TE News: Asset-Tracking Systems from TE at Intermodal Europe 2018

NECKARTENZLINGEN, Germany – 22 October 2018 – At this year's Intermodal Europe from 6 to 8 November in Rotterdam, TE Connectivity (TE), a world leader in connectivity and sensors, will present the latest generation of its asset-tracking modules under the new product brand HIRSCHMANN MOBILITY for tracking containers and swap bodies in intermodal freight traffic. At stand B76, visitors will learn how to implement transparent and secure data-sharing throughout the entire logistical value creation chain.

Channeling the flow of information with big data analysis

From trucks and containers to pallets and employees, anything and anyone can become a "smart device" in today's digital supply chain. The evaluation of the flow of information associated with this is generally limited to locations such as warehouses, container yards or freight centers. What actually happens during the transportation of goods by road or by rail, however, remains a grey area in terms of data. The challenge: once you leave the warehouse or freight center it’s difficult to track data along the route in real time. Especially when the goods travel long distances across different countries with dead spots and changing connectivity standards. The latest generation of intelligent asset-tracking modules from the HIRSCHMANN MOBILITY HS3000 series from TE Connectivity will make that easier.

The seamless tracking of containers and swap bodies as well as the consistent monitoring of the freight along the entire supply chain, from loading at the warehouse right through to the last mile along the route, is the central focus of asset-tracking solutions from TE Connectivity. These solutions fill in digital gaps in information between service providers, fleet management, shipment, cold-chain tracking and many more freight traffic interfaces.

"Precisely filtering out the most important data from the huge volume of complex big data resources at exactly the right time is one of the main challenges of digitalized, intermodal freight traffic. Ultimately, every second gained and lost has an impact on profit", explained Heinz-Hermann Tiben, director of Product Line Solutions at TE Connectivity. "Our asset-tracking systems cover the entire ecosystem of Logistics 4.0 with hardware and software solutions for telematics and the integration of all process partners. Everyone involved in the value creation network benefits from this: freight companies, dispatchers, freight carriers and other service providers, right through to the end customer."

For a pallet, trailer or container to be turned into a "smart object," the data recorded must be forwarded without any disruption. The HIRSCHMANN MOBILITY asset-tracking solutions can be configured such that all information is fed directly to the systems operated by different customers and telematics service providers. In addition to these direct connections, telematics platforms/portals and time management services can also use the information collected automatically for even more precise processes.

Continuous monitoring with state-of-the-art technology

The asset-tracking solutions that will be presented at the trade show are characterized by the scalable recording of location and sensor data. This can be set to intervals of up to two minutes, or can be activated when defined thresholds are reached and exceeded. The sensors for measuring temperature, humidity and light are connected via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). This technology uses battery-operated tags to continuously send a unique ID to the readers. The movement data that has been collected is transmitted – in addition to other events – every 15 minutes, even if the freight or networked device is stationary.

TE Connectivity’s HIRSCHMANN MOBILITY products, formerly Hirschmann Car Communication (HCC), provide some of the world’s leading antenna, tuner, infotainment, M2M and telematics technologies for automobile and commercial vehicles communications and connectivity through its two product lines automotive and solutions.