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Data exchange with automatic calf feeder, farm PC and third-party software products
- 1: VCSynchronizer: base software for data synchronisation
- 1.1: Installation
- 1.2: Importing animals from the official national animal database
- 1.3: Export of birth notifications to national animal identification service
- 1.4: Maintenance and troubleshooting
- 2: Export of animal and measurement data to the farm management PC
- 3: Synchronisation with automatic calf feeder Alma Pro
- 3.1: One-time Activation and Configuration of the Device in the automatic feeder Settings
- 3.2: Data synchronisation between VitalControl and Alma Pro
- 4: Data linkage with management software DSP Herde Plus or Beef
1 - VCSynchronizer: base software for data synchronisation
VCSynchronizer version 0.9.12, released 2025-17-04
1.1 - Installation
Download the installation file for VC Synchronizer software.
NoteThe downloaded installer can be used for a new installation as well as for an updating an already existing VC-Synchronizer installation to a newer version. In both cases the installation process is identical.
Start the installation of the program by double-clicking the downloaded file
SetupVitalControlSynchronizer.exe.New installation only: a language selection window opens, leave the selection
Englishas is and clickOKto start the installation.
Click
Nexton the welcome screen of the installer. Then accept the given license terms.
In the screen for component selection, leave options unchanged and press
Next. On the next screen, leave the suggested destination folder unchanged and pressInstall.
Click
Nexton the screen that informs you about installation success. On the final screen, pressCompletewithout selecting any of the options offered`.
VCSynchronizersoftware is now installed on your computer.
1.2 - Importing animals from the official national animal database
1.3 - Export of birth notifications to national animal identification service
1.4 - Maintenance and troubleshooting
2 - Export of animal and measurement data to the farm management PC
Proceed as follows to export data from VitalControl to a mass storage device of your PC:
Connect VitalControl to PC
Connect the VitalControl device to your computer or laptop via the supplied USB cable.
Make sure your VitalControl device is turned on.
Perform data export
Press the Windows key to open the Start menu
Windows 11 only: Click the
All AppsbuttonIn the list of your installed applications, scroll down to the letter
U. There you should find a menu entryUrban VitalControl. If necessary, expand this entry so that all submenu entries are displayed.AttentionIf you cannot find the entry
Urban VitalControlin your applications list, you may have to install the softwareVCSynchronizeron your PC first.Click on the menu item
Data export (CVS).
The export process is started. Once data export is finished, an Explorer window opens which displays the local data directory with the four newly created export files.
NoteYou can open each of these four export files in a spreadsheet program of your choice (such as Microsoft Excel or OpenOffice Calc) and perform advanced analysis of the data there. As an example, the view of the table
animals.csvin a spreadsheet program is shown below:
3 - Synchronisation with automatic calf feeder Alma Pro
3.1 - One-time Activation and Configuration of the Device in the automatic feeder Settings
Requirements
We recommend using a firmware version 24-xx-xx or higher with the VitalControl device.
To check which firmware version is installed on your device:
- Navigate to the feeder’s home page by clicking the top
Homebutton ➀
in the navigation bar in the left-hand area of the screen. - On the home screen, click the
Helpbutton ➁
in the top-right area of the screen. - The version number ➂ is now displayed to the left of the language switch button.
If the firmware version of your feeder is lower than 24-xx-xx, there may be discrepancies between the screenshots below and the display on your touchscreen, so that you may not be able to follow the instructions. In this case, contact your service technician to update the firmware on your feeder.
Navigation to settings menu VitalControl
To activate and set up the VitalControl device, you must be logged in as the Site manager user role at the automatic feeder. Otherwise, some of the buttons shown and described below will not be visible to you.
Click on the bottom button
Settings➀ in the left sidebar of the touch terminal. If you are in the main menu where no sidebar is visible, press the button
Feederto display the sidebar.Click on the second button from the left
Touch terminal settings➁ in the bottom toolbar of the touch terminal.A series of menu items now appears on the left half of the central screen area. Click on the bottom button
Accessories.A menu item (or possibly several) now appears on the right half of the central screen area. Click on the top button
VitalControl. The button now switches to the left screen half.At the bottom of the right side of the screen, the button
Open settingsis now displayed. Click this button, and a popup window will open, displaying Page 1 of theVitalControlsettings menu.
The VitalControl settings menu is spread across two pages:
VitalControl Settings Menu - Page 1
Page 1 of the VitalControl settings menu is presented as follows:
On this page, you can perform the following actions and settings.
Activation of the VitalControl Device
In the default state of the machine, the VitalControl is deactivated. Set the NO/YES switch ➀ to the right position YES to activate the VitalControl device. Subsequently, in the right sidebar of the feeder menu, below the icon(s) for the connected machine(s), the icon 
for the VitalControl device will be displayed (see Screenshot Feeder Menu, figure ➁ there).
