Challenge
According to the International Institute of Refrigeration, the lack of a functioning cold chain causes considerable food loss - up to almost 20% throughout the world, in developed countries, food losses account for nearly 23% on average in developing countries and 9% of total food production. Meat, poultry, dairy products, seafood, agricultural produce, various chemicals and pharmaceuticals, flowers, and many other daily consumed goods require temperature monitoring during transportation to ensure that they are delivered to end-users in usable condition.
Broken cold chains within specified environmental conditions caused by mechanical breakdowns of transporting vehicles, traffic delays, custom border checks, driver confusion abroad, poor loading practices, inadequate insulation, and similar factors create unwanted temperatures fluctuations that may affect spoilage and safety of perishable cargo. moreover, a lack of real-time visibility of goods locations and their status, or even thefts, can be a contributing factor to inefficient business operations and consequential losses.
Definitely, temperature (and humidity most times) monitoring is critical for the distribution industry in any country around the world. Sometimes, they are crucial to health and safety, in others - to the preservation of priceless items, such as antiques and artefacts. Luckily, these challenges can be effectively tackled with minimum effort and maximum results utilising TrackingHAWK tracking system wide range of products portfolio, smart features, and wireless Bluetooth technology.
Solution
To solve the challenges mentioned above, we use the SPECIAL category GPS tracker Eagle PRO with integrated CAN Bus data reading processor and Bluetooth temperature sensor based TrackingHAWK accessory with smart features and extensive functionality set including ID signal transmission, temperature, humidity, and internal battery level tracking.
How it works - the Eagle PRO model is based on the tracking platform and supports wireless Bluetooth LE connectivity, so it can effectively communicate with Bluetooth devices such as sensors. To ensure the best results, the tracker should be installed in a cold chain vehicle and configured the usual way in the spot where its Bluetooth antenna is not covered by bulky metal parts nearby.
The compact and TrackingHAWK Bluetooth temperature sensor has to be attached to temperature-sensitive cargo items to be tracked and monitored - the protective bag, outer corrugated carton, container, barrel, pallet, etc. Vehicle GPS tracker receives readings from each sensor over the air at configurable intervals and sends this data as temperature sensor profile to a server for analysis combined with the actual temperature, humidity, and its GNSS location details.
Dedicated software developed by a softcruise determines and displays all Bluetooth (thus, tagged items) locations based on proximity to the vehicle tracker and the parameters they track. Because of that, the cargo of cold chain lorry can be monitored via PC, laptop or smartphone in real-time this way notably improving the efficiency of goods management, distribution operations and preventing losses or thefts.
Value-Adding Smart Features
To bring maximum value, the Bluetooth model has a set of handy features and event scenarios helping to sort, monitor, manage, and optimise operations of cold chain distribution with remarkable efficiency. Let’s look at some prominent ones.
Topology
Benefits
Bluetooth settings are customisable for every project - to get the maximum value out of it, TrackingHAWK temperature sensor signal strength and data transmitting intervals can be configured to exact project application needs and used, practically, in any form and size buildings, vehicles or trailers.
Precise cargo temperature and location monitoring – 100% accountability of everything important to the cold chain distribution - goods, fresh produce, valuable assets, processes, patterns, and staff actions of interest are being tracked, monitored, and optimised.
Unique and value-adding SFT sensor features - abundant smart and practical event scenarios helping to track, monitor, manage cargo deliveries with outstanding efficiency.
Wireless and affordable - Bluetooth connectivity ensures fast installation and setup, low interference, power consumption and is inexpensive. If damaged, lost or stolen, the TrackingHAWK temperature sensor can be quickly replaced.
Improved profitability and competitiveness - considerable cost savings because of cutting goods, valuable asset loss expenses, anti-theft protection to boost profits, improved cash-flow and investment opportunities.
Why TrackingHAWK?
We are the right place to get all you need to succeed - the most generous variety of top-quality certified GPS trackers, accessories, and solutions for any use case imaginable in vehicle tracking. From the start of the company 23 years ago until today, TrackingHAWK 1,900 strong and growing team has manufactured 16 million IoT devices, helped to succeed thousands of customers and partners in many countries across the globe.