Service Information
Offboard Diagnostic Information System Service (ODIS Service)

Number: VOS-13-09

Subject: ODIS Service Update Version 1.2.0 – New Features
Overview

Date: May 20, 2013

1.0 – Introduction
This document contains overview information on some of the new and revised features installed with
ODIS Service Version 1.2.0.
Instructions for new or revised configuration steps are included where applicable.
Review the Contents list below and refer to the applicable Section / Page for details.

ATTENTION!
Please distribute this information to all service personnel accordingly!
2.0 – Contents
Feature

Section / Page:

Online Updates

3.1 – pg. 2

Self Diagnosis/OBD

3.2 – pg. 4

E-mail Outbox Configuration

3.3 – pg. 5

Brand Design

3.4 – pg. 6

Diagnostic Logs

3.5 – pg. 6

Camera Icon (screen capture)

3.6 – pg. 7

Connection Test

3.7 – pg. 7

a

Note:
Always refer to the ODIS Service user resources for detailed instructions on all functions:
• ODIS Service Users Manual. Go to: Start > Programs (All Programs) > Offboard Diagnostic
Information System Service > Manuals
• ODIS Service Online Help: From the ODIS Service main window, expand the Help operating
mode subcategory, and then click

Continued …2/
Page 1 of 7

ver1.5

© 2013 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
3.0 – New & Revised Features Overview
3.1 – Online Updates
Online updates are possible with version 1.2.0. When configured accordingly, ODIS Service can
automatically perform daily update searches in the background. Update searches take place whenever the
application is started or shut down, or at the end of a diagnostic session (depending on when the last
search was made).
The update process takes place in two phases: 1. Update download. 2. Update installation. The
following sections contain overview information on configuring updates and performing the update process.
3.1.1 – Update Configuration Window & Recommended Settings
The automatic update background downloads and update cycle settings can be configured via the
Update category selection.
1. From the ODIS Service main/start window, select the Admin operating mode.
2. From the General tab, select the Update category. The default settings are displayed:

We recommend the following update configuration settings:
•

In the Download subcategory, Loading in the background is checked by default. We recommend
this remain checked:

•

Select On specific weekdays:

Page 2 of 7
© 2013 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
Continued …3/

•

Select all the days of the week (and weekends if applicable):

•

Save the configuration settings: Click Save / Yes: To revert back to the default settings, click Reset:

3.1.2 – Manual Update Searches
Manual update searches are possible prior to starting diagnostic sessions:
1. From the Operating mode category, expand the Extras subcategory. Click the
Update button to search for available updates:
Notes:
• If a diagnostic session is in progress, the Update button is disabled.
• Clicking the update button initiates up-front update search prompts, that
require user interaction (i.e. not in the background).
• If an update download is in progress, and ODIS Service is shut down, the
update resumes automatically when ODIS Service is restarted.
Page 3 of 7
© 2013 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
3.1.3 – Update Download Status – Displayed Symbols
Various symbols in the status bar indicate update download and installation status:

Update download in progress. If desired, click on the symbol to pause the download.
Update download is interrupted. Click on the symbol to resume the download. Conditions
and restrictions apply. Ref. Section 3.1.4 Notes below.
An update download is completed, or the time frame for an update search is exceeded.
Mouse over the symbol for details or click the symbol to start the installation process

3.1.4 – Update Download Conditions and Restrictions
Notes:
• The diagnostic device must have an active connection to the dealership network, and have the
proper Mirrorserver2 URL present in Admin > Connections in order to download updates.
• The diagnostic sessions saved in a previous version are incompatible with updated versions! All
incomplete sessions must be completed prior to downloading and installing updates!
• If a background update download is in progress and a diagnostic session is started, the update
download is interrupted. When the diagnostic session is finished, click the download symbol to
resume the download.

3.2 – Self Diagnosis/OBD
The Self Diagnosis/OBD function can be launched independently of GFF. This enables immediate
entrance to self diagnosis/OBD functions without having to wait until the GFF module scan is complete.
Unlike GFF, the user must interpret Self diagnosis/OBD results. However, launching a self diagnosis
session is beneficial when:
•

No GFF tests exist for a specific vehicle (very old or very new model)

•

No GFF test exists for a specific vehicle system

The creation and management of diagnostic logs from self diagnosis/OBD sessions is also possible (ref.
Section 3.6 – pg. 7).
1. With a connection between a vehicle Data Link Connector (DLC) (ignition on) and diagnostic device
established (diagnostic cable or VAS 5054A), start ODIS Service.

Continued …5/

Page 4 of 7
© 2013 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
2. From the ODIS Service main/start window, select the Self Diagnosis
operating mode:

3. From the Self Diagnosis Welcome screen, select
Start self diagnosis to initiate a module scan and
enable self diagnosis/OBD functions:

3.3 – Email Outbox Configuration
A new E-mail outbox server configuration option enables client-based email applications such as
Outlook, Mail, Thunderbird etc. to be used automatically. Client-based email applications are typically
installed on PCs and laptops using a program disc or online download.
1. From the ODIS Service main/start window, select the Admin operating mode.
2. Select the Support tab and E-mail outbox server category:
3. If a client-based email program was installed and set up as default on the diagnostic device, place a
checkmark after Use the standard e-mail client of the operating system:

4. If the configuration was changed, click Save / Yes. To revert back to the previous setting, click Reset.
Notes:
• If a client-based email application is installed, and the function selected as described above, no
additional configurations are necessary.
• If you are unsure of the type of email system used in the dealership, contact your systems
administrator or IT Professional for advice. For additional information, refer to Service Information –
ODIS Service document title: ODIS Service Email Outbox Configurations
Page 5 of 7
© 2013 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
3.4 – Brand Design
Two additional Brand design options are available:
• Dynamic:
When starting diagnosis the Brand logo and user interface colors automatically change to match the
connected vehicle.
• Neutral:
The Offboard Diagnostic Information System Service logo and neutral color scheme are configured.
1. From the ODIS Service main/start window, select the Admin operating mode.
2. From the General category, select Brand design and then click the Selection dropdown: If desired,
select the Dynamic or Neutral option (described above):

3. If the configuration was changed, click Save / Yes. To revert back to the previous setting, click Reset.

3.5 – Diagnostic Logs
GFF diagnostic log management functions are moved from the Data operating
mode subcategory to a new Log subcategory:
The Log subcategory also includes management functions for selfdiagnosis/OBD logs.
Expand the Log subcategory to reveal all available GFF and self diagnosis/OBD
log functions: Save, Print, Send etc.

Page 6 of 7
© 2013 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
3.6 – Camera Icon (screen capture)
Most ODIS Service user prompts and message windows now include
a Camera icon:
If you encounter an application malfunction where you wish to send a support inquiry via the Support
button, click the camera icon on any prompt or message window. A screen capture of the active windows
is automatically saved in a new support inquiry.
From the ODIS Service main window, expand the Help operating mode sub-category, and then click the
Support button. The screen capture already appears in the support inquiry next to the entry fields.

3.7 – Connection Test
When the diagnostic device is connected to the dealership network, the various connections to VWAG
Group systems (for SVM, immobilizer adaptation, radio code inquiries etc.) can be tested using the
Connection Test function.
1. From the Operating mode
category, expand the Extras
subcategory. Click the
Connection test button to initiate
a connection test to Group
Systems:

2.

Highlight the desired Brand, then click Select:

3. Place a checkmark in front of the desired Group System, then
click Start:

Page 7 of 7
© 2013 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.