With the many tech terms flying around in relation to improved supply chain management, it’s common to see companies leap before learning. One of the most tossed about terms these days is the Internet of Things (IoT) and its resultant IoT sensors. While IoT can be a somewhat nebulous term, IoT sensors, especially those with embedded GPS, can play a valuable role in the supply chain. This is especially true when coupled with RFID tags for full-scale visibility.
IoT sensors can be a key tool when tracking your assets as they travel through the supply chain. They can provide details on temperatures and other conditions that might be relevant to the quality of an item—medical supplies, for instance, which need to be maintained in a particular temperature range. Once inside a delivery point—a warehouse, for instance—the RFID tag can take over and provide real-time updates within the structure. Put together, and IoT sensors plus RFID tags can provide the true, end-to-end visibility needed to not only track assets, but assist in quality control, as well.
