{"id":8966,"date":"2024-05-30T06:43:32","date_gmt":"2024-05-30T11:43:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/incust.com\/en\/?page_id=8966"},"modified":"2024-06-05T06:46:31","modified_gmt":"2024-06-05T11:46:31","slug":"carwash","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/incust.com\/en\/knowledgebase\/business-user-manual\/carwash\/","title":{"rendered":"Equipment Setup Guide for Car Washes or Other Vending Machines"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\">[vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/6&#8243;][vc_wp_custommenu nav_menu=&#8221;6&#8243; el_id=&#8221;1&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;4\/6&#8243;][mk_fancy_title font_family=&#8221;none&#8221;]\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Equipment, Wash Stations, or Other Vending Machines: Description of Key Features<\/span><\/h3>\n[\/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1717069192935{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}&#8221;]<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The inCust platform helps efficiently interact with customers and now, with the help of PLC*, it can connect various devices for dispensing and payment management. The platform&#8217;s tools are perfectly suited to automate processes such as starting a wash station, vacuum cleaner, or other self-service and vending devices.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Usage Scheme:<\/b><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The user scans a QR code and goes to the payment page in the mobile app, chat-bot, or web app.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">They pay using a bank card, customer account, or commercial accounts. They can also use bonuses or coupons.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The system sends pulses to the controller and refills the equipment&#8217;s balance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The customer receives their service or product by selecting it on your equipment (chooses the product code on your vending machine or selects the wash program: water, foam, vacuum, etc.).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>This scheme allows you to:<\/b><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Use not only cards but also other payment methods.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Collect a customer database and connect a loyalty program.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Use other marketing tools to promote your services and products, such as coupons, single and multi-level referral programs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Gather customer feedback.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>*Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2014 an electronic device used for automating technological processes, such as controlling conveyor lines, pumps at water stations, CNC machines, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This guide will help you start a self-service car wash business, using the inCust platform&#8217;s capabilities for efficient and automated process management.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The instructions and firmware for setting up the PLC can be found <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/drive\/folders\/1UARnaXk95DsL4bdjJi8AbRxbkbL69xye?usp=sharing\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1717069220431{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}&#8221;]\n<h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">1. Connecting Equipment to the Controller<\/span><\/h1>\n<p><b>Digital Input Connection<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The digital input of the end equipment is connected to a specific discrete output of the PLC using a galvanic isolation relay. The PLC supports the connection of up to 100 discrete outputs. During operation, the PLC sends pulses to this output, the number of which corresponds to the transaction amount in &#8220;conditional cents&#8221;.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Monitoring Operational Status<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If it is necessary to monitor the operational status of the end equipment (availability for customer transactions), the output of the end equipment (or any other &#8220;dry contact&#8221; type scheme) must be connected to a specific discrete input of the PLC. The end equipment should transmit its status to the discrete input: available &#8211; signal present, unavailable &#8211; signal absent. The PLC supports the connection of up to 100 discrete inputs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Optional Monitoring<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Monitoring the operational status of the end equipment is not mandatory but provides the advantage of informing the customer during the transaction process about the availability and readiness of the selected equipment for correct operation.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1717069251854{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}&#8221;]\n<h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2. Mapping of PLC Discrete Outputs and Inputs<\/span><\/h1>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2.1 Mapping Outputs to Registers<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The connection of end equipment (such as a car wash slot) is made to the discrete outputs of the PLC controller, with the possibility of connecting up to 100 outputs, for which pulse registers from 0 to 99 are reserved.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The pulse register number is uniquely identified by the number of the discrete output of the PLC controller, with an offset value of 0.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Therefore, the required number of &#8220;credits&#8221; (each &#8220;credit&#8221; is 1 pulse) is written into the pulse register corresponding to the discrete output of the PLC controller to which the end equipment is connected.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>2.2 Verified (Confirmed) Record in the Register<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To verify (confirm) the record in the pulse registers, their values are copied every 5 milliseconds to verification registers. Registers from 100 to 199 are reserved for verification.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Verification registers have a fixed offset relative to the write registers, equal to 100.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Any value mistakenly written into the verification registers will be overwritten by the value from the pulse register, meaning the verification registers operate in read-only mode.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>2.3 Feedback from End Equipment<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To check the availability and functioning of the PLC controller, a heartbeat function is used \u2013 a second-by-second increment from 1 to 1000 in a designated register.