In life stuff happens. In the transportation of freight stuff happens all the time, and anything that can mitigate the consequences to your customers is welcome. The implementation of end-to-end supply chain visibility with IoT devices can have a positive impact on the overall customer experience.
Stuff happens - Take for example the Beirut explosion caused by ammonium nitrate or the fire aboard the Maersk Honam, which was thought to be caused by a consignment of lithium-ion batteries, which are known to have a propensity to heat to temperatures in excess of 1,000 degrees.
These types of cargoes further complicate modern supply chains, which are already highly complex, given the sheer number of stakeholders involved. The movement of a single box from the original manufacturer will see the involvement of truckers, port operators, customs officials, shipping lines, logistics providers, railway operators all the way through to the last mile delivery service to the retailer and consumer.
Moreover, the sheer scale of some of the vessels involved in the movement of containers can mean that errors happen. Moving containers around a ship or temporarily offloading freight during cargo operations can see cargo left on the quayside, leaving your customers with questions that you must answer.
Having IoT tracking devices can give an early alert to cargo owners that action needs to be taken to remedy a situation.
Greater transparency through real-time information allows shippers to track orders, with updated information of delivery times and the consequent availability of the cargo.
That knowledge adds to the certainty and customers can act with a greater degree of confidence when they can see the status of their orders in real-time.
In turn accurate information and greater visibility makes for more effective communications between stakeholders within the supply chain too. Access to up-to-date information and trust in that information allows suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and, ultimately, retailers, to trust in the data and reduces the incidence of miscommunication between the various points in the logistics chain.
So when problems do arise, as they sometimes will, it will contribute to faster, more effective solutions which minimize the impact and, again ultimately, lower the cost of any exceptions that may take place - improving the customer experience all round.
According to Drewry shipping consultants, some 25% of containers will be fitted with IoT devices by 2026 as a result of the digitalisation of supply chains, with first Hapag- Lloyd, then ONE indicating they will add IoT trackers to all containers in their fleet.
Some in the freight business have questioned the need to track the movement of goods, and for low value cargo that is not time sensitive there may well be validity for that view. However finished goods and consumables are often high value goods heading from Asia to, mainly, European and US markets do not fall into that category.
IoT sensors play a crucial role in enhancing the security and efficiency of shipping containers by detecting door openings and mitigating the risks of theft and trafficking.
These sensors are strategically placed on container doors and utilize advanced technologies to monitor and relay data in real-time. When a container door is opened, the IoT sensors immediately detect the change and send an alert to the relevant parties, such as the shipping company or law enforcement agencies.
This instant notification enables swift response and intervention to prevent unauthorized access, theft, or the illicit movement of goods.
By providing continuous monitoring and real-time updates, IoT sensors act as a powerful deterrent against criminal activities, ensuring the integrity and safety of shipping containers throughout their journey.
Visibility for these trades can add insights into how your supply chain works, reduces risk and allows stakeholders to offer a more agile service. Put simply, stakeholders through supply chain visibility have a broad overview of their logistics which allows for faster responses.
That, however, is not the end of the story. Visibility also offers the opportunity to improve quality from service providers and get a more consistent service.
Quality control can also improve with streamlined assignments for task managers and by scoring service providers it can provide an indication of where improvements are needed. With these pointers in place the evolution of the supply chain should see an increase in trust between the stakeholder and their supplier, which in turn will lead to greater autonomy for the supplier to act, with the stakeholder feeling safe in the knowledge that their freight is in good hands.
Overall, applying supply chain visibility techniques will lower costs by minimizing the effects of any deviations, while also cutting back on high-cost rush orders to meet unsatisfied demand, demand that was hit by logistical challenges.
In turn satisfied customers means a reduction in lost business and a release from the reputational damage that occurs when supply chains are hit by disruptions.
Traxens trackers offer supply chain stakeholders the opportunity to develop the means to protect and monitor freight movement, but also to develop better solutions to manage customer expectations when stuff happens.
Technology such as Traxens-Box 3 and Traxens-Box Easy tracking systems along with its data analytics system, give context to events as they happen and help stakeholders to understand how to respond.
The control tower software offers supply chain stakeholders a service that will become ever more relevant as the number of containers transported globally increases along with the complexity of supply chains.
