BACK TO INDEX PRODUCT SUPPORT CONTACT US WHAT’S NEW When a fork truck driver enters a battery room to get a replacement battery or truck, how does he know which one to take? Without guidance, he will take the most convenient one. Over time, this leads to uneven usage of batteries, with expensive consequences such as diminished capacity, uneven wear and tear, and premature battery failure. Other assets are wasted because the less convenient batteries or trucks go unused. The iBOS system eliminates these battery room problems by determining precisely which battery is next in line and correct for the truck driver to pick. It organizes the battery-changing operation, in real time, to ensure that all batteries are used in strict rotation, preventing battery abuse and its related problems down the road. iBOS also offers optional reporting functions which allow managers to analyze the efficiency of sites, making it possible to optimize an organization’s assets. There are two different versions of iBOS (please click on a product type for more information): iBOS basic (not currently available in the Americas): battery room management - for smaller applications (up to 31 chargers) where trucks are sharing a single pool of batteries iBOS pro: battery room management, and desktop asset management reporting functions- for larger applications (from 32 up to an unlimited number of chargers) with multiple pools of batteries HOW DOES iBOS WORK? iBOS collects charger data through highly specialized electronic monitors called Sentinels. The Sentinels send this information to a central brain called a Controller. The Controller processes the data, and sends it to a display which informs the forklift operator specifically which battery to take. Depending on the application, the display can be a scrolling LED screen, an audio “shouter” or a flat touch screen. The battery room activity data collected by the Controller can be analyzed a variety of useful ways in Pro version, which condenses the data into usable information, or reports. 1. IBOS BASIC Please note that this product is not currently available in the Americas. Battery rotation is just as important to small fleets as it is to big fleets, but in the past, management systems for small operations have been prohibitively expensive and too time consuming to install. The iBOS Basic has been specially designed to bring market-leading battery room management technology enjoyed by big applications to those smaller operations with up to 31 chargers. The iBOS Basic system provides two main functions: Battery room management: Each iBOS Basic system can manage up to 31 chargers of the same pool of batteries or trucks. The iBOS Basic Controller features a bright backlit touch screen display, which clearly indicates to an operator which battery they should take next. If the operator takes the wrong battery, a built-in alarm will sound.  Basic analysis tools: By touching the Controller’s screen, the operator can reveal information including the number of batteries presently available in the queue, the battery availability over the previous 24 hours, the number of batteries selected, and the percentage of miss-picks. The iBOS basic system fits all types of chargers (see the list of features and benefits for more details), and can be installed quickly and easily. It is comprised of plug-in components which require no tools for installation, and is about as easy as connecting a DVD player to a TV. 2. ibos pro IBOS Pro is designed for larger applications and has both the practical function of battery room management and the advanced function of asset management analysis and reporting. Battery room management: At this level, iBOS Pro is directly helpful to the manager of a distribution center, or other facility that uses industrial batteries on a heavy duty schedule, by monitoring the charging cycles of every participating charger and indicating on a large scrolling display precisely which battery the truck operator should take next. This display is usually located near the entrance to the battery room. It eliminates operator confusion and enforces a strong discipline. If the operator ignores the instruction, an optional loudspeaker called a “Shouter” sounds an alert to say that there has been a miss-pick. In English, the directions on a scrolling display would say something like this: “TAKE BATTERY 24” ; however, the system can be programmed in any language, as can the Shouter. In the event there are no batteries available for the truck driver, this information is also clearly presented on the display, so the driver will not have to waste time checking chargers. In depth analysis reports: iBOS Pro provides cutting edge analysis tools for corporate asset management, efficiency monitoring and problem diagnosis. It has an easy to use management-information capability which is particularly valuable for leasing companies, for companies with multiple sites, for companies operating during peak periods of seasonal activities, and indeed for any medium to large facility with a hectic schedule. iBOS Pro collects an enormous amount of data from the chargers. But, since most managers do not have the time to analyze raw data, iBOS reduces the data to remarkably compact executive summary reports. The main reports are the Diagnosis Report and the Efficiency Report. With the help of these reports, management can quickly determine: Whether you have an optimal number of batteries on your site (not too many, not too few). Whether charging equipment is working properly. Whether the staff are using equipment properly (by following the directions of the iBOS system). IBOS Pro has an option whereby the information in these reports can be viewed online in real time on any computer with an internet connection. This allows large organizations to manager their assets anywhere in the world from a desktop. iBOS FEATURES & BENEFITS Instructs operator which is the 'correct' battery to pick: Eliminates operator judgment by clearly displaying the exact location of the battery which has been cooling the longest after charge. Promotes longer battery life through uniform usage: By sequencing the batteries in the order they finish charging, iBOS helps ensure that each battery in the fleet is evenly used, leading to longer battery life and reducing battery life cycle cost. Identifies faulty equipment: iBOS Diagnostic Reports identify any charger that has not been used recently. An unused charger usually indicates faulty equipment. Reduces miss-picks: iBOS can immediately sound an alarm when an operator takes a battery which is not the next battery in the queue (called a “miss-pick”). Out of sequence picks are also recorded. Works with virtually any charger: The Sentinels’ patented circuitry and algorithms allow them to work with virtually any charger, including new high-frequency types. Unlike some complex and expensive network systems that will only work with brand new, specially equipped chargers, the iBOS Sentinels can be retrofitted to old, existing chargers without requiring special modifications. iBOS can also be used in a facility where there are different types and makes of chargers. Helps decide if there are too many or too few batteries (Pro version): iBOS Efficiency Reports record each the time the facility runs out of batteries; also each time when there are too many batteries standing idle. This also helps reduce facility downtime. iBOS™ Reporting (Pro version): the iBOS Efficiency and Diagnostic Reports enable practical analysis of assets. Remote monitoring option (Pro version): iBOS can be equipped with a remote monitoring option that allows the responsible manager to check battery assets anywhere in the world, from any computer that has an internet connection. No special software is needed. Installation that suits your application: iBOS can be installed anywhere worldwide. The Sentinel can be installed on any charger and can be programmed for any battery voltage.  iBOS basic is user-installable and has been designed for “plug and play” installation by someone with basic electrician skills. iBOS Pro in most cases requires skilled installation and is installed for you by our trained staff.