New Zealand's biggest freight and logistics company Mainfreight has begun using a new Internet of Things Asset Tracking Service developed by telco Spark.
A statement from Spark said the service used its extensive IoT networks, cost-effective IoT devices, digital monitoring dashboards and a support service provided by its own daytime help-desk.
Businesses which want to keep track of their assets have to pay a one-off device fee and an ongoing monthly subscription cost per connected device. The service is delivered in three monthly subscription packages based on business needs – essential, plus or advanced.
Spark’s Digital Services lead Michael Stribling (below, right) said asset tracking was consistently ranked as a top use case for IoT across consumer, business and industrial markets.
{loadposition sam08}“Industry forecasts indicate the number of devices using tracking location will grow by 40% in the next two years," he said. "However mainstream adoption has been slow due to high cost, the complexity of deployment, technology limitations and the small number of technology providers offering scaled IoT solutions.
The main interface of the asset-tracking device.
“Our move into providing an end-to-end IoT Asset Tracking service means we’re providing businesses with key digital services that will allow them the best chance to innovate and succeed in a digital world.
“Spark’s scale and expertise in the IoT industry and our newly launched nationwide networks means we’ve been able to launch a product that is competitively priced, and we can provide proven guidance to businesses on how to deploy and adopt IoT that fits their needs.”
Mainfreight is among the 14% of New Zealand businesses who have deployed an IoT solution and early adoption has helped rank New Zealand as the fourth most IoT ready country in the G20, despite its relatively small GDP and population.
Stribling said Mainfreight was a prime example of how a business could use data derived from an IoT solution to solve everyday problems and make smarter business decisions.
“Mainfreight’s supply chain is in better order thanks to IoT. By keeping a closer eye on their segregation bins across all depots they know if they’re under-utilised and can choose to relocate them as well as ensuring they are where they should be at the right time," he said.