Some tracking solutions that read barcodes already allow us to follow packages and mail. However, they require manual action by a technician at different stages of the object’s journey, such as scanning the identification code. IoT technologies, on the other hand, enable further capabilities, allowing us to know in real-time where an asset is, without any human intervention.
There are numerous use cases for asset tracking, covering both the safety of valuable goods and personal security.
Asset tracking: various use cases
1. IoT suitable for all object sizes
IoT technologies disregard size when it comes to asset tracking. Solutions exist for tracking everything from a car or a pallet of automotive spare parts to a container aboard an airplane or ship.
The interests vary depending on the object, of course. In the case of tracking spare parts, it could be about organizing the assembly of a car and ensuring all parts are delivered simultaneously without the need to store elements while waiting for others. In the case of container or car tracking, it can be from an insurance perspective, ensuring the ability to identify and track the asset wherever it may be, even if it has been disguised (via a change of plate or identification number).
The choice between using IoT technology, whether LTE-M, 4G, or 5G, does not depend on the size of the object to be tracked, but rather on the technical specificities of the expected use. In the aforementioned cases, combinations of 4G and LTE-M technologies are commonly used.
2. On land or at sea
Some insurers have started to offer billing based on the number of kilometers traveled—a “Pay as you drive” business model. An IoT solution supplements the information provided by the car’s odometer.
In the luxury sector, anonymity of the packaging is key. To avoid any hijacking of packages, tracking can be an asset from an insurance perspective and brand image.
When it comes to the transport of goods, companies are increasingly turning to multimodal logistics solutions. Thus, containers must also be tracked when moving via waterways or sea lanes. This solution already exists through devices that combine 4G, LTE-M, and even NB-IoT in fallback mode. These networks are already widely deployed worldwide, so when the object comes close to the land-based receivers, the device will relay information, including its location.
3. Ensuring Compliance with a Characteristic During Transport
Beyond mere asset tracking, IoT can ensure adherence to the cold chain. The transport conditions of temperature-sensitive products must be strictly followed to prevent contamination. These solutions can ensure that a door has been properly closed and that the content has remained at the right temperature from its origin to destination.
Hardware Constraints
Alongside the choice of technology or technologies to use for an effective tracking solution, other technical elements must be considered. This includes the battery size and the quality of the sensor, which play an important role in the product’s lifespan.
Using low-power, low-bandwidth technologies helps optimize the business model and avoids using a larger, more expensive battery. The right combination of software, hardware, and technology makes for less energy consumption and thus extends the service life of the offered solution. For example, LTE-M technology has significant advantages for mobility and product longevity that allows for object tracking.
It is also highly recommended to use a hardened SIM for tracking. Similarly, a soldered SIM can impact the product’s lifespan and improve its efficacy. With all components sealed inside the case, the product becomes more efficient.
Overcoming roaming challenges
The market for IoT solutions is maturing internationally, although some countries retain specific standards when it comes to roaming management. Roaming has its particularities depending on the country. For example, Brazilian legislation requires that object tracking solutions on its territory be affiliated with a local IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) and that the service provider use local data centers.
Roaming agreements are increasing among various telecommunications operators, and they are working towards standardizing the settings of technologies like LTE-M in all countries, especially on eDRX and PSM sleep settings. This is good news for facilitating international asset tracking, as is the accelerated deployment of 5G. Indeed, 5G, like 4G, could be relevant for addressing certain issues, even if we are still in the early stages of understanding the benefits we can derive from this technology’s exploitation.