The telematics provider TIS GmbH from Bocholt is now providing an extensive telematics interface with a free open source license under the address www.telematics-interface.com. The interface is a already in use by several manufacturers to ensure a trouble-free data flow between transport management and telematics systems.
The free offer is a concentrate of around 20 years of experience and development in software.
Interfaces describe necessary data fields with unique names, field lengths and properties. The uniform definition of data fields enables trouble-free data exchange between different applications. For example, the current vehicle positions can be transferred from a telematics system to the freight forwarder software and be displayed there on a map.
The use of a common interface saves software and system houses the costs for their own programming, which saves not only money but also time due to shorter project run times.
Professor Heinz-Leo Dudek from the Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University is convinced:
“An interface standard results in interoperability that ultimately benefits the entire logistics industry.”
If an interface definition, such as the now offered XML interface, would prevail as the standard, it would be “a major breakthrough for the entire telematics industry,” said Dudek.
The originator of the telematics interface, TIS GmbH, has specialized in mobile telematics solutions for storage and transport for more than 30 years.
“The industry-wide sharing of knowledge and experience is more important than ever to better meet the increasing demands of IT projects,” TIS Managing Director Markus Vinke is convinced.
In order to be able to use the telematics interface for your own software projects, only a registration on the website www.telematics-interface.com is necessary to accept the license conditions. At the same time it is possible, but not mandatory, to subscribe to the newsletter to be regularly informed about new versions of the interface.
TIS GmbH does not fear any competitive disadvantages through a joint interface development. And even Professor Dudek sees only benefits in the free tool.
It is entirely in the interest of all companies involved that the interface, which was supplemented by new data fields and definitions, will be returned to the platform so that the innovations could also become the standard. Whether this standard “will be defined in a standardization committee or de facto as a result from the multiple use of a meaningful proposal from within the ranks of market participants, ultimately plays no role,” said Dudek.
More information can be found at: www.telematics-interface.com
