CR Photos

Methods of adding photos to vehicles in ASI

With as little as a digital camera and your computer you can add photos to vehicles in ASI.
CRInput and FotoFuze allow for a few versatile methods of adding photos. Depending on your hardware and facility, options include tablet PCs, laptops, desktops, web cams and digital cameras. If you do not require a full CR there are simple, quick methods of adding photos without data entry.

Hardware options - any combination works!

	Digital Camera	Integrated Camera	Webcam	Tablet	Laptop	Desktop	Barcode Scanner
CRInput	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
CRInput Live Pics	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
FotoFuze	X	X	X	X	X	X	X

Software options

	Wireless	Wired	Disconnected	Drag and Drop
CRInput	X	X	X	X
CRInput Live Pics	X	X	X	X
FotoFuze	X	X		X

CR entry with photo and data edits

By using a tablet with integrated camera the CR writer can simply snap a picture and it automatically connects to the line item on the CR. Depending on your hardware this function might be triggered by a hardware button, or by some button in the manufacturers’ camera control software.

The same type function can be done using a tethered USB webcam. You may want to use Velcro tape to stick the camera to the back of your tablet.

Similarly you can use the combination of your digital camera with an SD card from Eye-Fi to wirelessly transfer pictures to the detail line as you take them. This memory card with wireless technology works with existing digital cameras that take SD memory. Two methods can work:

For the cheaper Eye-Fi card you will need your own wireless network with a strong signal. You typically need a strong wireless network covering your lot, or work beside or within your building where a medium-cost wireless network is available.

For the “Pro” version, currently priced around $150, you can setup an Ad-Hoc network which means the camera can talk directly to the tablet, and no external wireless network is required. You may work at remote places on your lot with this method. Note, you the tablet will have to connect with your ASI network at the appropriate time to synchronize.

Drag and drop of pictures can be performed in the CRInput Details screen. From a desktop computer you can browse a camera memory card or folder of pictures. Simply drop the picture on the line item.

Quick photo entry with CRInput including photo captions

The quickest method with the best picture quality would require a wireless network, the Eye-Fi Pro card and a Windows computer of your choice. A likely setup would be to place this in one of your lanes with the computer or laptop at the side where you have a strong wireless signal or a hard wire Ethernet drop. Use the “Live Pics” function in CRInput to pull up a stock number. This may be typed in on the keyboard, or by using a Bluetooth barcode scanner just simply zap the stock label on the car as it drives up. The CRInput Live Pics can read out loud the basic vehicle so you can verify it is on the correct vehicle. It can then read to you the first picture it is looking for. Take your picture with your Eye-Fi enabled camera. This photo is transferred and attached within 3 to 5 seconds. At that point the photo is completed and integrated into ASI. No other work is required. At the end of the 3 to 5 seconds the program will automatically roll to the next photo slot available and read aloud that line item. Basically snap, snap, snap your photos and your done. These naming scheme for these photos will be preset at your request. Typically you will name the first few, such as “Front Left” and “Rear right” and “Interior”, and any pictures past that will be named “Extra”. When the next car drives up, just zap the stock number and take your pictures. This method can be quick enough to direct traffic through.

The CRInput Live Pics screen can also be used with a tablet and integrated or USB camera.

The CRInput Live Pics screen can also be used with a desktop and the drag and drop method.

The above functions can also be performed while not connected to the network, and regardless of vehicle login.

Quick photo entry with FotoFuze - no edits

FotoFuze allows you to use your digital camera and a desktop computer. No tablet or wireless network required. Similar to CRInput Live Pics, it uses the preset naming scheme to number and name the pictures.

The most efficient use is to take the initial picture of the barcoded stock label. Using macro mode, take a clean, crisp close-up of the barcode with stock number visible. Then follow this with the order of pictures you have preset. Any extra photos will be named “Extra”. You can take these sets of photos for multiple cars and process them all at once. Depending on your barcode picture quality you may want to keep your picture set under a count of 100. Next, either put the memory card in your computer or copy them to a folder on the computer. Open FotoFuze and check that the path points to your camera pictures folder. Click Process, double check the list for correctness, and then click Upload to complete the job. If you find mistakes or mis-numbered lines in the list, just highlight it and use the correct and/or remove functions as necessary.

You can skip the barcode picture, but by doing that you will have to use the “correct” function to put the stock number on the “Front Left” of each picture set. Subsequent pictures under “Front Left” will be named by your preset scheme.