The inherent challenges of shipping and monitoring cargo along the supply chain are bad enough. When they’re further compounded by computer chip shortages, high fuel prices, theft, and other supply chain security issues, it really reinforces the need to have better monitoring systems. In the end, technology has truly revolutionized supply chain management. With the assistance of gadgets, it’s more efficient and simpler than ever before in our history. Incorporating such gadgets into your business to keep a close eye on inventory levels, track shipments easier, and manage your resources, you can react quickly to changes and keep things running as smoothly as possible. In this article, we’ll take a look at five tech gadgets that can help you revolutionize your own supply chain and monitor it more effectively.
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Impact Monitors
Using impact monitors/recorders for damage assessment in your supply chain is critical for being proactive about preventing problems. Impact monitors are small devices that fit within your cargo and are able to withstand a certain amount of force. When the force acting on your cargo exceeds the impact monitor’s limit, it will set off the device and prompt an investigation. Using these simple little devices means you can ensure quality across the entire transport route, mitigate problems effectively, prevent issues, and find the source of unseen damage to your cargo. Impact monitors in shock recorders come in different types and styles, so find the one that’s best for you and implement it as quickly as you can to start protecting your shipments right now. Protecting your shipments is one step you can take to help attenuate supply chain stress and ensure better quality goods.
Tilt Sensors
Tilt sensors are another valuable gadget for managing your logistics. In the past few years alone, bottlenecks, driver shortages, and issues with raw materials have made an indelible mark on the supply chain as we know it. Unfortunately, other issues—like tilts, vibration, and shocks—can cause untold damage to your cargo. A tilt sensor is a device that can be used to measure the angle at which an object is tilted. This information is useful for managing supply chains and preventing damage while goods are in transit. Think about it this way: if a truck carrying goods starts tipping over, the tilt sensor can detect it. The sensor then sends a signal to operators at your company to help them take action before any damage occurs.
UV Lights
You’ve undoubtedly heard about using temperature loggers, impact indicators, vibration loggers to monitor your cargo. But have you considered ultraviolet lights (UV)?
They can help track inventory and ensure that products remain in good condition. UV lights can also help to prevent product fraud (it’s already extensively used in checks and cash for security purposes). In logistics, UV lights are a good way to detect counterfeit products in the supply chain. Companies like the industry-leading SpotSee recently developed UV lights that can integrate with any internet of things (IoT) platform and help companies identify fake products. UV lights like this are typically very easy to use and often attach to mobile devices. When you’re looking for another way to prevent fraud, counterfeits, and attract things, consider UV lights as part of your supply chain toolbox.
Temperature Indicators
Since you’re dealing with logistics in the cold supply chain, it only makes sense that monitoring temperature should be a top priority. That’s where temperature indicators, or time temperature indicators, can be a useful gadget for assessing temperature conditions throughout your transport systems. Temperature indicators can be single use ones that give you a glimpse of time temperature abuse at certain dedicated temperature threshold. They can also come as precision based indicators that can do a little bit more. It ultimately depends on your needs and what your shipping. Either way, using a simple temperature indicator is a good idea for any shipments going to and from your warehouses and along your supply chain.
Trip Visualization Software
Managing a supply chain can definitely be challenging. Using monitoring tools, best practices, and well-trained employees to keep it going is all par for the chorus. But you can also use data visualization tools to help manage and monitor supply chains. Some of these might include mapping tools, simulation tools, and data visualizers. Selecting the right tool for the job comes down to understanding your needs and assessing how such tools will integrate with your standard operating procedures. Mapping tools can be used to create visual representations of your supply chain network. You can use these visualizations to identify potential problems. Simulation tools allow you to model different scenarios and see how they might impact your supply chain. Data visualization tools give you insight into trends and patterns that might not otherwise be apparent. By using these various visualization techniques, you can gain a much clearer understanding of your supply chain performing and take the necessary steps to enhance/improve it as needed.
Also Read: Supply Chain Technology: The 6 Most Relevant Trends
