Real-time Shipping Container Tracking: Do Active RFID Tags Suffice?
In the retail sector, RFID asset tracking has been a no-brainer ever since e-commerce became an integral part of the omnichannel sales strategy. Mitigating the risks of shrinkage-driven loss may be an obvious use case of the technology. However, businesses can achieve much more by tracking shipping containers at regular intervals. RFID tags can empower business owners to take timely, appropriate actions when delays, accidents, or other issues jeopardise order fulfilment, customer satisfaction, and contractual obligations. At the same time, there are logistical improvements in real-time container tracking, including arranging for the appropriate number of vehicles and labour for upcoming transits.
Further, in high-risk domains such as the pharmaceutical industry, electronically tracking the exact supply chain route is mandatory in countries such as the USA. On the other hand, as a group of consumers have become increasingly sensitive to factors such as cruelty-free and organic food, or grass-fed meat and free-range eggs, tracking where and how one’s supplier is procuring the produce may be a top priority for supermarkets and restaurants. Here too, RFID Container Tracking Systems save the day, helping businesses stay compliant and avoid reputation damage, regulatory fines, and expensive legal battles surrounding false advertising.
In our last blog, How to Calculate the ROI on RFID: Deep Dive, we outlined the top benefits of RFID asset tracking. To offer an in-depth understanding of the RFID technology, we now will explore:
- The type of RFID tags needed for tracking vehicles.
- The workings of RFID Container Tracking Systems
Let’s jump right in!
What is the ideal type of RFID tag for Container Tracking Solutions?
Implementing active RFID tags on the containers is one of the most effective ways of knowing where the inventory is in transit or gathering cargo-related data at a fixed interval. Active tags run on their power source and can transmit ultra-high frequency signals as far as 100m.
However, it is worth asking: How do businesses track consignments beyond the reading range?
Can Real-time Container Tracking Depend Only on Active RFID tags?
Considering that real-time tracking has become essential, Active RFID tags alone can’t meet the requirements of the industry. Instead, they are an integral part of the whole.
The key component of a holistic Container Tracking System involves GPS-tracking. When a GPS device is attached to the container, businesses can track its real-time location with the help of satellite communications and cellular networks. In case the shipment passes through an urban area, the GPS usually leverages the cellular network. However, in remote areas or mid-sea zones, satellite communication is the only recourse. It is worth noting that this hybrid use of communication modes aims to save cost as satellite communication is more expensive than cellular networks.
Further, if the consignment is temperature or moisture sensitive, then sensors can be installed to monitor the conditions in the container.
Determining Real-Time Location: GPS Devices or Active RFID tags, or Both?
The advantage RFID tags have over GPS-tracking devices is that these tags validate the location of individual items or a batch of items. GPS tracking, on the other hand, focuses only on the location of the vehicle/container.
In other words, GPS proves to be the best solution for ensuring that the container is on the correct route and is running safely and on time. Adding to the force of GPS tracking, RFID tags assure decision-makers that the items shipped have not been stolen or left behind at a dock while loading or unloading. Therefore, to know the real-time location of items, the data sets from the tags and the GPS device are mapped into each other; in an ideal scenario, both the data sets should largely match.
When a container goes beyond the reading range of RFID readers, the central tracking system assumes that the GPS data indicates the real-time location of the items. The set of intuitive location data of individual items is then verified against the data collected by a RFID reader once the container comes within its reading range.
What about Conditions in the Container? IoT and Tracking Sensor Data
IoT Sensors are responsible for measuring conditions such as temperature, humidity, shock, or light inside the container. The data collected by the sensor is sent to the cloud with the help of a gateway device via cellular networks and satellite communications.
Upon receiving the data, the Analytics modules of the cloud process the raw data, enabling the decision-makers to interpret the data sets.
Why Choose Cloud Container Tracking Solutions?
Apart from real-time tracking, here are a few key benefits of a cloud-native container tracking solution:
- The ease of scaling up cloud storage and the efficiency of cloud computing in handling large data sets, not just from a single container but multiple ones
- Cloud data allows decision-makers mobility, i.e., they can take a call on containers from anywhere with an internet connection.
Final Thoughts
It is only by combining IoT devices, communication networks, and cloud computing, RFID tags, and GPS tracking, a Container Tracking Solution can offer end-to-end visibility and control over the supply chain.
Those looking for an effective Container Tracking Solution should note that Quinta is one of the most prominent end-to-end solution providers in the industry. Over the years, we at Quinta have helped many industry leaders build a potent AIDC infrastructure, especially with a wide range of RFID readers. Redefine your business efficiency with us!
To know more, contact us today and an expert from our team will get in touch with you as soon as possible.