Synchronisation automatic feeder 🠲 VitalControl
On the left side of the screen, there are two checkboxes:
Checkbox Register new on VitalControl device ➁.
This option controls the behavior in the event that animals are present on the feeder during synchronisation that are not yet known to the VitalControl device. This option is enabled by default and should generally remain set. If you register your purchased animals by scanning their animal passports, this option must be disabled.
Enable this option:
- if you have a brand-new VitalControl in front of you, onto which you want to transfer all animals from a feeder. After synchronisation, all animals known to the feeder will also be present on the VitalControl.
- if you continuously bring new calves to the feeder during ongoing operations. These animals will then also be created on the VitalControl device during synchronisation.
Disable this option:
if you have newly created animals on your VitalControl by scanning their animal passports, where
these animals have not yet been assigned a transponder and
these animals are already being fed at the feeder and are therefore registered there.
Attention
If the option remains set in the above configuration, animals will be present twice on the VitalControl after synchronisation.
Checkbox Delete from VitalControl ➂
This option controls whether animals that are only present on the VitalControl but not on the feeder are deleted from the VitalControl during the next synchronisation. If you use the VitalControl only during the animals’ milk period, this option should be enabled. If you want to track the animals beyond the milk period, you must disable this option.
Enable this option:
- if you only collect data for the animals during the milk period,
- if you want the animals to be deleted from the VitalControl during the next synchronisation after they have been deleted from the feeder. This way, animals do not accumulate on the VitalControl over time.
Attention
If this option is activated and the checkbox ⑤ Register new on automatic feeder is also activated, no animals will be deleted that are younger than specified in the number field ➃ Do not delete animals younger than.Disable this option:
- if you want to continue collecting data for the animals after the milk period, for example, during a weighing,
- if you are willing to manually delete the animals from the VitalControl yourself.
Attention
If you disable this option, you must unlink the transponder for weaned animals on VitalControl device at the latest when the collar is removed from the weaned calf to another, younger calf. If the transponder is not removed, the data records of the younger animal -which is now wearing the former collar of the weaned animal- are incorrectly added to the weaned animals dataset.
Synchronisation VitalControl 🠲 Automatic Feeder
On the right side of the screen, there is a checkbox and two input fields:
- Checkbox Register new on automatic feeder ⑤
This option controls whether animals present on the VitalControl, which are unknown to the feeder, will be created on the feeder during the next synchronisation. By default, this option is not activated.
Deactivate this option or leave it deactivated:
- if you use your VitalControl device on multiple feeders simultaneously,
- if you bring your animals directly to the feeder without registering them via the VitalControl device first. Your animals will then be automatically created during registration when they are fed at the feeder for the first time.
Attention
If the VitalControl is used on multiple machines and this option is checked, animals will be unintentionally transferred from one machine to another during synchronisation.Activate this option:
- if the initial registration of their newborn animals with the VitalControl takes place before the first feeding at the feeder.
- if you record your purchased animals by scanning their animal passports on the VitalControl.
Attention
Activate this option only if you use the VitalControl on a single machine! If you want to perform synchronisation with multiple machines with this option set, you must use a separate VitalControl device for each machine.
Dropdown menu ⑥ Feeding curve assigned to imported animals.
In this drop-down menu, you can select the feed curve that is assigned to animals that are newly created on the feeder during synchronisation.
Numeric input field⑦ Do not import animals older than.
In this number field, you can specify the minimum age (in days) from which animals are newly created on the feeder during synchronisation. Animals that are younger than the specified minimum age are not created during synchronisation.
Press button ⑧ to switch to page 2 of the settings menu VitalControl.
Settings Menu VitalControl - Page 2
How to deal with data conflicts during synchronisation
Data conflicts can occur when synchronising the data between the feeder and VitalControl device. A data conflict occurs when the data contradict each other on the VitalControl device and on the feeder (e.g. concerning the Animal number ➁). On this page 2 of the settings menu, you can specify whether and if, how data conflicts are resolved during synchronisation. There are three options here:
Priority is given to the feeder data, data on the VitalControl device are overwritten with that of the feeder. Activate this option by selecting the radio button in the left-hand column below the feeder symbol ➃.
Priority is given to the VitalControl data, data on the feeder are overwritten with that of the VitalControl device. Activate this option by selecting the radio button in the left-hand column below the VitalControl ⑤.
No changes are made, both the feeder data and VitalControl device data remain unchanged.
Activate this option by selecting the radio button in the right-hand column ⑥.
