March/April 2016
Globalstar’s next generation satellite. Only satellite can deliver always-on connectivity with
assets. Photo courtesy of Thales Alenia Space
GSM and satellite
One example of this in action is Spanish technology and fleet
tracking solutions specialist FAGOR Electronica, S. Coop, which has
adopted a hybrid communications approach for its new trucktracking solution. As soon as a vehicle moves out of GSM range,
satellite transmissions automatically take over. More than tracking,
FAGOR’s solution optimises engine management, giving fleet
managers a picture of how a particular vehicle is running, to foresee
problems and to better plan and schedule repairs and maintenance.
Similar to how FAGOR’s solution has expanded beyond tracking in
the distribution sector, the latest IoT technologies feature integrated
sensors that provide businesses with environmental data that impact
cargo’s condition and affect the supply chain. One valuable metric is
movement, with sensors instantly reporting when an asset – such as
a rail car or container – has experienced damage or shock.
Petrochemical and oil & gas companies in particular are already
seeing the business benefits of IoT to monitor potentially hazardous
materials in unpowered environments including rail tank cars and
tank containers.
For example, global petrochemicals supplier SABIC is equipping its
entire European fleet of 500 chemical rail tank cars with the ATEXcertified Ovinto Sat tracking and monitoring technology to reduce
risk and optimise its supply chain. The new solution enables SABIC
to track each vehicle on its journey in real time and supports SABIC
Asset Management
in its constant focus on safety. This technology helps SABIC to
maximise the value and efficiency of its assets, while partners and
customers can reliably know when the materials they require will
arrive.
Judith Kleinen, category manager land transport & spot shipping
supply chain, chemicals at SABIC, explained: “SABIC is a major
provider of petrochemicals with customers who use our chemicals
and plastics for many different applications. One of the
transportation means we use is our fleet of rail tank cars. Keeping
track of a large fleet of these cars, dispersed all over Europe, is
crucial.
“The cars contain all sorts of materials, so it is absolutely critical
that we have the ability to track and monitor their status and their
contents at all times,” she continued.
The ATEX Ovinto Sat solution provides oil, gas and chemical
industry customers with details about cargo being transported and
its condition, including pressure and temperature, whether it is in
the correct location, or has been impacted due to a crash or
derailment. Satellite is the preferred option for such communications
due to its availability, reliability and low power consumption
compared to GSM.
“It can be challenging sometimes to get real-time information
regarding our rail tank cars. We got in touch with Ovinto who
offered a new way to track and trace via the Globalstar satellite
network. The fact that the (solution) of Ovinto guaranteed global
coverage via satellite, combined with the highest ATEX level makes it
unique and for us the best solution,” Kleinen added.
If an accident occurs, Ovinto Sat’s continuous satellite connectivity
ensures everyone in the supply chain, as well as the emergency
services, know the location of the rail car, whether it has been
impacted due to a crash, is leaking or whether it is at a safe pressure
and temperature.
In another example, Identec Solutions helps businesses in the oil &
gas industry manage their land-based and offshore assets using a
different hybrid mix. One of Identec’s technology breakthroughs is its
use of both satellite technology as well as active RFID features. This
hybrid multi-frequency capability means that users can take
advantage of low power and long range active RFID transmissions as
well as reliable satellite transmissions. The system dynamically
switches transmission types to deliver uninterrupted tracking
visibility. The first ever ATEX-certified, multi-frequency asset tracking
solution, it also provides valuable metrics on movement, instantly
reporting whether the asset has experienced damage or shock.
Hybrid or satellite-only, the flexibility and usability of devices is
critical. M2M devices need to be truly customisable so they can be
programmed to ensure the right messages get to the right recipients
in the most reliable and understandable way possible.
The ways in which the Internet of things can be applied is limited
only by the imaginations of people who need to monitor ‘things’.
They say that necessity is the mother of invention and so we eagerly
anticipate discovering new ways in which IoT, enhanced by the reach
and reliability of satellite commun