Transformation of food supply chains through use of IoT devices
Did you know? IoT devices fitted on UPS trailers collect and transmit approx. 50-60 million GPS messages per week.
Managing a food supply chain is a race against temperature, humidity, and time. The food items have varied types. They could be raw or processed meats, fresh fruits, and vegetables, processed foods, etc. Foods are generally a class f goods that are sensitive to temperature and humidity changes in their ambiance. Their shelf life depends heavily on the maintenance of these parameters during transportation and storage. Hence a controlled atmosphere during transit is exceptionally critical in retaining the freshness and quality of foods.
Foods can be solid, semi-solid, or in liquid forms. Each type needs a distinct treatment when attempts are made to retain its freshness and quality. Another variable involved in the mechanical cooling equipment being used to maintain desirable temperatures. These types of equipment need proper servicing to work well. Another threat is human error, which can be addressed with appropriate training of personnel involved. Efforts should be focused on reducing the time the food spends in transit. The United Nations, in one of their reports, stated that almost one-third of foods produced around the world do not make it to the consumers. They get spoilt either during storage or during transit.
The advancements in cooling technology and monitoring technologies that use hi-tech communications have made it possible to store foods for more extended periods. These operations have helped save a lot of food in the world. Gone are when humans resorted to conventional cooling methods using ice or even primitive insulation materials. IoT has been at the cutting edge of the modern cold food supply chains.
IoT in modern cold food supply chains
Food supply chains have successfully achieved sub-zero Celsius temperatures. Foods usually get spoilt at room temperatures i.e., 25 degrees Celsius and upwards. In general, the refrigerators are able to maintain a temperature range from 2 to 8 °C (36 to 46 °F). When GPS IoT tracking devices for cold food chain are deployed, they monitor changes in temperature, humidity, and even events of shock closely. Whenever an undesirable fluctuation is observed by the IoT device, it swings into action. It tries to reach out to other devices in the network. It talks to other IoT devices for food supply chain in its vicinity, like the truck driver’s smartphone or tablet hauling the cargo. It also connects via a cellular network to reach out to the logistic company’s cloud network to alert the authorities. These activities induced by the GPS IoT devices for Food Logistics save the food items from the risk of contamination and deterioration due to microbes.
Traceability is a big issue in the food supply chain that is addressed by GPS IOT tracking devices for cold food chain. The successful cold food supply chains are equipped with connected IoT devices. Each of the separate consignments being transported can be fitted with a monitoring beacon that has sensors working towards recording and monitoring temperature throughout the chain. As long as the temperature, humidity is within the prescribed range, the IoT devices for food supply chain remain on standby. Any breaches in temperatures are immediately reported by sending notification alerts to the stakeholders. These intelligent sensors also monitor the changes in GPS location. GPS fencing is also a prominent feature of such devices.
The food supply shortage is already looming due to COVID-19, as per the chart below:
Eelink supply chain solutions
Shenzhen Eelink Communication Technology Co Ltd enables successful cold food supply chains with their IoT enabled monitoring devices. The DB01 Bluetooth temperature humidity beacon is one such example of a perfect product. This product makes an endeavor to cover all the aspects of the cold chain. It also makes it a point to report any fluctuations and unforeseen circumstances that pose a risk to the quality and freshness of foods. The DB01 beacon, one of the best GPS IoT devices for Food Logistics, has a temperature sensor, humidity sensor, and an accelerometer. It works using the latest long range Bluetooth 5.0 technology and is fitted with 3-year long battery life. The software that powers the beacon is an interactive, robust intelligent software. Software is fully compatible with iOs and Android OS that powers most of the smartphones and tablets around the world. It is the best piece of equipment that gives the expensive sensors a run for their money. The beacon has the capability to be used with BLE platforms Eddystone and i-Beacon.
Shenzhen Eelink Communication Technology Co Ltd is one of the most popular manufacturers and suppliers of innovative products and solutions. They have carved a niche for themselves in the field of development and manufacturing of IoT devices. They follow strict compliance when it comes to manufacturing the best IoT devices as per international industry standards.
The beacon can easily connect with other devices on its network and provide real-time status updates of the food cargo. These updates include changes in temperature, humidity, lighting level, and even fall detection. The beacon model DB01 BLE Temperature & Humidity Sensor Beacon with an extended 3year long battery life is the most cost-efficient beacon in the market. It is also equipped with onboard memory that can record 54,000 history records. The beacon continues to tirelessly monitor the parameters and keeps reporting fluctuations if any.
Another unique feature of DB01 temperature and humidity beacon is that it has a 120×120 LCD screen. You do not need to connect your smartphone or a tablet every time to look at the device’s records. The display allows the viewer to check all parameters and get immediate information. The alarm notifications from the device report fluctuations in humidity, light intensity, as well as vibrations notifications.
The beacon proves to be the best choice for deployment in cold food supply chains. It provides peace of mind to shippers and their clients that no undesirable event will go unnoticed. And they can quickly make decisions whether to intervene depending on the severity of the situation. The beacon manufactured by Shenzhen Eelink Communication Technology Co Ltd has an accelerometer and low power consumption. The device has battery consumption modes like “Power Save” as well as “Standard Operation” modes. Its power requirements are in the micro (µ) range (or even milli-amps). With a voltage supply of up to 5V, they can work efficiently for long durations.
Starting from fleet management to warehouse management, later to enable tracking and tracing. Food cold supply chains are backed by smart software and technology that have stepped up the quality and freshness game. Cold food and beverage products are now less susceptible to incidents that spoil them. Around the time of the pandemic, Shenzhen Eelink Communication Technology Co Ltd has helped several cold chain operators adapt the newest tech. This has greatly helped in ensuring food safety, traceability, visibility, and quality assurance. The supply chain solutions from Eelink have created winners in cold food supply chains across the globe.
Here are a few of the striking features of the DB01 BLE temperature humidity sensor beacon:
- Waterproof and dust-proof– The device is rated IP65 when it comes to water-resistance and dust resistance. It can remain safe when subjected to accidental splashes.
- Notification alarms – Ability to customize alarms originating from fluctuations in humidity, temperature, lighting alarm, tilt alarm, vibration alarm, and low battery alarm.
- Temperature and humidity sensors – It has an extensive signal range and gives out accurate readings. It is sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity changes in its ambiance.
- Luminosity sensors – It can monitor changes in ambient lighting within the defined light intensity ranges.
- Accelerometer sensor – The device logs tilts, vibrations, as well as any spontaneous movements. It can notify the stakeholders about events emanating from shocks to the cargo.
- Smartphone connectivity – It can communicate with nearby devices using Bluetooth and far away devices via cellular connections.
- Extended battery life – Comes with replaceable 3-year, 600mAh CR2450 Button Battery.