ORBCOMM Improves Cold Chain Telematics

ORBCOMM Inc., a leading global provider of supply chain IoT technology, is leveraging its market leadership and expertise in cold chain telematics to provide a higher level of visibility, compliance and cargo integrity for all types of refrigerated vehicles moving across the cold chain in Europe. ORBCOMM’s new RT 8000 solution, which is expected to be commercially available this summer, will automate customers’ operations with enhanced connectivity, faster access to more data and wireless sensors to digitise cold chain decision making.

ORBCOMM’s next-generation RT 8000 will significantly improve how European cold chain operators in the food distribution, retail logistics and pharmaceutical industries track and monitor their temperature-controlled cargo. As part of a comprehensive cold chain telematics solution that includes sensors, connectivity and the state-of-the-art ORBCOMM platform, the RT 8000 will enable comprehensive temperature monitoring, fuel management, preventative maintenance, remote control and more.

The unit is designed with the goal of reducing the frequency of field replacement. By leveraging access to real-time and historical data along with event-based alerts, shippers and carriers will be able to make informed decisions about their refrigerated business in real time. With the RT 8000, refrigerated fleets will improve operational efficiency and ensure that products moving along the cold chain meet regulatory compliance and maintain integrity, reducing claims over cargo loss and damage.

The enhanced RT 8000 solution will feature faster, superior connectivity, increased memory and three embedded SIMs, enabling fleets to collect more reefer data at a higher speed and cost-effective rates. The solution’s future-proofed technology will also increase reporting reliability and longevity. The improved EN 12830 compliance for the RT 8000 and its peripherals will enable customers to fully meet the European standard supporting cold chain traceability. In addition, the solution’s multiple new interfaces will make it easy for customers to support any visibility, usage, productivity, security or EBS/TMPS application for optimal versatility.

Comprehensive wireless sensor support for temperature and door and the integration of Tractor ID for automated tractor/trailer pairing will facilitate easy installation, enabling fleets to seamlessly upgrade their cold chain management with additional functionality. Lastly, the ruggedised RT 8000 with IP67-rating is designed to operate under extreme environmental conditions and contains an internal battery back-up to enable reporting without external power.

“We look forward to bringing ORBCOMM’s next-generation RT 8000 to the European cold chain industry later this year, enabling refrigerated fleets to gain greater visibility, compliance and control of their operations,” said Christian Allred, ORBCOMM’s Executive Vice President of International Sales. “With the enhanced connectivity, interoperability and bandwidth, the RT 8000 will allow fleets to access more data, make faster control decisions and reduce the potential for cargo spoilage, all of which will help improve their bottom line.”