After you have purchased a batch of calves, you register your purchased animals on the VitalControl by scanning all their animal passports. The animal numbers for these animals on the VitalControl are then – depending on the device settings – the last 3-5 digits of the animal's passport. You then place collars with Urban transponders on the newly purchased animals and feed them at the automatic feeder. During the initial visit to the station, the animals are registered using their transponder and newly created at the feeder. However, the animal numbers for these new animals on the feeder are derived from the transponder number or corresponds to the animal number stored for this transponder in the feeder. This means that a different animal number has now been assigned to the same animal on the VitalControl device and on the feeder, resulting in a data conflict. Using the radio buttons for the Animal number ➁, you can now specify in the settings menu which of the two parallel animal numbers has priority and which will be deleted during synchronization.
For internal reasons, changes can currently only be made to the Animal number ➁. In later firmware versions, you can also make changes to the Ear tag number ➀ and the Date of birth ➂.
By pressing the button ⑧ you will return to page 1 of the VitalControl settings menu.
3.2 - Data synchronisation between VitalControl and Alma Pro
To carry out synchronisation between the Alma Pro automatic feeder and the VitalControl device, proceed as follows:
Open USB port
Use a small screwdriver to loosen the locking screw on the flap of the USB port and fold it down:
Figure 1: Open USB port
Connect VitalControl
Switch on the VitalControl device by pressing the top centre
On/Offbutton
.Connect the USB-C socket of the VitalControl device using the USB cable supplied
with the USB-A socket of the touchscreen 
.
Figure 2: Connecting VitalControl to Alma Pro
Start synchronisation
In order to start the synchronisation of the VitalControl device, you must be logged on to the machine in the user role Site manager. Otherwise, the Synchronise button in the Synchronisation menu is disabled.
In the left side bar of the touch terminal, click the second button from the top
Feeder. If you are in the main menu where no sidebar is visible, press the button Feederto open the feeder menu.In the right sidebar of the touchscreen terminal, below the symbol(s) for the connected feeder(s), the symbol
for the VitalControldevice is now displayed. Click on this symbol.Attention
If the symbol for the VitalControl device in the right sidebar not displayed, the device is still deactivated in the settings. In this case, follow the instructions for one-time activation of the device.The synchronisation screen will now appear. Click on the button
Synchronisein the middle at the bottom to start synchronisation with the VitalControl device.
Figure 3: Synchronisation of VitalControl with Alma Pro automatic feeder Attention
If many animals need to be transferred, synchronisation can take some time. You can see the synchronisation progress on the display of the VitalControl device.
Figure 4: Synchronisation VitalControl Alma Pro, progress indicator
Close USB port
After successful synchronisation, unplug the USB cable from the USB port on the touchscreen. Fold the protective cover of the port back up and secure it by tightening the locking screw using a small screwdriver.
Figure 5: Close USB port again Note
Make sure to close the flap of the USB port after each synchronisation to prevent moisture from entering the port and to protect the port from the corrosive air present in your barn!
Figure 6: Mandatory closing of USB port
4 - Data linkage with management software DSP Herde Plus or Beef
4.1 - Setup of Technology VitalControl:
Prior to the first data exchange, the technology coupling to the VitalControl device must be created and set up once.
Before setting up the technology coupling, check whether the ‘VCSynchronizer’ software is installed on your PC; this software is mandatory for data exchange. To do so, open the Windows Start menu and search the in list of your applications in for an entry named ‘Urban VitalControl’ there. If you can’t find such an entry, install the VCSynchronizer software on your PC.
To set up the technology, proceed as follows:
Create new parameter set for data exchange with VitalControl device
Within the software
Herde, open theSettingswindow. Depending on the configuration of your user interface, you can open this window via the menu itemOrganizationin the main menu (top level item Settings), in the sidebar menu or in your customized toolbox (horizontal or vertical).
A pop-up window
Settingsopens, in whose left sidebar numerous setting categories are listed. Open the categoryService➊ and select the subcategoryTechnology➋.In the header of the right-hand main area, a dropdown now appears in which all defined technology parameter sets are listed. The number of set up technologies is shown to the right. Click on the button
Create new technology parameter set➌.
Another pop-up window opens. Enter
VitalControlas Name of the connection andUrban VitalControl (Gen 2)as Type of Technology and then click theAcceptbutton.
.The parameter set for technology
VitalControlis now created and must be configured in the next steps.
Configuration: Basic settings
Initially, the tab Basic settings is selected in the screen displayed, as shown in the figure below. Make adjustments there in the categories External program ➊, Animal data ➋, Locations ➌ and Leaving ➍ according to your farm-specific conditions.
.
Category External program ➊
In order to perform data exchange between VitalControl and Herde Plus, basic software VitalControl Synchronizer is needed as external helper program. For the correct function of this program, some adjustments have to be made in the category External program ➊.
