Over time, technology has become advanced and is benefitting people all over the world in almost all aspects of life. Similarly, Bluetooth is a technology that has elevated throughout the years and is only getting better. In this article, you will get to know about ‘Bluetooth Beacon’ that is not only making businesses grow but have also become a well-known name in cold chain solutions.

What Is a Bluetooth Beacon?

Firstly, Bluetooth is a short-range wireless communication device that replaces cable connecting electronic devices. Bluetooth Beacons are small transmitters that use wireless Bluetooth technology. Using this technology, Bluetooth beacons connect and transmit information to smart devices making location-based searches much easier and more accurate. This device is meant for situations where battery life is preferred over high data-transfer speed. As most of the smartphones and other devices such as tablets have Bluetooth technology, they are compatible to and can easily communicate with other Bluetooth enabled devices such wireless Bluetooth headphones, digital signage, car stereos, fitness tracker and hardware devices like beacons.

So the question here is: how does it work?

Well, it is extremely simple. Each device contains a CPU, radio, and battery and it works with an identifier. Bluetooth beacons transmit an identifier. The identifier is a significant ID number that your smartphone classifies as unique to beacon. Once it is connected with a compatible application, the beacon will carry out whatever function it has been designed to perform.

As we all know ‘globalization’ is changing logistics, it is also pushing businesses to achieve absolute efficiency by bringing new technology into the market. The advancement in technology is providing a better version of almost every device that exists and same is the case with Bluetooth. Have you ever heard of a Bluetooth device which has temperature and humidity senor in it, for cold chain solution?

Let’s discuss briefly why the manufacturer and business feel the need to introduce a Bluetooth device for cold chain solutions?

According to the US Department of Commerce, the global deficits in the food industry have risen by $750 billion each year. Highly notable, the department has recommended that the losses are affected predominantly from inadequate facilities and food safety managing procedure. While demand continues to increase each year, there are enormous gaps in cold chain logistics and data logging systems. As the assets are transported from one end to the other, this can consist of several different steps and each of these can potentially add more complication to the process. For instance, harvested food has to go through different stages, all of which need to be accurately and consistently tracked in order to ensure safety and less wastage of food which will add further costs to the business, leaving it in a significant loss.

Steps may include:

1. harvest
2. pre-cooling
3. packaging
4. transportation
5. cold storage
6. store display

The procedure involved in carrying out these steps is overly complex and delicate. Most importantly, the general need is to track the temperature, some types of food may be particularly sensitive to temperature. When each type of asset need to be specifically taken care of, it becomes vital that temperature and environment tracking operates at its full capacity and efficiency 24/7. This evidently means computerization from the starting point to the end. Whether you are in a pharmaceutical industry or agriculture, it makes no difference because Cold Chain technology always needs an update. The maintenance of an optimal temperature during the transportation of supplies including food and pharmaceutical supplies is extremely crucial to prevent spoilage. Bluetooth Beacon equipped with temperature sensors is a reliable and affordable way to ensure that your coolers and freezers are working properly, potentially saving thousands of dollars in unnecessary damage.

As goods are increasingly shipped around the globe via Cold Chain logistics, accurate tracking with temperature sensors can help in ensuring that goods move faster in larger quantities.

Sensor Data Tracking is an amazing feature of Bluetooth Beacons. It helps shipping operators to ensure that their goods maintain the correct atmosphere and arrive safe and intact. This sensor data is crucial for everyone involved. Upon reaching the destination, sensor data will likely be handed over to the customer as a proof that goods were under a lot of care. If something goes wrong, the transport operator can show that it wasn’t due to any negligibility on his part.

With potentially billions of dollars’ worth of cargo at stake worldwide, the careful live monitoring, sending, and receiving of business-critical information is essential to success. When it comes to collecting data, the real-time parameters are exceptionally useful to successfully complete the process of cargo, passing from the manufacturer to the suppliers, distribution centres, retailers, and ultimately to customers.

This device has some tremendous benefits that cannot be overlooked; if you are willing to buy this device for your business, then you must focus on its features to get a clearer a picture of what you are exactly buying and whether it’s worth it.

• Reduce spoilage and wastage
• Save time and resources
• Preventive Maintenance
• Monitor from anywhere
• Maintain regulatory compliance
• Protect your business reputation
• Improved customer reliability
• Efficiency
• Manageability
• Capacity on supply

Now, the million dollar question– what is the difference between Bluetooth and other solutions? The prime difference is the cost. Cold Chain normally uses RFID, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for active tracking. Although, these technologies attain similar results but the difference is the cost. For example, RFID reader can cost anywhere in between $1000 to $5000 as the basic cost. However, the Bluetooth readers on the other hand are far more efficient and have <$100 price difference.

With Bluetooth tracking turning out to be much easier, like other RFID solutions, one can find out exactly what goes on during transport due to the real-time sensor data. Moreover, automated alerts are generated to achieve maximum efficiency in Cold Chain shipping, making Bluetooth a promising innovation in this field.