ELKA Integrates Digital Yearly Timer Into the EJOIN IoT Portal

The new yearly timer function in the EJOIN IoT portal enables operators to turn individual or recurring access control tasks into predefined, automated processes. Instead of manually adjusting connected devices when opening hours, working days or operating processes change, users can prepare these scenarios in advance. Actions are stored centrally in the EJOIN IoT portal and executed automatically, from weekly schedules and individual dates to public holiday rules and more complex time-controlled operating processes. This reduces the need for recurring manual work.

Automation can be applied to individual devices or at a site-wide level. For example, a barrier at a warehouse entrance can follow a different schedule to a barrier controlling an employee car park at the same location. At the same time, rules can be defined for an entire site, which is particularly useful for public holidays when several connected devices should follow the same operating scenario.

Schedules are configured directly in the EJOIN IoT portal. Users define the execution day and time, select the the rule’s scope and determine whether it should be repeated. Actions can be assigned to selected weekdays or a fixed date. Depending on the device, these can include standard opening, closing and stop commands as well as commands via the multi-relay outputs.

Configure Complex Time-Controlled Access Processes

Scheduled commands can also be used to prepare for different operating phases throughout the day. For example, Multi-relay outputs can be activated or released automatically at predefined times, which allows additional connected components or functions to be incorporated into a scheduled access scenario.

A company entrance could follow one operating scenario during the morning arrival period and automatically switch to another once regular business hours begin. Another scheduled command in the evening can return the installation to its after-hours configuration. Instead of manually changing individual settings multiple times a day, transitions between operating phases can be scheduled in advance.

The same principle can be applied to counting processes. The available commands include resetting the vehicle counter, which can also be scheduled using the yearly timer function. For example, an operator could automatically reset a counter at the beginning of every day or week to create clearly defined counting periods. When combined with the counting and control functions of the connected installation, scheduled actions can therefore automate not only individual commands, but also recurring operating processes.

Holiday Exceptions

Users can specify for each rule whether it should continue as usual, be pause, or only be executed on public holidays. Holiday calendars can be maintained directly in the portal or prepared as a CSV file. The required structure is deliberately simple: two columns containing the date and name of the holiday. Therefore, entries can be quickly adjusted, added or removed in a standard spreadsheet before the file is uploaded to EJOIN. Once imported, the calendar can be used as a basis for automated behavior across integrated devices and locations.

Review Automated Actions

An execution log provides additional transparency by documenting automated commands and indicating whether they were successfully sent or not. Entries can be filtered by location, device, yearly timer task, or status. This makes it easy to verify that scheduled commands have been sent as intended.

The yearly timer currently supports the ELKA EntryTower as well as ELKA barriers that are connected to the EJOIN IoT portal.

About ELKA

ELKA-Torantriebe is a German manufacturer of high-quality barrier systems, robust traffic bollards, high-performance gate drive technology and suitable accessories for modern access control solutions located in Tönning at the North Sea.

Over 45 years of experience, personal customer service, professional order processing and adherence to delivery dates make ELKA a reliable partner.