There are some misconceptions in the world of technology, specifically concerning technology solutions. When we hear certain phrases, we tend to assume the worst about technology as a whole: it’s overpriced, it doesn’t actually work, and it’s not private or secure. If we started to do some research instead of assuming the worst, we might find out that it’s better than we expected it to be.
With all the recent supply chain disruptions, logistics operators have started to look for a solution to their problems, a way to disrupt the disruptions. The simplest solution is to use technology. Coming to that conclusion only leads to more questions. Which type of technology should I use? How well does it work? Is it worth the cost? Often, when answering these questions, companies hear about others’ bad experiences and decide against investing in a solution. But most of the experiences you’ve heard about don’t explain the whole story. Today, let’s visit some of the top misconceptions of logistics tracking systems and unfold their reality.
What is a Logistics Tracking System?
Before we start to cover the misconceptions, let’s first break down what a logistics tracking system is and what its purpose is. A logistics tracking system relies on location technology to provide visibility of assets as they move through the supply chain. From the start of production through final delivery, this system lets you visualize your assets at every step. With all the challenges surrounding the transportation of assets, it’s especially important to have 24/7 visibility of your assets. Whether you are trying to ensure that a pallet ends up on the right truck or visibility of your trailers, a logistics tracker has you covered.
Increase Your ROI by Investing in AirFinder Everywhere
- Loss Prevention. Reduce the amount of loss that occurs during the supply chain process
- Location Coverage. AirFinder Everywhere uses a combination of GPS, Cellular, and WiFi to determine location everywhere
- Security Alerts. Know when a delay in shipment has occurred so the problem
can be addressed immediately.
Expectation: Technology is Overpriced
When most people think about technology, they tend to associate it with a high cost. You might think about your $1,000 cell phone and make the natural assumption that each tag you place on your trailer or pallet will cost the same. You do the math: 2,000 trailers at $1,000 per tag will cost you $2,000,000. For many, it’s not an amount you can feel comfortable spending without knowing how much it will help you or the money you’ll be able to save because of it.
Reality: Logistics Tracking Software is Affordable
While some technologies are overpriced, asset tracking technologies come at an affordable cost. While I could break down how our tags are less than $10 per month, it’s more beneficial to learn about the ROI you’ll receive. We’ll stick with the trailer illustration from earlier, but the same concept applies if you’re looking to track pallets or other assets. Whether your trailers are getting lost or left at the wrong location, you need to maintain complete real-time visibility of their location. If you lose one trailer, you have to spend around $75,000 to replace it. This isn’t exactly an ideal situation to find yourself in. For one tag on one trailer, you can pay as little as $4 per month for three years, at a total cost of $144. Paying $144 over the course of 3 years is significantly less than the cost of replacing one trailer.
Expectation: Technology is Difficult to Install and Maintain
Most people expect a logistics tracking system to have a lot of hardware components that are difficult to install. They anticipate needing tons of hardware in order for the tag to communicate with the system and to determine and record location information.
Reality: Technology is Simple to Install and Maintain
Would you believe me if I told you that, depending on your use case, the only hardware you need is one tag per trailer? Now, depending on what you’re tracking, you may need more tags, but the hardware is no more complicated than that. For example, if you’re tracking pallets, you need a tag on each pallet and apply an additional tag to the trailer to act as an access point. Even in this scenario, tags are the only hardware you need, and they are simple to install. Simply mount the tag to the asset you want to track, and that’s it! Tags require minimal maintenance, with a battery life of up to 3-5 years, depending on usage. We also have a rechargeable tag that has the option to be plugged in 24/7, reducing maintenance even further.
Expectation: Technology isn’t Secure
Many people assume that technology comes with cybersecurity risks. They worry that valuable and private information will be hacked into and leaked. These are reasonable fears to have. Your information is important to you, so you should take all the steps necessary to protect your information.
Reality: Technology can be Safely Used
Our team at Link Labs has taken steps to ensure that our devices and technology are secure. We use a combination of GPS, Cellular, and WiFi to determine location. Does WiFi connection raise red flags for you? Don’t worry: this logistics tracking device doesn’t actually connect to WiFi networks at all. Instead, it simply scans the area for WiFi access points to determine an approximate location without ever establishing connection. Another way we ensure security is by providing an end-to-end system. For many technology solutions, the hardware, firmware, and software are all separate, creating a greater chance of a security breach. Having an end-to-end system means that all three are included together, which limits communication channels and deters IoT attacks.
Expectation: Technology Won’t Work for My Problem
Many logistics operators assume their issue is too difficult for technology to solve. They think their problem is too complex or wide-reaching, or they assume that since they have multiple problems, they’ll have to purchase a different solution for each.
Reality: Technology Can Solve Your Problem!
Our logistics tracking system, AirFinder Everywhere, can solve your logistics problems with ease, all on a single system. We have helped logistics operators solve a variety of issues. Here are a few examples:
Trailer Tracking
Telematics systems are typically used by logistics operators to track trailers, but that’s not always the best or most complete option. A telematics solution is incredibly useful for a variety of problems, but pairing it with GPS logistics tracking gives you more visibility than telematics alone. After all, most telematics systems only provide location information when the trailer is connected to a truck that’s powered on. A logistics GPS tracker gives you visibility of your trailer even when there is no power, providing a supplement that ensures truly complete visibility.
Pallet Tracking
Using reusable pallets is a great way to save money and become more environmentally friendly, but it’s difficult to cut costs and be sustainable if your pallets keep getting lost or are simply never returned. Container tracking software provides real-time visibility of your pallets at all times. If a pallet isn’t returned, you don’t have to purchase a new one or try to make do with what you have. Instead, you can look up its location and retrieve it immediately.
Equipment Tracking
If you lease out your equipment, you need to maintain visibility of that equipment. After all, theft is not an uncommon issue when it comes to equipment rentals. When theft occurs, you’ll naturally be subjected to hefty replacement costs. Tracking the equipment can help you save that money. If equipment isn’t returned in a timely fashion, you have visibility of where it is and can have it retrieved.
Cold Chain Monitoring
If you are a cold chain distributor, temperature monitoring is an essential part of your logistics operations. It’s not enough to check the reefer once in a while: you need tags to alert you if a pallet’s temperature goes out of range in order to prevent spoilage before it occurs. Without this level of monitoring, you risk falling out of compliance and losing money from spoiled products.
And best of all – you don’t have to pick and choose which problem to solve. If you want to monitor your trailers, pallets, and cold chain, you can do all three by using just one system. This way, everything remains secure, affordable, and efficient.
Ready to Prove Your Misconceptions Wrong?
If you’re looking to streamline supply chain management, solve a problem in your logistics process, or just improve overall efficiency, you should implement logistics tracking system software. Our AirFinder Everywhere solution defies all common misconceptions about logistics tracking systems. From implementation cost to system functionality, you can rely on AirFinder to solve your problems without letting you down. Don’t assume the worst about logistics tracking: trust the reality, and embrace a solution that will truly solve your problems and improve your operations. To learn more about our logistics tracking system, book a demo with us!
