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Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do you get inch-accurate tracking?
2. Is IPS Technology™ reliable enough for a 24/7 environment?
3. What are the benefits of using Sky-Trax STS?
4. Will Sky-Trax work outdoors?
5. What are the cost factors?
6. What about operating costs?
7. What is involved with installation?
8. Will Sky-Trax integrate to the business systems I already have?
9. Can Sky-Trax STS track the height or shelf level of inventory as well as X-Y and orientation angle?
10. Does Sky-Trax STS operate in the dark?
11. Can Sky-Trax STS be used to track assets other than lift trucks?
12. How is Sky-Trax STS supported?
13. What is the company's history?
14. Do you have a Distributor program?
15. Do you have Sky-Trax STS installed anywhere?
1. How do you get inch-accurate tracking?
Sky-Trax STS (patent pending) uses digital image processing and machine vision technology to accurately determine the position of an object on which a OPS™ sensor is attached. OPS™ smart sensors typically are positioned to capture digital images of the ceiling of a building, and programmed to look for and recognize Sky-Trax location markers installed overhead at ceiling level. Each marker contains a unique code, which identifies a position, and each position is mapped to the specific floor area beneath the marker. Machine vision software determines the exact position of the sensor relative to the marker overhead, providing location accuracy to the pixel level in the digital image. In real world Sky-Trax applications, pixel-level position data is translated to inch-accuracy on the floor.
2. Is STS technology reliable enough for a 24/7 environment?
Yes, the digital image processing technology used by Sky-Trax has been proven in industrial and military applications for over 20 years. The Sky-Trax STS technology is similar to related applications for robot and missile guidance systems. Real time industrial machine vision systems are in standard use throughout industry to automate critical product inspection and high speed package sortation tasks. As the cost of the technology decreased while capabilities soared, Sky-Trax recognized and developed a method to apply this technology for inch-accurate indoor positional data collection. The STS technology is very intuitive - it works just like our own vision. Unlike tracking systems based on radio frequency (RF) technologies, such as RFID, Sky-Trax STS is deterministic and quantitative.
3. What are the benefits of using Sky-Trax STS?
Sky-Trax IPS technology™ can dramatically improve the operating efficiency and inventory accuracy of any warehouse or distribution facility. With inch-accurate indoor tracking, Sky-Trax STS will enable the next generation of supply chain management applications, including Fleet Management, Skan-Free™ inventory tracking, Smart Safety and Security Systems, Automated Routing Optimization, and Vehicle Guidance. We estimate the ROI for any one of these applications at significantly less that a year.
4. Will Sky-Trax work outdoors?
Yes. If there is a practical way to hang position markers overhead the OPS™ will have no problems operating outdoors in most weather conditions. This will be feasible for outdoor loading docks and small storage yards.
5. What are the cost factors?
The cost of an STS installation is calculated from the number of OPS™ sensors required, site-specific factors such as building dimensions, and customer preferences such as the choice of , desired STS system features, and system integration. Engineering issues affecting the cost include square footage of storage space to be mapped, the working height of the warehouse, types of vehicles, and details of the existing systems, if any, with which STS is to be integrated.
6. What about operating costs?
The Sky-Trax IPS Technology™ is designed to be "install it and forget it" and has very low operating costs; --especially when compared to RFID and radio wave technologies. There are no consumables (like tags or labels) no periodic re-calibration or system maintenance required, and no army of skilled technicians needed to keep it running. If a OPS™ smart sensor is damaged in use, replacement is quick, easy, and relatively inexpensive.
7. What is involved with installation?
The Sky-Trax STS system components include a OPS™ which is easily mounted on any vehicle that can supply DC power in the 12-to-72 volt range. Installation requires mounting the OPS™ sensor to the vehicle, and connecting the units to the vehicle's power supply. (Sky-Trax can also supply self-contained battery-powered OPS™ sensors for use where power is not taken directly from the tracked object).
Sky-Trax overhead position markers are installed above the working area, typically beneath ceiling beams. Installation can be done using simple tools and common warehouse equipment, and can normally be accomplished without disrupting current operations.
The Sky-Trax STS system will integrate into existing commercial wireless networks for data collection through our STS Controller.
8. Will Sky-Trax integrate to the business systems I already have?
Yes, all Sky-Trax products are designed for easy integration into Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Warehouse Management (WMS), Manufacturing Execution (MES), Materials Management (MMS), and Inventory Control (IC) systems.
9. Can Sky-Trax STS track the height or shelf level of inventory as well as X-Y and orientation angle?
Yes. Sky-Trax Inc. can provide a lift height sensor that can be integrated with the system; this lift height capability is also available with the Skan-Free System.
10. Does Sky-Trax STS operate in the dark?
Yes. The OPS™ is capable of operating reliably in dark and unlighted facilities. Sky-Trax STS can also trigger location specific lighting commands useful within very large environments.
11. Can Sky-Trax STS be used to track assets other than lift trucks?
Yes. Anything that can carry a OPS™ (hand jack, overhead crane, cart, AGV, mobile equipment, etc.) can benefit from the inch-accurate indoor tracking capability. For some applications, it makes sense to turn the STS architecture upside down. The OPS™ sensors can be mounted overhead in a fixed position looking down at the floor, and identifying markers for OPS™ recognition can be placed on the mobile items being tracked.
12. How is Sky-Trax STS supported?
After installation, complete system training is offered to operators, supervisors and management personnel. Documentation is provided with each product, along with an Operator Manual, Quick-Start Guide, and detailed installation drawings if applicable. Sky-Trax proprietary software is constructed using commercial industry-standards based software products... Standard STS warrantee is for a period of 12 months. After which Maintenance and Support is offered for a reasonable yearly fee.
13. What is the company's history?
Sky-Trax was formed by the founders in 2004 specifically to commercialize the patent-pending Sky-Trax technology following a year of incubator development. The company seeks to provide innovative solutions to the long-standing problem of locating and tracking materials in factories, offices, and warehouses. Initial products include the Sky-Marx™ System, which replaces standard floor labeling solutions and places labels overhead where they can be easily read or scanned; the Sky-Trax STS, a fully automated position determination device; and several integrated systems based upon the Sky-Marx™ and Sky-Trax IPS Technology™. The founders and principals of Sky-Trax are former senior members of the DuPont Auto-ID Resource Team (DART) and bring over 45 years of real-world experience in industrial R&D, automatic data collection, manufacturing execution systems, materials and warehouse management systems, software development, systems integration, and project management.
14. Do you have a Distributor program?
We welcome discussions with companies that are interested in becoming distributors, VAR's, and Integrators who have complementary products or services, and sell into the industries targeted by the Sky-Trax product line. Please contact our sales staff about opportunities for becoming an early partner with Sky-Trax Inc.
15. Do you have Sky-Trax STS installed anywhere?
Currently we have a Sky-Trax STS tracking and safety system installed at Lehigh Career and Technical Institute (LCTI) in Lehigh Valley, PA. LCTI welcomes Sky-Trax visitors and we would be happy to setup a visit to LCTI at your convenience to see Sky-Trax STS in operation. Sky-Trax has installed STS at two separate locations of major US 3PL.