Calling for collection: Smart data protection bins

The smart data bin automatically sends volume readings to the cloud.

31.10.2019 by Florian Marte

Together with Deutsche Telekom, the logistics service provider Rhenus has developed a smart way to know exactly the right time to pick up its data protection containers – the IoT solution the Level Checker.

It’s one meter high with a capacity of 250 liters in polished aluminum yet is often overlooked: the data protection container. Ubiquitous in offices across Germany, there are hundreds of thousands of these secure bins on wheels everywhere from corridors to copy rooms. Their job is to store confidential paper documents until they are due to be destroyed.

OPTIMIZING PICK-UP

And that’s just what companies such as Rhenus SE & Co. KG are paid to do. The logistics service provider from western Germany brings the data protection bins directly to its customers and then collects them again before disposing of the contents in accordance with GDPR. Currently, this process usually follows a fixed cycle – something Rhenus saw could be optimized. Often the containers were only half full in some cases, but at other locations they were overflowing. The alternative isn’t much of an improvement: Requiring customer employees to keep an eye on how full the containers are and call Rhenus with enough advance notice to ensure they can be collected when full. Simply to answer these customer calls, the company has to operate its own call center.

Rhenus lacked automated information on the fill levels of its containers. Although there are digital gauges on the market, they are too expensive to be used on a larger scale. In addition, they usually work with ultrasound, an energy-intensive technology – so the battery has to be replaced frequently. The solution? Together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML and T-Systems at Fraunhofer Enterprise Labs in Dortmund (see box), Rhenus developed a cost-effective meter for document shredding containers.

The Fraunhofer Enterprise Labs was founded in 2013. Together with Fraunhofer IML, Rhenus and Telekom, companies such as Commerzbank, the European Pallet Association (EPAL), Dachser Logistics, the BMW Group, DB Schenker and the Würth Group operate this joint research institution for industry and science.

Rhenus attaches the Level Checker to the paper container directly below the lid. Its sensor is directed into the interior and detects the fill level via infrared. Different measuring points are possible (e.g. half full, 60%, 80%). The wireless module of the device is located on the outside of the lid. The device uses the NarrowBand IoT (NB-IoT) machine and sensor network to transmit the readings. This new mobile communications standard for the Internet of Things (IoT) is designed to transmit small amounts of data in an energy-saving manner. Depending on the transmission frequency, the wireless module can therefore operate for up to five years with a regular battery. In addition, NB-IoT also reliably transmits data both from massive factory halls and file archives in basements.

ALL CONTAINERS UNDER CONTROL

Depending on customer requirements, the Level Checker sends the readings to the Cloud of Things, Deutsche Telekom's IoT platform, either at regular intervals or set volume thresholds. The data stored there includes which customer, on what floor or in which office a bin is located, as well as the wireless module it has been assigned in the Rhenus SAP system. A dispatcher at the logistics company can group all containers by customer or location, for example, and view fill levels and battery status of the modules for each individual bin using the cloud platform’s dashboard.

Alerts can also be defined, such as an initial notification at 60 percent full and another at 80 percent. These alerts are sent automatically via email or through the API interface of the Cloud of Things into the ERP backend of the service provider. This way enables the optimization of collection routes – meaning customers aren’t disturbed until the containers are actually full. “Rhenus can use the sensor data to precisely plan pickups and disposals,” says Rami Avidan, responsible for the IoT business at T-Systems. “Our IoT platform Cloud of Things provides the data for this in a user-friendly way. This makes it easier to map and control processes. And companies can reduce costs by planning ahead.”

The benefits of smart data protection containers

Universally useable and with plug & play functionality
Optimizes and documents the collection process
Low and fixed costs provide budgetary planning security
New NB-IoT wireless technology enables high building penetration
Suitable for industrial use thanks to robust hardware and protection class IP55
Long operating life with no maintenance or battery replacement
Convenient IoT platform can be easily integrated into backend systems

Digital volume measurements: The Level Checker is mounted in the lid of the data bin.

“Rhenus can now offer its customers even better service: Once a container is full, the pick-up service is already on its way,” says Dr. Werner Kremer, the project’s manager at T-Systems. “Too early – or too late – pick-ups are a thing of the past.” But the Level Checker doesn’t only help with route optimization. It’s a complete solution consisting of device, connectivity, IoT platform and service that’s designed to be cost-effective for widespread deployment. After the first test phase, Rhenus plans to equip 100,000 data protection bins with the sensors by the end of 2019.

Florian Marte

Florian Marte
Head of IoT Marketing Communication

Since 2014 Florian Marte has been part of the T-Systems team. In his position as head of IoT Marketing Communication he is very familiar with all topics related to the Internet of Things. His articles for the blog are focussed on new developments and trends concerning connected devices and data analytics.

Florian Marte Florian Marte
Head of IoT Marketing Communication