Pallet Temperature Tracking: The Complete Guide

As cross border supply chains or global supply chains are becoming more prominent in the recent times, products stored in pallets and containers are transported across international borders. Several businesses perceive pallets as expendable, mainly due to the ample resources required to track them during transit. However, newer and better tracking solutions have been introduced in the market to make pallet temperature tracking affordable, intuitive, and manageable.

Several businesses have incurred losses due to lost, stolen, or damaged pallets every year, which is why it is time for you to invest in customised IoT and GPS pallet tracking solutions. These tracking devices monitor your assets in real time, and send data to you for better supply chain visibility. Here’s more you need to know.

Why Passive Pallet Tracking isn’t Useful Anymore?

One of the reasons why passive pallet tracking is widely adopted by businesses everywhere is its reduced cost. However, passive pallet tracking isn’t worth spending anymore. Even though they are easy to set up and doesn’t cost too much, there are several limitations with regards to supply chain management. The RFID tags used will only work when it is in close proximity to the scanner. Here’s a list of the major drawbacks of passive pallet tracking:

• Real time data tracking is not possible
• Cannot prevent the possibility of theft
• Records must be created manually
• Increased chances of human error
• Lack of instant alerts or notifications

Active Pallet Tracking is the Way to Go!

You no longer have to actively scan for gathering data anymore. With active pallet temperature tracking, businesses can easily achieve end to end supply chain visibility, and ensure that their products are safe, right from manufacturing to delivery.

The biggest difference between active and passive tracking is the read distance. This has immensely helped numerous businesses in simplifying their supply chain process and improve savings. Active pallet tracking is made possible by a range of advanced BLE tracking devices offered by recognised manufacturers. Temperature, location, and other parameters can be monitored in real time, unlike passive tracking. The entire process is streamlined, and you receive ample data that can be used for actionable decision making. The key highlights of active pallet tracking include:

• Real time monitoring of data
• Improved security for assets and supplies
• Automated data entry
• Increased accuracy and less chances of errors
• Analytics on the movement of assets

The Basics of Temperature Monitoring Systems

Temperature monitoring systems are powered by IoT technology that helps you to examine, in real time, the temperature at pallet level. Therefore, you get to retain the freshness of all your products. This is especially important when the pallets are transported through different climate zones or weather conditions. Businesses operating in the healthcare, food, and similar industries will greatly benefit from tracking pallet temperature.

BLE tracking devices will allow you to easily monitor the temperature of your consignments throughout the supply chain. This ensures that your temperature-sensitive items will be safe and never fall short of quality till they reach your customers.

How does it Work?

• BLE tags are attached to the vehicle, pallets, or containers
• BLE gateways will be installed on the vehicle
• The data gathered will be transmitted through mobile network
• All the information about the pallets including temperature, humidity, movement etc will be displayed on a customised web interface

3 Great Capabilities of Pallet Temperature Tracking Systems

The following features will help simplify pallet tracking and maximise efficiencies for you:

• Alerts on Temperature Changes:

When the temperature goes outside your specified range, it triggers the sensor to alert you about the situation. You can then contact the logistics team and ask them to work on it immediately. This way, the chances of product damage will be greatly reduced.

• Automated Tracking:

Gone are those days when you have to manually check for the latest temperature readings of your assets. A BLE based temperature monitoring system will be constantly tracking pallet temperature, so that you can peacefully focus on other important tasks.

• Easy Customisation:

Based on the product you are transporting, you can set minimum and maximum thresholds on your temperature tracking device. These can also be reset at any time you want.

The Goodness of an IoT Platform

Tracking devices powered by IoT facilitate real time tracking of all your pallets. Here are some noteworthy capabilities of IoT trackers:

• Obtain real time location of your pallets
• Monitor the temperature and humidity of the area where your pallet is kept
• See if the pallet is staying still, or moving towards other spots
• Send an alert if the package is being opened by someone

Make the switch from passive to active pallet tracking, by installing high quality and durable BLE temperature tracking devices. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact one of the leading providers of supply chain solutions.