The Readers wirelessly communicate with VAC01 in order to send Usage and Status Records, and to receive Commands and Updates.
They do so via Zigbee Wireless Communication Technology.
Some key characteristics of Zigbee being;
it operates in the 2.4GHz Frequency band
it provides transmission distances of 10–100 meters (33–328 ft) Line-of-sight
its devices can transmit data over long distances by passing data through a mesh network of intermediate devices to reach more distant ones ~ i.e. other Readers
If you're seeing Reader issues, such as those described in the Articles;
Or if you are finding Readers Logs and Statuses to be regularly missing and/or not arriving in Logical Order, and you have determined that it is not the hardware that is at fault; then it is likely that Wireless Interference or Line-of-sight Obstruction may be the cause.
Wireless Interference
Wireless Network connectivity issues can be caused by wireless interference occurring on the same 2.4GHz Frequency band used by the Readers with Zigbee.
Typically this comes from strong Wifi Signals being broadcast in the local area.
This ZigBee and Wi-Fi Coexistence article goes over the concept.
First of all If possible, try to do the following;
try to keep local Wifi signals broadcasting on just the 5GHz Frequency band, rather than also using the 2.4GHz band
avoid having VAC01 or Card Readers in close proximity to WiFi emitters (it's best to get a least 5ft distance, or more, if possible
if you must have WiFi on 2.4GH band, try to keep it broadcasting on just a specific WiFi Channel (as opposed to an Auto setting which may bounce around to different WiFi channels without notice)
To combat wireless interference issues caused by competing WiFi networks in the area, as described in the ZigBee and Wi-Fi Coexistence article, we can try to adjust the Wireless Network channel that VAC01 is using for it's Zigbee network to avoid possible WiFi interference with Wifi signals being broadcasted in the area.
If we have an idea of what the strongest WiFi channels are in your area,
Laundroworks can change the Wireless Network (Zigbee) channel accordingly to not overlap with heavily populated WiFi channels.
In order to determine what channels the strongest local WiFi signals are being broadcasted on below are a few free App recommendations that you could use to scan for WiFi networks in the area of your store location.
Free WiFi Scanning Apps
When using any of the following apps, you will need to be at the store location:
Regardless of the App you decide to use, you'll be conducting a "WiFi Scan" of the 2.4Ghz band and notify Laundroworks of the results (sending a screenshots showing the full channel spectrum is best) so we can select the best Zigbee channel to use to avoid the busiest WiFi channels in your area.
Line-of-sight Obstruction
The Card Readers need a Line-of-sight to VAC01 in order to communicate wirelessly with it.
Either a direct Line-of-sight within a transmission distance to 10–100 meters (33–328 ft)
or a Line-of-sight to an Intermediate device, which itself has a Line-of-sight path to VAC01.
An example of an obstruction in the Line-of-sight would be thick Concrete walls.
Specialized Intermediate Readers are available from Laundroworks to act as signal boosters to aid in propagating signals between Readers, and ultimately VAC01, so long as Lines-of-sight may be established.
Where they cannot be established, it is recommended that a Location be split up into multiple sub-locations, each with its own dedicated VAC01, capable of providing a Line-of-sight path to the Readers they are to communicate with.