Volkswagen Launches New Offboard Diagnostic Information System for Vehicle Diagnosis
Software enables more reliable and efficient error detection and service processes.
Wolfsburg/Frankfurt am Main, 11 September 2012 - Volkswagen introduced the new “Offboard Diagnostic Information System Service” at service operator sites around the world at the start of this year. Some 14.000 partners the world over now use the system as part of their everyday operations. The program provides much better and more efficient support for service employees, for example through the integrated display of repair information and through online updates. Moreover, the new system has accelerated diagnostics operations by some 15 per cent against the time requirements associated with the old, soon to become entirely obsolete, diagnosis tester.
The new system was developed in response to the increasing complexity of electronic systems as featured in new vehicle models, and its benefits are manifold. For one thing, the diagnosis software can now be incorporated into the Volkswagen IT landscape. That linkup with Group systems optimises flow in the service core process. Application areas for the Offboard Diagnosis Information System’s tool chain include technical development, production and after sales, i.e., all phases of the product lifecycle. While the “Engineering” tool is chiefly used for the development and integration of vehicle electronics and for operations in production, the “Creator” is the programming tool for so-called guided error detection. The solution for customer service operations is “Offboard Diagnostic Information System Service”.
Because diagnosis is automatically initiated as soon as the tester is plugged in, a good deal of vehicle information is immediately read out. Using its internet connection, the new diagnosis system will then supply (within a matter of only seconds) all the latest vehicle data, information on any scheduled campaigns or promotions, as well as all essential reference material such as repair guidelines and technical product specifications. In future, communication with the control devices used in vehicle repair will transpire concurrently (multilink setup), making it much faster and far more efficient than has been the case to date. The results of the diagnosis are transmitted to Volkswagen’s IT systems. They will support quality assurance efforts and will go into future vehicle developments. New functions for the optimisation of work processes enable, among other things, diagnosis results to be saved to any desired location and even additions to those records to be made at a later data, once a replacement part has been received, for example.
One of the exceptional merits of the new system is its compatibility with existing equipment at the workshops. The software may be installed on any currently supported testing equipment, affording partner operators the greatest possible degree of investment security. And most of the tried-and-proven “guided error detection” programs have been converted, so that they remain employable in connection with the new diagnosis system. Rather than receiving updates on DVD, as is presently the case, system software and operating data will be automatically updated online in future. This cuts back on administrative requirements at the workshops and ensures regular updates to operating data.
The Offboard Diagnostic Information System will be employed throughout the Volkswagen Group by its various brands. It will contain data for
Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Audi, SEAT, Škoda, Bentley and Lamborghini vehicles. The pilot phase commenced in July 2011 at operator sites in selected markets. The global rollout was launched in November last year and completed this July. The solution for independent market participants also went online with market introduction of the Audi A3 this August.
