Building Security in Logistics with IoT

It is hard to believe that the transport and logistics industry can improve if an avid reader orders the latest hardcover bestseller from Amazon on Tuesday and cracks the book spin on Wednesday. The IoT nevertheless offers the opportunity to collect vast amounts of information. The ability to use this data for better security, faster transport, enhanced management of the supply chain, and improved processes have to be taken into account more significantly.

IoT can create machine-to-machine connections in the logistics and transportation sectors, more specifically the IIoT, which allow vehicles, packages, containers, loading equipment, and other equipment and assets to communicate across the entire supply chains. People need not log information manually if smart devices can automatically trap that data.

The cargo theft not only causes financial loss, but it also jeopardizes people's lives and shuts down companies. The IoT could reduce these losses dramatically. For instance, every year sensor technology is becoming more precise and affordable. Transportation companies can use sensors to identify vehicles that turn off or stop long distances. Smaller sensors attached to containers, often as thin as paper, can help carriers and authorities to track stolen properties, which increase the likelihood of recovery. The technology used for geolocation can help carriers to keep track of cargo from leaving the warehouse. Even if a company cannot recover the lost cargo, its situation can be analyzed and risk factors determined which it will avoid in the future.

The transport industry will benefit from complex locks over the next few decades, which will only open when conditions meet specified criteria. Furthermore, telematics, big data, and smart devices can help prevent theft of fuel and other auxiliary losses by monitoring and sensors on the road.

For years, transport, logistics, and production companies have used telematics to generate information and improve processes. However, IoT presents new ways to access and apply big data immediately afterward. Based on big data, companies have had difficulties using the power. The collection of the data was the first obstacle, but it was difficult to analyze and apply it in a useful way. However, in order to determine performance levels, overall equipment efficiency (OEE), uncertain conditions and optimization possibilities, the IoT enables transport and logistics companies to collect data from trucks and other equipment.

IoT not only informs a case or initiative of single-use but also affects all transport and logistics aspects and can revolutionize the ways businesses move cargo from one location to another. While researchers do not know how IoT will look in 50 years, current analysis shows that the shipping and reception processes of tomorrow will operate much more efficiently than they do today.