Service Information: Region DVD And Retail Data Storage - SI00.01-D-0044SG

Model All (Light transporter) 

Dear Sir or Madam,

Through the introduction of new model series for Mercedes-Benz Vans, the amount of data required to update control unit software and digital operator manuals, now exceeds the memory available on the diagnostic devices and the shipped XENTRY updates (routine delivery).

To ensure that you will still be able to update the control unit software, the data now have to be distributed online or through the use of individual data storage media (DVDs). You will be familiar already with this process through the update process for COMAND control units or the digital operator manuals ("Regio-DVDs"). Current and future XENTRY releases mean that more and more control units will require such data storage media carriers.

As an alternative to the routine shipment, you can - if you have the appropriate authorization from your local national representative - download the required software from the XENTRY Portal at "Diagnosis & Telematics → XENTRY Update Service → Downloads for diagnosis update" onto a USB flash drive that matches the size of the given file(s), and then use this instead of the DVD as the data source for your diagnostic device.

We would advise  you to purchase some Retail Data Storage  if you have not already done so. This in turn means that the data storage medium does not need to be used, as the Retail Data Storage automatically downloads new software and makes it available online to the diagnostic device.

We would also like to remind you that as from 10/2019 updates will no longer be shipped on Blu-Rays and DVDs!  As from 10/2019, data will only made available online through the XENTRY Update Service with Retail Data Storage. Further information is available in the attached market information bulletin.

Market information bulletin 

Previously, the updates for the vehicle diagnosis system and the control unit software were shipped per Blu-ray and DVD. As from 10/2019, this channel will be shut down  and the data then distributed online only  through the XENTRY Update Service with Retail Data Storage.

During the course of the past few years, the amount of data storage media has grown massively, in particular, because of the increasing data volumes required for control unit software. This trend will set its way forth. For technical, logistical and environmental protection reasons, the media will no longer be able to be supplied:

Growing data volumes 

• Already, service technicians in companies that do not have access to Retail Data Storage, have to expend a great deal of effort in locating and inserting individual data storage media carriers.
• In the long term, this is no longer reasonable: Theoretically, by 2020, every company shall require, in comparison to 2016, roughly 5 times the amount of data storage media carriers, in other words, instead of approx. 80 data storage media carriers in 2016, the figure would be approx. 400 in 2020!

Individual data is too large 

• Individual control unit software is bigger than 8 GB and therefore it can no longer fit onto a DVD.
• For technical reasons, the control unit software cannot be split up onto several data storage media carriers, it always has to be available in "one piece".
• At the same time, the total volume is increasing for control unit programming ("flashing"), i.e. for each flash procedure, several data storage media carriers must be changed (multiple individual files).
• For example, the next S-Class will no longer be programmable without online data  , and this will be the case for future model series in all divisions.

Data topicality 

• For reasons of product safety, vehicles must always have the latest software release.
• The update frequency for data is on the rise, i.e. more updates are required than ever before.
• For logistical reasons, customs topics etc. data storage media can no longer be used for punctual provision (e.g. data storage media would be required on a weekly basis).

Environmental protection/sustainability 

• Daimler PLC is committed to environmental protection and sustainability. This also includes the reduction of production and the distribution of data storage media for physical channels.

March 2017 saw the introduction of the XENTRY Update Service, with which data can be distributed online through Retail Data Storage to the vehicle diagnosis systems. We have informed you on several occasions in the past about this and about the necessity of improving the company's Internet connection.

Procedure 

Please change as quickly as possible to online provision through Retail Data Storage and, if necessary, improve the Internet connection at your company. 

In Europe, Retail Data Storage has been incorporated into the retail standards. As from 19th February 2018  Retail Data Storage in Germany can be procured in a purchase model through the XENTRY Shop  (https://xentry-shop.mercedesbenz.com).

Further information on the XENTRY Update Service is available in the XENTRY Portal Mercedes-Benz http://xentryportal.mercedes-benz.com.

Advantages 

• Control unit software  can be loaded for both the XENTRY Diagnosis Kit 3 as well as for XENTRY Kit | Kit 2 directly up to the vehicle diagnosis system. 
• Low update effort required, as the administrative outlay for DVDs as well as manual processes through DVDs and drive are no longer required (e.g. with regard to searching for and inserting the data storage medium).
• In addition to this, diagnosis updates  in the new generation of diagnosis devices XENTRY Diagnosis Kit 3 are charged and installed completely in the background.  This leads to extremely small device downtimes and cuts back on personnel expenses, as nobody has to manually install and manage the software anymore.
• With regard to XENTRY Kit | Kit 2  , it can be configured in the XENTRY Update Service Control Center, so that these updates can also be downloaded through the Retail Data Storage. These can then be copied onto a USB flash drive then installed from there in the vehicle diagnosis system.
• Low order outlay because the Regio DVD and Digital Owner Manual orders and their distribution are no longer required.
• Higher level of data topicality  , because the diagnostic data can be accessed directly "over the air" and therefore there are no delivery/waiting times.
• Higher level of topicality stability  , because the online update concept means that read errors on the Blue-rays and DVDs have now been consigned to a thing of the past.
• Markets and retailers receive the vehicle diagnosis systems and the Retail Data Storage "from a single source" and through established processes.
• Support for the Retail Data Storage shipped in 2017, as well as for future Retail Data Storage shall be provided centrally through the Diagnosis User Help Desk.