EasyTac downloader is suitable for all individuals and companies who wish to download, view and store their digital tachograph data. EasyTac downloader can be used with single vehicles or larger fleets to help comply with government legislation for digital tachographs. In the UK, digital tachographs are regulated by VOSA (www.digitaltachograph.gov.uk).

No, there is only the one time cost of the EasyTac downloader package.

Across Europe it is the legal obligation of the vehicle owner or the employer to periodically download, view and store all of their driver's card and vehicle unit (VU) activity data. In the UK you are required to download vehicle units every 56 days and driver's cards every 28 days. These times can vary in other countries.

There are typically 3 packages to choose from:

Software + Smartcard reader + VU download device – This provides you with everything you need to download, view and store data from drivers' cards and vehicles. This package is ideal for any person or company operating their own vehicle(s).

Software + Smartcard reader – This provides you with everything you need to download, view and store data from drivers' cards. This package is ideal for those with an existing VU download device or drivers who wish to check their own data.

Software only – With the appropriate hardware this package provides you with the ability to download, view and store data from drivers' cards and vehicles. This is ideal for those with an existing smartcard reader and VU download device.

Data must be written into a standard, tamper proof, file format as required by the digital tachograph legislation. Software such as EasyTac downloader communicates between the PC and the driver's card via a smartcard reader in order to do this. EasyTac downloader also provides the facility to create various reports, such as graphs and tables of activity to aid analysis.

No, there is no need to send data for analysis. EasyTac downloader carries out all of its reporting on your PC. At the time of downloading, you should check or print the reports showing the time spent on different activities, to ensure you are meeting working hours obligations. If you want further analysis of the information, files can be forwarded using a built-in email function.

EasyTac downloader includes a feature to back up all your driver and vehicle files to a specified location such as a CD, memory stick or shared network location.

As an alternative you can change the file download destination to a shared network location and use your existing server facilities to back up your files.

EasyTac downloader is very easy to install - simply insert the CD and follow the on-screen instructions. As well as an extensive user-guide, a printed quick-start guide is included within the package. Failing that our support team are here to help!

Yes, the latest version of EasyTac is able to read and understand data from Gen2/Annex 1C digital tachograph driver’s cards and vehicle download units.

With EasyTac downloader you are able to download an UNLIMITED number of drivers and vehicles.

A download from a driver's card typically takes between 30 and 60 seconds.

No – data cannot be removed from a driver's card, it can only be copied. This is to ensure that enforcement officers have access to your data when required. Drivers' cards have sufficient internal memory to store ample activity and diagnostic information. Once full, the tachograph unit simply overwrites the oldest data with new information.

EasyTac downloader is designed to work with all smartcard readers that comply with industry-standard PC/SC specifications. Please ensure your reader meets this minimum requirement.

VU download devices plug into the vehicle unit and copy the stored data from the digital tachograph ready for transfer to a PC.

Downloading all the VU data can take in excess of 45 minutes. This is mainly due to the amount of data stored on the device and the slow communications interface used. To avoid lengthy downloads, devices such as the Digidown have a button to download a shorter period of data, typically the last 92 days' worth, thus reducing the download time to under 25 minutes per vehicle.

You will need your company card in order to download your data from the vehicle.

Data is not removed from the vehicle unit so it is possible to perform as many downloads as required. The vehicle unit has sufficient internal memory to store ample activity and diagnostic information. Once full, the tachograph unit simply overwrites the oldest data with new information.

A typical VU download takes in excess of 45 minutes.

EasyTac downloader is compatible with ALL models of vehicle unit download devices including Digidown, TachoDrive, Siemens DownloadKey, DAKO and Optac download tool.

Yes. Each copy of EasyTac is licensed to run on one computer - to use EasyTac downloader on more than one computer you will need to buy additional copies of the software.

- PC running Windows 2K, XP, Vista or 7
- Screen resolution of 1024 x 768 or more
- PC/SC compliant smartcard reader

EasyTac downloader can also run on other platforms such as Mac OS X with suitable software (for example VMWare).

Yes – there are many ways to achieve this depending on how your system is set up. Please contact us for advice and assistance.

Yes, EasyTac downloader can read and store data in the background, letting you get on with something else on your PC. An automatic read mode means there is no intervention required from the PC user. Drivers can just insert their card, which is automatically read, and then remove it when the light stops flashing.

Yes - providing your previously downloaded files conform to the relevant EU standards then EasyTac downloader can import them. Common file extensions used include .ddd and .esm.

Vehicle data is protected using a company card. Company cards allow you to 'lock' data recorded in the vehicle unit (VU) to prevent downloading without possession of the authorised card(s).

For this reason all owners of vehicles fitted with digital tachographs are required to have a company card.

When running EasyTac downloader, click 'Check for Update' in the Help menu. A web page will be launched which allows you to see if a newer version is available for download.

Alternatively, by registering for support you can receive emails for new version releases!