avoids the need to take vehicles off the road with the associated loss in productivity and costly depot visits.
Least cost routing
The MAC supports configurable business rules to help reduce communications costs. These allow you to determine which radio networks are to be used depending on availability, expense and the particular region you are in, enabling you to manage costs.
Expandable
The MAC has been designed with a modular chassis to allow it to be easily expanded. This allows radio modules to be rapidly added.
Reduced training requirements
The optional intelligent 7” (17.8cm) touch-screen provides a simple, intuitive and common interface for field staff. The screen is the interface for all the radios and has been designed so that it does not change as radios are added or upgraded. This means that workers do not need to be trained in how to use new equipment, simplifying and reducing the cost of implementing new radios.
Improved fleet contact, safety,
efficiency and reduced cost.
Additional features & benefits
Enhanced power management
Power management is important as it ensures that there is sufficient charge in the battery to start the vehicle. The power management features in the MAC monitor the battery charge and progressively manages the vehicle state, and switches off radios and components to minimise the power drain.
Remote system status
The MAC Management Centre has the ability to remotely monitor the status of the vehicle as well as the on board communication platform and external equipment (e.g. GPIO and sensors).
Highly configurable
The core functionality of the MAC is to provide connectivity via one of many radio options. The system can be expanded and configured to meet a variety of business, environmental or application needs.
Management Centre
The Management Centre for the MAC provides central control, configuration and reporting for all the MAC’s deployed in your fleet of vehicles.
Mobile Access Controller - Overview
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www.necam.com
Asia Pacific (AP) NEC Asia Pacific
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Europe (EMEA) NEC Enterprise Solutions
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About NEC Australia. NEC Australia is a leading technology company, delivering a complete portfolio of ICT solutions and services to large enterprise, small business and government organisations. We deliver innovative solutions to help customers gain greater business value from their technology investments.
NEC Australia specialises in information and communications technology solutions and services in multi-vendor environments. Solutions and services include: IT applications and solutions development, unified communications, complex communications solutions, network solutions, display solutions, identity management, research and development services, systems integration and professional, technical and managed services. Mobile Access Controller - Overview brochure | v.09.09.14
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