How to Choose a Crane OCR Supplier: 8 Questions to Ask
Crane OCR systems look alike on a brochure, yet results on a real quay can differ widely. The right questions help a terminal compare suppliers on what matters: how reads are tested, how the system fits the crane and the TOS, and who supports it afterwards. This guide gives eight questions to put to every supplier before you decide.
Key takeaways
- Ask for accuracy to be tested on your own cranes and containers.
- Check how the system connects to your TOS and crane PLC.
- Understand who installs, supports and updates the system.
- Compare total cost over several years, not only the price of the hardware.
Questions about performance and fit
- How is accuracy measured? Ask for a trial on your cranes and compare reads with real container numbers.
- How does it cope with night, rain and glare? Ask what lighting and camera setup is used.
- What is read? Container ID, ISO code, seals, door direction and damage views are not always included.
- How are exceptions handled? Check the screen, the workflow and how fast a user can correct a read.
Questions about integration, service and cost
- How does it connect to the TOS and the crane PLC? See crane OCR integration with the TOS.
- Who installs and commissions it? Ask for the plan, downtime needed and acceptance tests.
- What support is offered? Check response times, spares, updates and training.
- What is the total cost over five years? Include hardware, licences, installation, support and upgrades.
A simple way to compare suppliers
| Area | What to check |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | Trial results on your cranes |
| Integration | Interfaces to TOS and PLC |
| Installation | Plan, downtime, acceptance tests |
| Support | Response times, spares, training |
| Cost | Five-year total, not only price |
Before you sign
Visit a working site if you can, ask to speak to another terminal and agree acceptance criteria in the contract. For a view of what the system should deliver, read crane OCR features, benefits and applications.
Talking to Suraj Informatics about crane OCR
Suraj Informatics offers crane OCR systems with survey, installation, integration and support, and can run a trial on your cranes so you can compare results first.
Choosing a crane OCR supplier: common questions
What matters most when choosing crane OCR?
Accuracy on your own cranes, integration with your TOS, installation planning and long-term support.
Can we trial the system first?
Many suppliers can run a trial on a crane. Ask for one and compare the reads with real numbers.
Is the cheapest option the best?
Not necessarily. Compare the five-year cost including support and upgrades.
What should the contract include?
Acceptance criteria, support terms, response times and the scope of integration.
Talk to our crane OCR team
Tell us about your cranes and current checking process, and we will suggest the right OCR setup.
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