The franchise-specific fluid dispenser daemon integrates the monitoring system of a fluid dispenser into Autoline. Normal operation of the dispensing equipment is tracked and displayed in the Point-of-Sale module, where it is used to ensure correct billing of customers and to minimise losses.
The fluid dispenser software continuously exchanges information with Autoline. It does this via an open KClient session running the dispenser daemon on the same computer as the dispenser software.
The dispenser software validates the PIN and passes information back to the daemon. It may validate the entered WIP number against WIP numbers held on the Autoline system. Workshop technicians do not need to log in to Autoline.
This activity generates a log of dispenser transactions. When a WIP is loaded in Point-of-Sale, Autoline checks the log automatically and any fluid transactions matching the WIP number are displayed in a list for service personnel to add to the WIP as a part line.
All transactions are recorded in an archive file (specified in DMS archive dir., which you can access via the Fluid Dispenser Parameters editor). The archive file is created every time the dispenser daemon is started.
The fluid management system exports the following information to Autoline:
When it is set up, the dedicated computer running the fluid dispenser software and the dispenser daemon (a continually running KClient session) should not require attending to in normal operation.
No set up is required for users with the correct priority level to view and action fluid transactions in Point-of-Sale while logged into any normal computer terminal.
To make the daemon start automatically when the client computer is turned on, create a shortcut on the desk top that automatically logs in to Autoline and starts the daemon. This saves you from having to remember to start the daemon. For example the shortcut could be based on the following:
C:\...?...\kclient.exe -u "<user> NOSYSINFO=TRUE" -X <password> -h <host> -C "MS [Fluid dispenser franchise mnemonic and name] Dispenser_daemon"
Note: Where the same fluid dispenser handles transactions for more than one Point-of-Sale company, you must start daemon sessions running for each.
You can also start the daemon manually.
This form is displayed when you select the Setup and tools option from the second Operations menu. It enables you to link product names in the fluid dispenser controller with Autoline stock numbers, check daemon activity, create and modify fluid dispenser parameters for selected Point-of-Sale companies, and generate empty fluid transaction records for every open WIP record to make those WIPs valid.
| Menu bar | Action |
|---|---|
| File > Parameters... | Enables you to set up the parameters affecting the interface between the fluid dispenser and Autoline |
| File > Part mappings... | Enables you to link product names in the fluid dispenser controller with Autoline stock numbers |
| File > Exit | Returns you to the second Operations menu |
| Tools > Check daemons... | Displays a Check Daemons form containing a text box detailing daemon activity |
| Tools > Generate empty transactions... | Enables you to generate empty fluid transaction records for every open WIP record, making those WIPs valid. When you create or enable a new parameter record, you must click the Generate button on the Generate Empty Transactions form that this command displays. This is because you cannot add a fluid dispenser transaction to a WIP record unless the fluid transaction log contains at least one transaction with that WIP number. |
| Help > Help overview | Displays this help page in a web browser |
| Help > About... | Displays version and copyright information |