Whether it's hardware, data volumes, or wireless technologies, companies have to clarify many detailed questions when designing an IoT business model. The IoT Connectivity Guide provides the answers.
A shipment of coffee has just arrived at the port of Santos, about an hour and a half's drive from the Brazilian metropolis of São Paulo: fresh Arabica beans from the highlands of Sul de Minas. This is a valuable commodity, as unfavorable weather conditions have recently caused crop yields to decline. This is one of the reasons why the purchase price for a pound of coffee beans has more than doubled within two years, according to the International Coffee Organization. In addition, the pandemic has clouded the balance sheet: the number of employees falling ill has risen, there are too few containers available, and freight rates have increased.
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To retain an overview of shipments and supply chains logistics enterprises are increasingly relying on the Internet of Things (IoT). They ship the raw coffee in ventilated containers that are fitted out with an IoT tracker before departure. The tracker contains sensors and a wireless module and collects information about the air circulation and temperature inside the container en route. There is thus a continuous record of whether the beans are protected from harmful moisture and heat. This data is transmitted to the cloud via the cellular network and all concerned have access to the data via a Web portal, are informed immediately about fluctuations or external influences and can take immediate remedial action. If, for instance, there are unscheduled stops en route or system readings indicate that the goods may arrive perished, the recipient can notify his customers in good time.
To really make full use of the IoT tracker’s benefits coffee importers must first clarify further issues. Over a distance of 10,000 km, factors such as global availability or a tariff that functions without hitches across borders make a big difference.
Shipping coffee is an example of the complex requirements of an IoT project. That is why globally active enterprises must start by defining their own needs and expectations and then implement an individual matching solution. The right mobile communication standard for tracking containers will depend, for example, on both the deployment location and the volume of data to be transmitted.
The NarrowBand IoT (NB-IoT) mobile communication standard scores points with very low energy consumption and a very high level of building penetration. These are especially important factors when transmitting from the belly of a container vessel or the depths of a warehouse. To monitor the transportation of goods LTE-M is a further contender. In addition to low-cost hardware and enough battery life for lengthy shipping routes it provides sufficient bandwidth for midrange data volumes.
To ensure a fail-safe cross-border connection and seamless data transmission the tracker’s wireless module must be able to rely on roaming. On crossing borders the SIM card must log into the next network automatically.
Mobil roaming for IoT applications makes sense if…
Although international network operators conclude roaming agreements with each other, problems can occur en route, such as if countries prohibit permanent data roaming or the transmission of positioning data. In these cases local breakout solutions and eSIM cards solve the problem by automatically adjusting profiles to comply with local regulations. Once all these challenges have been dealt with, the forwarder in the port of Hamburg can take delivery of the Arabica beans and send them on by truck to the roasting house.
What is already in use in logistics or construction, in energy supply or digital farming can also benefit companies in other industries. The focus of technological development is on networked work that is simplified by smart applications. The overview that is required is then provided by the internal IoT platform, which bundles all information on the individual sub-processes as an interface between hard- and software.
Deutsche Telekom has the right solutions for IoT projects of all kinds. In addition to the hard- and software they include our IoT tariffs, which are geared to specific requirements in terms of bandwidth, frequency, security or payment model.
Would you like to know more about what you need to be aware of in connecting your products via the cell network? Which hurdles you need to clear in an international rollout? Or how best to manage your connections and their IoT components? You will all the answers in our free IoT Connectivity Guide whitepaper.
Would you like to learn more about what you need to consider when connecting your products via mobile networks? What hurdles you need to overcome during an international rollout? Or how to manage your IoT components? You'll find all the answers in our free white paper "IoT Connectivity Guide."
The right IoT connectivity coordinates IoT connections across platforms, integrates devices and data via API, and enables global control with the highest security standards. You can manage your IoT projects flexibly, efficiently, and independently of manufacturers.
Having been with Telekom since 2008, Ümit possesses a comprehensive understanding of various facets of the Internet of Things. He has a keen interest in the digital transformation of the business world. On this blog, he shares insights into the latest developments and trends in the IoT sector that provide genuine value to customers.
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