Introduction - White Icon Background

White icons are a feature that was introduced by Pinnacle to our Asset Map interface after feed back from customers allocators. When making time critical decision on a turnaround the allocators requested to have an indication if a vehicle’s position may be compromised. For example, by damage to an antenna, flat battery on a vehicle, or a fault. 


On the Asset Map interface of the iMATS system, each asset is represented by a small round icon.  The icon shows were the asset is but also contains several pieces of information.  Letters in the icon are an abbreviation showing what category the asset has been assigned to. In a box underneath the icon is the asset or fleet number. Finally, the colour of the icon indicates the current status of the asset.


In this example we can see a Loading Vehicle (LDG) with a fleet number of CA5400 is at the head of Stand 535.  The colour green indicates it is available for use.



There are six colours used to indicate asset status


The colours used and their meanings are as follows:

  1. Green icons indicate the engine / contact is off; the vehicle is not in use and is available.
  2. Orange icons mean the engine / contact is on; the vehicle is in use and is unavailable.
  3. Yellow icons indicate that the vehicle is currently charging (Electric Tractors Only).
  4. Grey icons mean that the vehicle has been out of communication for more than 5 minutes – this is usually due to the vehicle being in a weak GSM area e.g. tunnels or under-terminal areas. Grey icons only appear on vehicles which are currently working (Orange).
  5. White icons indicate an unconfirmed position – this means that the vehicle has not sent a valid position message for over 24 hours, and iMATS cannot guarantee the current location.
  6. Red icons mean the vehicle is in maintenance/out of service.


The Benefits of the White Icon 

A common misconception is the white icon indicates a fault or failure in the tracking system and because of this mistake many telematics companies choose to hide or mask trackers that have not reported a location or leave it until no location has been received for three or four days.  This avoids the confusion but provides an inferior service as it casts doubt in the mind of the user on the accuracy of the location of all the icons.  By showing an icon as white it gives users the confidence that the other icons are reporting correctly and that the icons that are white may not provide an accurate location.


To put this into a practical situation an allocator who is expecting a flight will check the asset map to ensure the necessary GSE is available at the allocated stand.  Without the white icon it may be assumed the required GSE is in place.  It is only when someone goes to use the GSE is it discovered the asset is not available and there is insufficient GSE to service the flight.  Therefore, without the extra knowledge the white icon provides the operation will experience delays and forever doubt the accuracy of the system.  With the white icon suitable steps can be taken in good time to ensure the operation does not experience any GSE related delays.


Causes of the White Icons 

As stated above the White Icon is often mistaken for an indication that the telematics device has failed.  This is indeed one of the reasons but there are many other more common reasons for an asset to have a white icon.  All the reasons below will cause an icon to show white:

  • The vehicle/asset battery may be flat.
  • The emergency stop button may have been activated.
  • The battery may have been disconnected.
  • Something has caused the trackers fuse to blow.
  • The antenna may be damaged.
  • The SIM card may be damaged or deactivated.
  • The telematics device may have developed a fault.


Summary

The white icon indicates an updated position has not been received for over 24 hours and the location of the asset on the asset map cannot not be guaranteed. White Icons can be suppressed as many telematics companies do, but this undermines the accuracy and functionality of the service.  White Icons do not necessarily equate to faults but do provide an additional level of information that gives users an increased confidence in the system and the assurance the information being presented can be relied upon.