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Register number 500 is reserved for the heartbeat function.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For controlling the end equipment connected to the PLC controller, a feedback function from the end equipment is used, which is implemented by connecting the equipment to the corresponding discrete input of the PLC controller.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The end equipment transmits its status (available or not) to the discrete input.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Registers from 200 to 299 are reserved for feedback from the end equipment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The feedback register number is uniquely identified by the number of the discrete input of the PLC controller, with an offset value of 200.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In turn, the number of the discrete input of the PLC controller to which the end equipment is connected must correspond to (equal) the number of the discrete output of the PLC controller to which the same equipment is connected.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1717069282926{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}&#8221;]\n<h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">3. Checking the Operational Status of the PLC<\/span><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To verify the availability and functionality of the PLC controller, a heartbeat function is used. This involves a second-by-second increment from 1 to 1000 in register number 500.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1717069304735{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}&#8221;]\n<h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">4. Managing the PLC<\/span><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In the Business Panel, there is an option to add an unlimited number of PLCs for any terminal by specifying the following parameters:<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Name (mandatory)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">IP address (mandatory)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Port (mandatory)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Enabled\/Disabled (active) (mandatory)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For each PLC, after it has been added and enabled, the following parameters become available:<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">PLC operational status: connected and available, not connected and unavailable<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Date and time of the last connection attempt to the PLC<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Date and time of the last successful connection to the PLC<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1717069375375{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}&#8221;]\n<h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">5. Managing End Equipment<\/span><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In the Business Panel, for any PLC, it is possible to add up to 100 units of end equipment by specifying the following parameters:<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Name (mandatory)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Discrete output number of the PLC (0-99) used by the equipment (mandatory)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ability to monitor operational status, yes\/no (mandatory)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Discrete input number of the PLC (0-99) used by the equipment to indicate operational status (mandatory only if the ability to monitor operational status is specified)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Enabled\/Disabled (active) (mandatory)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For each unit of end equipment, after it has been added and enabled, the following parameters become available:<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Unique deep-link, whose QR code should be placed next to the end equipment and will be used by the customer in the mobile application<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Operational status of the end equipment: available for customer service or not available.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;8967&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221; onclick=&#8221;img_link_large&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1717069403230{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}&#8221;]<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">After saving the entered data, a new <\/span><b>&#8220;Equipment&#8221;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> tab is created for you. Add the equipment that you previously connected to the controller. To start the equipment in the inCust Terminal, you need to create a product, for example, &#8220;Top up Car Wash&#8221; Then, in the terminal settings, specify which specific product will start and replenish your equipment.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;8968&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221; onclick=&#8221;img_link_large&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/6&#8243;][vc_wp_custommenu nav_menu=&#8221;6&#8243; el_id=&#8221;1&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;4\/6&#8243;][mk_fancy_title font_family=&#8221;none&#8221;] Equipment, Wash Stations, or Other Vending Machines: Description of Key Features [\/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1717069192935{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}&#8221;]The inCust platform helps efficiently interact with customers and now, with the help of PLC*, it can connect various devices for dispensing and payment management. The platform&#8217;s tools are perfectly suited to automate processes such [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":0,"parent":1056,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/incust.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8966"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/incust.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/incust.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/incust.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/incust.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8966"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/incust.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8966\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8978,"href":"https:\/\/incust.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8966\/revisions\/8978"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/incust.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1056"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/incust.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8966"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}