Food Logistics serves the entire food supply chain industry with targeted content for manufacturers, retailers, and distributors.
Issue link: https://foodlogistics.epubxp.com/i/490456
36 MARCH 2015 • FOOD LOGISTICS www.foodlogistics.com Food Logistics recently asked telemat- ics executives to provide their insight into what the challenges in the market will be, what they are currently experienc- ing in the field as the electronic logging device (ELD) mandate draws near, and how real-time information has become crucial in the global food supply chain. One size, solution does not fit all In a market with hundreds of providers and endless solutions, food and beverage (f&b;) fleets are finding that reliable, imbedded solutions are starting to give ground to more portable and smartphone/tablet- based options. Telematics experts offer different ideas about the merits of imbedded versus por- table solutions. "Imbedded will be your tried and true sys- tem since they stay with the units constantly reporting location, temperature, fuel, etc., and alleviates the customer from further hassles of misplaced equipment and possibly theft," says Chris Gilham, senior systems support specialist at Alpharetta, Ga.-based Cooltrax. "Portable leaves you open to the problems an imbedded system alleviates, and in a fast-paced environ- ment like this (f&b;), we see many people turn their heads trying to keep up with portable systems. Smartphones are a great option, but when you are reading temperatures directly from a reefer, there still has to be some sort of imbedded technology to send you that information." Even though it has some draw- backs, portable systems are gain- ing market share because they are convenient and cost-effec- tive solutions that meet the demands of today's pace and style of business, according to Jon M. Van Winkle, vice president N ot only does the rapid speed of innovation continue to push telematics deployment in the food and beverage (F&B;) sector, but with new governmental regulations seemingly being proposed every day, the role telematics plays in managing a feet is set to increase in the coming years. Given the fact that most food and beverage feets are still not using telematics, supply chain decision makers need to get up to speed on what this technology can offer them. EFFICIENT FLEETS: Do You Need Telematics? Telematics experts weigh in on the ELD mandate and the role telematics will play in the push for real-time connectivity for F&B; fleets. BY ERIC SACHARSKI i t , f d i n r e a b o n i c s e r i b y w t m m i s p l a c e d e q u i p m e n d e v i c e ( E L D ) m a h o w r e a l - t i m e i n f c r u c i a l i n t h e g l o O n e s i z e , s o l u I n a m a r k e t w i n g a f e e t i s s e t t o i n c r e a s e i n t h e c o m i n g e f a c t t h a t m o s t f o o d a n d b e v e r a g e f e e t s e d t o g e t u p I n a m a r k e t w e n d l e s s s o l u t i o n s , f l f e e t s a r e f i n d s o l u t i o n s a r m o r e p o r t a b a s e d o p t i o T e l e m a t i a b o u t t h e m e t a b l e s o l u t i o n s . " I m b e d d e d w i l l t e m s i n c e t h e y s t a y r e p o r t i n g l o c a t i o n , a l l e v i a t e s t h e c u s t o . G e e l e m a t i c s , s u p h i s t e c h n o l o g y e o o o e e p p l y c h a i n d e c i s i o n m a k e r s n e e y c a n o f f e r t h e m . • Cloud-based telematics sends real-time in- formation to fleet managers, including proof of delivery and vehicle and driver performance. SECTOR REPORTS S O F T W A R E / T E C H N O L O G Y: T E L E M AT I C S