Airdrive is the name of the GSM Commander's GPRS platform.
To start off with, we have launched the first entry-level part of the offering, called "Airdrive Lite".
This allows you to remotely configure GSM Commanders in the field.
Imagine never again having to drive out to a remote site to change a device's configuration!
We will soon be able to retrieve setups from units in the field in addition to the current ability to upload a setup to a remote GSM Commander.
This service is priced at R180 per year, and (as an introductory offer) the first year is included in the price of a GC0641 and GC1281, or in the price of an upgrade from a GC0321 to GC0641.
Simply put, the GSM Commander connects wirelessly through GPRS to a server.
This server is a computer located at an Internet Service Provider (ISP) running our own web server program.
Airdrive enabled GSM Commanders connect to this program, which controls communication between the GSM Commander and the server.
Data received from the GSM Commander is stored in a database.
Our Airdrive website displays the data in this database in a customizable, user friendly environment and allows control of the remote device.
What else can it do?
We are currently testing Airdrive Full which implements advanced features.
The current featureset includes status logging, event logging and Remote Output Control.
We can make this available to you at no charge, for BETA testing.
Once we launch it as a fully fledged service, we will start charging for the service.
Expected cost is around R50 per month / device.
Status Logging
The ability to send a complete status log to the server at scheduled intervals (typically 5 -30 minutes).
Each status log contains the complete status of the entire unit, including:
Inputs/outputs
Firmware version
Battery voltage / power status
Current time
Current Airtime
Temperatures, analog reading
Variables
On the website, you are able to view these logs, rename the various parameters of interest, and export datasets in CSV format.
Periodic status logging statements are of the form: "IF 10 minutes have elapsed, THEN send complete status message to server"
However, you can also define statements to implemement event driven logging.
For example: "IF Input 1 Becomes Active, THEN send complete status message to server"
Event Logging
In addition to status updates, it may be necessary to upload event-driven messages to the server.
Each event (message) can be assigned a specific priority which assists you in grouping events on the server side.
Event examples could include entry / exit events when implementing access control, such as:
"The number 08423342 has opened the gate at 20:45, 13/5/2011" - Priority 5
Or alarm events, such as:
"Perimeter beam tripped at 03:45, 11/5/2011 " - Priority 10
The events are configured as just another message.
Instead of sending it via SMS or via Serial port, you are now just sending it to the server.
Remote Output control
This allows you to remotely activate / deactivate outputs from the web front-end.
Electronic access
As a separate service, called Airdrive SQL we can set up a customer-specific MySQL database that contains all the events and status logs.
Using this, your system can access the raw data which can be used in your own back-office systems, custom front-end or what-have-you.
What does the future hold?
We are planning advanced features on the front-end (web interface).
This includes advanced email reporting, advanced site management interfaces / incident management interfaces. (Handy for control-room situations)
We are also considering server-side event generation (such as "SMS me if one of my units stop reporting"), and also device-to-device messages via GPRS.
Above all, we strive to keep our offering as generic as possible, never catering to one market exclusively.
The idea is for heavily-customized solutions to use the MySQL database as datasource, with a dedicated web interface front-end.
Such applications can be developed by (or for) the customer.
