GPS, GPRS and RFID
Real-time visibility of each Cargobox shipment can be achieved with the following components:
Semi-active tags in combination with tag readers installed in warehouses and cargo centers enable "long distance" automatic detection of Cargobox upon their arrival within the range of the interrogator or tag reader. For "short distance" interaction, a handheld PDA can be used to communicate with the tag enclosed in the Cargobox' Lockbar. All parties involved in the "shipper to consignee" supply chain can have - upon duly authorization - access to the information, either partially or in full, stored in the so-called EPCIS (Electronic Product Code Info System) that is part of an interconnected chain of computer databases. Information regarding the content of a shipment will not be included in the Cargosyst software and will remain in the database of the shipper.
In addition to RFID and related PDA communication, GPS and GPRS can be used to track each Cargobox and related shipments around the globe. The selection of a network depends on local circumstances and possibilities. The fast growing global capacity of the GPRS networks with its combination of cable and wireless connections, offers transfer of large amounts of data at very low cost. It is self-evident that also existing satellite-based networks can remain to be used.
The combination of hardware and software provides the ultimate streamlining of the logistics processes around the air shipment of goods. In addition, it prevents pilferage and damage, decreases transport costs and substantially enhances security for millions of daily airline passengers.
With this infrastructure in place, each Cargobox can be tracked throughout each facility. Alarms can automatically be generated when unauthorized movements take place. For inventory control, tags report their presence on a periodic basis. New items are added to the inventory simply by moving them into the warehouse. In this way, actual and accurate (daily) updates to the entire inventory are automatically generated.
Also, because the Cargobox is "intelligent", tampering and damage can be tracked and assessed to the responsible party. Currently airlines face tremendous difficulties in the management of circulating ULDs (Unit Loading Devices), such as pallets and containers is a huge problem because they are not equipped with a tracking device. Therefore, damage to and losses of containers are difficult to assess to the responsible party. The Cargobox Software offers an adequate solution. As soon as the required infrastructure has been installed every Cargobox (and if provided with a tag, any other ULD) is continuously visible, and enables the Cargosyst Software to determine where and when an unwanted event occurred.
Cargosyst
- RFID tags: To be installed in the Lockbar of each Cargobox (active tag type)
- Fixed tag reader: To be installed in warehouses (number depending on floor space and other circumstances)
- PDA-based tag reader: Handheld device to communicate with tags installed in the Cargobox' Lockbar. The PDA contains a barcode reader, a tag reader and a field generator.
- Infrastructure: The existing computer network at each site, such as warehouses, manufacturing sites and distribution centers and dedicated site managers.
- Cargosyst: The web-based System which allows, among other features, to track-and-trace all relevant Cargoboxes.
Semi-active tags in combination with tag readers installed in warehouses and cargo centers enable "long distance" automatic detection of Cargobox upon their arrival within the range of the interrogator or tag reader. For "short distance" interaction, a handheld PDA can be used to communicate with the tag enclosed in the Cargobox' Lockbar. All parties involved in the "shipper to consignee" supply chain can have - upon duly authorization - access to the information, either partially or in full, stored in the so-called EPCIS (Electronic Product Code Info System) that is part of an interconnected chain of computer databases. Information regarding the content of a shipment will not be included in the Cargosyst software and will remain in the database of the shipper.
In addition to RFID and related PDA communication, GPS and GPRS can be used to track each Cargobox and related shipments around the globe. The selection of a network depends on local circumstances and possibilities. The fast growing global capacity of the GPRS networks with its combination of cable and wireless connections, offers transfer of large amounts of data at very low cost. It is self-evident that also existing satellite-based networks can remain to be used.
The combination of hardware and software provides the ultimate streamlining of the logistics processes around the air shipment of goods. In addition, it prevents pilferage and damage, decreases transport costs and substantially enhances security for millions of daily airline passengers.
With this infrastructure in place, each Cargobox can be tracked throughout each facility. Alarms can automatically be generated when unauthorized movements take place. For inventory control, tags report their presence on a periodic basis. New items are added to the inventory simply by moving them into the warehouse. In this way, actual and accurate (daily) updates to the entire inventory are automatically generated.
Also, because the Cargobox is "intelligent", tampering and damage can be tracked and assessed to the responsible party. Currently airlines face tremendous difficulties in the management of circulating ULDs (Unit Loading Devices), such as pallets and containers is a huge problem because they are not equipped with a tracking device. Therefore, damage to and losses of containers are difficult to assess to the responsible party. The Cargobox Software offers an adequate solution. As soon as the required infrastructure has been installed every Cargobox (and if provided with a tag, any other ULD) is continuously visible, and enables the Cargosyst Software to determine where and when an unwanted event occurred.
Cargosyst
