IoT Technology Offers
Solutions for Supply
Chain Woes

Digital and Physical Storefront Benefits

More clarity and transparency always improve operations, and the same can be said with asset tracking. Storefronts, online businesses and local vendors might not be the ones placing the tags or tracking a shipment across an ocean, but those organizations still benefit from tag tracking. When an order, asset, pallet or any other tracked item enters the system, it now has a digital history detailing all movements, which gives the endpoint store a better estimate of when the items will arrive. Overall, this process allows businesses to have a more accurate picture of their inventory which is key especially around the holiday season.

The improvements at the distributor or manufacturer level also benefit endpoint stores. Fewer issues further up the supply chain ultimately means fewer issues at the end of the chain and during crunch seasons such as the holidays. When stores have more customers than any other time of the year and inventory is already low, any system that improves holiday operations will result in better margins. In addition, the tag tracking system lets manufacturers find missing items more quickly and can analyze and improve work-in-process (WIP) tracking so that the entire process runs faster.

Real-World Scenarios for Asset Tracking

While IoT tags were mainly developed for shipping and supply chain uses, there are other real-life examples of this technology flourishing.

• Machines do most of the heavy lifting in warehouses, but those machines need repairs and regular maintenance to perform safely. Battery-less tags also work on machinery, and users can set up alerts when it is time for a particular machine to receive updated maintenance. The same network that tracks orders coming and going can track individual machines for detailed data that keeps the warehouse in top shape. Any connected device will merge into the network and become part of the data dashboard to create specific alerts, reminders and functions. 
• Some of the highest trafficked places in today also handle the highest volume of goods coming and going. Malls and airports, for example, see some of the greatest quantities and highest-profile shipments out of commonplaces. With so much cargo transporting to different locations, having a simple tracking system in place can prevent many inefficiencies and bottlenecks. Malls similarly deal with a high volume, but the cargo must move through a customer-facing space that adds complexities. 

• E-commerce websites may not have a public-facing footprint, but the goods must be stored and shipped to customers from wherever the inventory is held. Many online stores hope to receive what they ordered to fulfill customer orders and end the day with a proper inventory count, but logistical issues can ruin those plans. Even if deliveries cannot be perfect, an asset tracking system will let store owners know precisely how much inventory they have on hand to prevent overselling items that don’t exist. Knowing asset count quickly helps companies know if they should try overstocking a specific item if inventory is low to prepare for the future. 

The pandemic put pressure on the supply chain, but the current issues are pushing the situation even further. Many factors have led to this less-than-ideal situation, but the pressure has pushed solutions like IoT tracking to find workarounds. No one technology can fix port issues or domestic shipping woes, but asset tracking can make the overall process smoother and more straightforward. High intensity seasons such as the holidays can make upgrades, improvements and advancements an even higher priority as businesses look to helpful tools to help navigate the end-of-year chaos. Many small issues and slowdowns can be removed with the power of Bluetooth^® networks and battery-less tags that do not put an extra burden on users. IoT technology solutions are here to stay, and who knows what industry development will come next.