Supply chain and asset tracking: how IoT boosts business efficiency
In a context where logistics chains have internationalized and multiplied, companies managing goods flows face the same challenges:
- Having real-time visibility on the location of their goods in transit.
- Accurately quantifying product availability and the need to produce or reorder.
- Knowing expiration dates of perishable products to perform effective rotations.
A lack of visibility on these elements can impact stock management and responsiveness in case of incidents (such as theft or cold chain disruptions), leading to delays and material—and, consequently, financial—losses. This is where IoT asset tracking comes into play in the supply chain.
To mitigate these challenges, IoT enables continuous and precise monitoring of available assets through GPS geolocation, as well as temperature, humidity, shock, and opening sensors. The integration of suitable hybrid connectivity (Bluetooth indoors, LPWAN or cellular outdoors, satellite for international or transoceanic routes) provides global, uninterrupted coverage, even in areas with low connectivity. On the technical side, these sensors typically include LPWAN modules (NB-IoT or LTE-M), which optimize their autonomy, minimize operating costs, and allow for regular updates while consuming little energy.
Benefits of IoT asset tracking for businesses
The Internet of Things provides end-to-end visibility from the beginning to the end of the logistics chain. From the truck loading stage to the final delivery, each participant in this chain can track the position, state, and environment of the goods. Anomaly detection (such as too high a temperature, unauthorized opening, or severe shock) is reported via real-time alerts, allowing for quick reactions and limiting the risks of loss and the delivery of defective products.
Real-time stock visibility also facilitates continuous inventory updates for better supply management without stockouts. Orders or production can be optimized without excess or waste, particularly in food, pharmaceutical, and medical sectors.
Asset tracking in the supply chain also enables better management of assets such as transport equipment or pallets, reducing storage and transport costs while optimizing manual interventions. In the long term, automating these tasks is an effective way to optimize material and human resources, providing significant financial gains for the company. Freed from repetitive tasks, employees can focus on less routine and more strategic roles for the business.
Challenges of IoT asset tracking in the supply chain
As in other sectors, objects facilitating massive data collection to precisely track goods can be susceptible to cyberattacks. Implementing a secure network designed to ensure data confidentiality and device resilience is essential for IoT asset tracking serving the logistics chain.
Interoperability is another major challenge. ERP, TMS, or WMS systems must be able to autonomously interface both nationally and internationally. Establishing standardized protocols (MQTT, LoRa, BLE) and creating modular platforms should enable smooth communication between different tools and technologies.
Technological advancements towards hybrid connections combining cellular and satellite will strengthen service continuity in the near future. The gradual integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning will also allow for more granular incident anticipation, optimizing routes, vehicle maintenance, and forecasting stockouts and handling goods. Lastly, the increasing penetration of 5G is expected to facilitate even faster and more frequent updates.
Objenious supports logistics sector players in improving their competitiveness. Bouygues Telecom’s LPWA, LTE-M, and NB-IoT networks are major components of our solutions, providing strong coverage in France and internationally. Contact our teams to find out how to enhance your company’s supply chain.