How IoT is transforming cold chain cargo at Bengaluru Airport

An Internet of Things (IoT) based solution to monitor temperature-controlled cargo is enabling real-time supply chain visibility at the Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru Airport. Currently available at Menzies Aviation Bobba Bangalore (MABB), one of the Cargo Terminals at BLR Airport, the technology will enable live monitoring of temperature-sensitive products such as pharmaceutical and perishables, including fruits, vegetables, meat, sea food, dairy products, cut flowers and. so on

The solution will not only benefit the pharmaceutical & perishable food industry in Bengaluru, but also play a part in strengthening BLR Airport’s reputation as South India’ s preferred Cargo Gateway, said a statement from Bengaluru Airport.

The TAGBOX-developed technology will provide shippers and agents real-time temperature data of the shipment from the time it leaves the warehouse to the point it is loaded onto an aircraft at BLR Airport. The battery-powered Tag360 sensor, attached to each small SKU, box, or pallet tracks the product’s temperature, at every step of the journey. Shippers and agents can monitor the end-to-end health of their products through a central monitoring dashboard via a web or mobile interface.

The temperature data gathered from the sensors can be used to create valuable insights on efficient operations and resource management leading to improved customer service. IoT-based sensors capture other critical product parameters and instantly send SMS and / or e-mail alerts. With this, the shipper will be able to take corrective actions, instantly. Remote temperature monitoring also allows companies to enhance visibility of the product and meet regulatory compliance.

“At BIAL, we firmly believe in digitalising processes to create transparency and real-time visibility, while improving overall efficiency. End-to-end visibility has become a prerequisite for any supply chain. We are pleased to collaborate with our partners to enable this at BLR Airport,” said Satyaki Raghunath, chief strategy and development officer, BIAL.

“In order to maintain end-to-end transparency of the shipments processed through our Cold Zone, MABB, in association with BIAL, had conducted a POCs on few Pharma shipments by using the TagBox solution. It turned to be a perfect solution, providing us a satisfactory result. The implementation of this solution has added value to our cold chain supply process and more importantly for the pharma shipments at our Cold Zone,” said Anil Kumar, chief executive officer, Menzies Aviation Bobba (Bangalore) Pvt Ltd.

How IoT Technology at Bengaluru Airport works

• The pallets at shipper locations are fitted with Tag360 sensors that measure temperature.
• The sensor starts recording temperature throughout the journey from the warehouse to the airport terminal.
• When the shipment arrives at the terminal, the TagHub-FX, Gateway installed at the entry dock syncs the recorded temperature data from incoming sensors.
• The temperature data is synced live from inside the terminal via TagHub-FX Gateways installed in various areas or by cargo handlers using the TagLink mobile app.
• Shippers are able to see real-time location and temperature data of their respective shipments from inside the cargo facility.
• Excursion alerts will be generated and monitored live by Terminal staff and the shipper. They can work together for appropriate interventions.
• In the event of any excursions, terminal staff and shippers can work together for appropriate interventions.
• Temperature and location visibility will be provided until take off.

To further improve its cold-chain processing efficiency, BIAL had launched Envirotainer, a technology that enables pharmaceutical companies and their logistics partners to move temperature-sensitive cargo across the world, while maintaining the integrity and quality of products throughout the journey.