Device name for data exchange:
By default this field is empty. However, it is recommended to enter the name of your computer here. To do so, press the icon
Arrow downat the right end of the drop-down field. Your computer name will now be determined and displayed for selection inside the drop down list. Once the field is filled with your computer name and this setting is stored, data exchange can only be triggered from your computer from now on.Execute in path: Please enter
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Urban\VitalControl\Synchronizerinto this input field. This is the absolute path to the programVitalControl Synchronizer(or more specifically to the filevcsynchronizer.exe). If the target directory for this program has been changed during the installation of the VCSynchronizer, please enter the selected target directory here.Program HerdePlus 🡒 Technology:
This input field needs to be filled with the valuevc_imp.bat. The correspondingly named batch file specifies the sequence of operations during data import.Technology 🡒 Program HerdePlus:
This input field needs to be filled with the valuevc_exp.bat. The correspondingly named batch file specifies the sequence of operations during data export.
Category Animal Data ➋
Further adjustments have to be made in the category ‘Animal data’ ➋ in order to get data exchange fully functional.
- Animal number:
This setting determines which ID animals receive for display on VitalControl device:- If you have assigned short IDs (
Barn no., 2 to 6 digits) to your animals, you should select the value ‘Barn number’ here: the displayed ID of an animal on the VitalControl will then correspond to the barn number assigned to the animal. - If you do not have assigned short ID numbers to your animals - this is common in the fattening sector, for example - then you should select the value
Tag no. (5 digits)here. The displayed ID of an animal on VitalControl device will then correspond to the last 5 digits of the ID printed on the yellow ear tag of the animal.
- If you have assigned short IDs (
- Transmitter no.:
This setting determines the number expected for an animal during RFID scan:- If you put a collar with a transponder on your animals or put an ear transponder on your animals -for example for identification at the automatic feeder-, you should select the value ‘Transponder’ here.
- If your animals or calves carry electronic ear tags encoded with the official national 15-digit identification number of your animal which will serve for the identification of the animal throughout its whole life, you should select the value ‘Tag no. (15 digits)` here.
- Minimum age for transfer:
If0is entered as value for this input field, all animals will be transferred to the VitalControl device, regardless of their age. A value greater than0defines the minimum age (in days) for the animals to be transferred. For example, if only cows are to be transferred to the device, a value of 600 days (= 20 months) must be entered here as the minimum age.
Category Locations ➌
Use this category to exclude animals at certain locations from data transfer to the device. To do so, remove the checkmark from the location(s) for which you do not want to transfer the animals housed there to the device.
Category Leaving ➍
Tick the ‘Leaving in HERDEplus’ option here. This way you specify that animals that left the herd are also deleted from VitalControl device during synchronisation.
Also tick the ‘Does not exist in stock’ option. This way you specify that animals on the VitalControl that are not known to Herde software are deleted from the VitalControl during synchronisation.
Configuration: Technology-specific settings
Next, click on the Technology-specific settings tab to determine the scope of the data exchange. It is recommended to check all check boxes listed there except for the checkbox Save import file after processing. The latter checkbox is meant for diagnostic purposes and should be selected only if demanded by service personnel.
Maximum age for transfer:
If0is entered here as the value, all animals will be transferred to the VitalControl device, regardless of their age. A value greater than0defines the maximum age (in days) for the animals to be transferred. If, for example, only calves are to be transferred to the device, a value of 90 days (= 3 months) must be entered here as the maximum age.
.
Save data exchange settings
Press the Save (F2) key after you have configured all configuration parameters appropriately. The parameter set for data exchange to VitalControl device is now saved and ready for use.
Perform a data exchange now to check whether the stipulated settings are valid so that you successfully can exchange data to and from VitalControl device.
4.2 - Data exchange between VitalControl and herd management software Herde
Follow the steps below to synchronize data between the software Herde and VitalControl device:
Connect VitalControl to PC
Connect the VitalControl device to your computer or laptop via the supplied USB cable.
Make sure your VitalControl device is turned on.
Perform data exchange
Within the software
Herde, perform a full data exchange. Depending on the configuration of your user interface, you can invoke this exchange via the menu itemFull data exchangein the main menu (top level item Technology), in the sidebar menu or in your customized toolbox (horizontal or vertical).
A pop-up opens, listing the stipulated technology couplings in the sidebar to the left. Click on the button labeled
VitalControlin order to start the data exchange:
On first time data exchange a warning appears, indicating that there are no animals registered on the VitalControl device yet. Acknowledge this notice with
Yes. Data exchange is started then.
Data exchange is a two-step process: In the first step ➊ the animal data are transferred from software
Herdeto the VitalControl. In the second step ➋, measurement data collected with the VitalControl are transferred into softwareHerde. The number of imported data sets (animals, calvings, alerts and weights) is listed in the pop-up:
Successful completion of data exchange is signalled via a pop-up with a success message.
AttentionIf many animals are registered on the VitalControl device, data exchange may take some time. The progress of the data transfer can be seen on the display of the device.