May / June 2021
Asset Management
Orbcomm wins two down under
Internet of Things ( IoT ) supplier Orbcomm , which is to be acquired by GI Partners , has picked up orders in recent months from two Australian logistics firms . Booth Transport , a national freight and logistics service provider , is using Orbcomm asset tracking solutions to monitor its fleet of ISO tanks , road tankers and chassis . Orbcomm ’ s solutions provide wireless connectivity through its hardware and a single , unified cloud-based analytics platform for optimal fleet management across different asset types . The technology firm ’ s asset monitoring solution features a high-sensitivity solar panel and includes some units with a wired temperature sensor to gain complete visibility and control over a mixed fleet . Orbcomm enables Booth to monitor the temperature of dairy products in its ISO tanks , and track its road tankers distributing wine and chassis transporting containers throughout the Australian continent . The logistics company can access live and scheduled status updates whether the assets are in transit or in the yard , so the company always knows where its assets are located and if they are empty or loaded , so improving turn times and yard management while saving drivers time and fuel . Orbcomm ’ s telematics solution also provides Booth with the ability to see precise data to schedule asset maintenance , inspections and time elapsed for increased utilisation and performance . “ We ’ re excited to work with Booth Transport , Australia ’ s top bulk food , container transport and logistics provider , to help its gain critical in-transit visibility and improve the productivity of its diverse fleet ,” said Christian Allred , Orbcomm ’ s senior vice president and general manager of global sales . “ With our triple-play offering , customers like Booth can leverage the Orbcomm platform to streamline how it manages multiple asset types , reduce the complexity of operations while taking advantage of deep data insights to help the business run smarter .” “ We needed a fully integrated telematics solution with flexible APIs to manage our mixed fleet ,” said Mitchell Booth for Booth Transport . “ Orbcomm ’ s powerful platform creates an intelligent logistics environment that enables us to track and monitor multiple asset classes seamlessly through one comprehensive view . “ Our investment in this powerful IoT technology is already benefiting our bottom line by generating significant efficiencies , improving the
Orbcomm enables Booth to monitor the temperature of dairy products in its ISO tanks and track road tankers distributing wine
safety and compliance of our fleet and enhancing service to our customers , which is our top priority .” The Orbcomm devices can be installed externally in about 10 minutes , even when the asset is loaded , making Booth ’ s deployments quick and efficient with minimal disruption to operations . Booth is in the process of installing the asset tracking solutions at its 10 depots throughout Australia and expects to explore Orbcomm ’ s other IoT products as part of its efforts to expand their deployment later this year .
McColl ’ s Transport is Australia ’ s largest independent bulk liquid carrier of milk , food and bulk chemicals
McColl ’ s
The second contract win is with McColl ’ s Transport , Australia ’ s largest independent bulk liquid carrier of milk , food and bulk chemicals . Orbcomm is providing its asset tracking solutions to monitor ISO tanks throughout the continent . McColl ’ s is also using Orbcomm ’ s telematics solution with the ability to track unpowered assets being transported by chassis and rail to improve utilisation and productivity , streamline operations and expedite product delivery . Like Booth , McColl ’ s can monitor and control the temperature of liquids in its ISO tanks and monitor when the tanks are being pumped . “ Our commitment to technology innovation has been an integral part of McColl ’ s growth and scalability for more than 60 years ,” said Peter Shearer , general manager for McColl ’ s , “ and Orbcomm ’ s leading IoT technology is the best choice for helping us take our business to the next level of productivity and efficiency . “ By improving visibility of the location and status of our ISO tanks and building greater efficiencies into our operations , we can uphold our long-time reputation for reliable service , world-class compliance and stringent safety standards .” “ It ’ s a great testament to the value and high performance of Orbcomm ’ s asset tracking solutions to be selected by McColl ’ s Transport , Australia ’ s leading tanker transporter , as its telematics provider ,” added Christian Allred . In April GI Partners , a US-based investor in data infrastructure businesses , announced it is buying Orbcomm for US $ 1.1 billion , including net debt . The finance outfit said it will support Orbcomm ’ s momentum in the industrial IoT market by increasing investment in sales , marketing and technology innovation to accelerate the company ’ s growth and global expansion , as well as providing added flexibility as a privately-held company .
www . orbcomm . com
BULKDISTRIBUTOR
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Tracking IBCs
Industrial packaging firm Greif has launched real time tracking technology for composite IBCs in its drive to help customers increase performance , reduce costs and improve their carbon footprint . Developed in conjunction with French specialist in IoT monitoring solutions , Nanolike , the GCUBE Connect smart packaging technology provides real time tracking information about a user ’ s IBC . A customer-based dashboard displays in real-time where an IBC is located , the level of the filled product and the environmental temperature . “ The combination of real time geolocation and filled product level data enhances the proactive information that an IBC can provide to fillers ,” said Luca Bettoni , EMEA IBC and plastic product manager at Greif .
www . nanolike . com
Barton opts for Microlise
UK fuel distributor Barton Petroleum has deployed the Microlise Fleet Performance solution to improve safety and driver performance and deliver greater efficiency across its fleet . The Microlise fleet tracking and utilisation solution will improve the fleet ’ s real-time visibility and routing efficiency , enhance driver and customer communication and support better driving performance and safer , more compliant practices . Detailed driver performance data across a range of behaviours that impact on safety , emissions , fuel usage and miles per gallon ( MPG ) including speeding , engine idling , gear operation , overrevving , harsh braking , use of cruise control and coasting as well as a dashboard with live performance indicators will support improved team performance . According to Howard Marriott , Barton ’ s group transport manager : “ By partnering with Microlise , and using this integrated solution , we are ensuring that we equip our fleet with a best-inclass safety , compliance and fleet management solution that will deliver a quantifiable ROI .”
www . microlise . com
Bulkio cuts empty miles
For years , logistics service provider Van transport ,” said Pirke van den Elsen , managing den Bosch has been offering transport director . “ It offers benefits in a broad sense . It orders to more than 800 bulk carriers via its not only simplifies administration and payment , online platform FreightMatch .
Bulkio is also an empty miles broker . For carriers , Supported by this experience , FreightMatch is we actively search for the match between an now ready to continue independently as a digital empty trailer and an available shipment . This platform . This big step is accompanied by a ultimately leads to higher transport revenues for change of name to Bulkio . The platform went carriers . For shippers we offer a full guarantee live on 14 April and since that moment anyone that the shipment will be executed .” can offer bulk shipments via Bulkio .
At the moment 25,000 shipments are placed Bulk carriers drive up to 40 percent of the total on the market every year , Van den Elsen added . distance with an empty trailer , which is a waste , “ The fact that other parties are now able to post according to Bulkio . That is why the platform bulk shipments – in addition to Van den Bosch matches those empty miles to available bulk – will accelerate growth . The technology behind transports by making smart use of data . The the Bulkio platform is designed for this . Thanks platform takes into account the specific to the support of 80 parameters , advanced requirements that apply to bulk transport so that algorithms and smart sensors , the team can carriers drive more full miles and shippers have quickly find the right matches .” shipments carried out at a more favourable rate . Van den Elsen believes shippers will “ This platform is specifically designed for bulk increasingly distribute their transports via
Bulkio matches empty miles to available bulk transports by making smart use of data
platforms in the future . “ The success for Van den Bosch proves the potential benefits for other shippers . By making smart use of technology , we build a large community of carriers and shippers that we can bring together .
That is how we reduce the number of empty miles for carriers and the transport costs for shippers .”
www . bulkio . com