Swiss nanosatellite firm Astrocast is integrating its satellite IoT technology into Israeli company ArrowSpot’s ArrowTrack Sat device and its ArroWatch application.

This hybrid communication tracking combines cellular and satellite communication network access. It lets ArrowSpot’s customers benefit from visibility of their supply chains and fleets, allowing for the effective management of assets globally.

ArrowSpot’s technology typically lets supply-chain managers take a proactive and cost-effective approach to cargo and fleet management. It has developed track-and-trace products that make it possible for organisations to monitor moving assets anywhere and anytime along their journey. Clients that are benefitting from working with ArrowSpot include Zim Shipping Line and Oceanex intermodal transportation services.

A resilient supply chain requires round-the-clock monitoring. For many years, ArrowSpot has looked for effective IoT that lets it track moving assets across the globe. With connectivity via terrestrial networks covering 15% of the planet, ArrowSpot and Astrocast joined forces to solve the problem of tracking assets across the remaining 85% of the world using satellite IoT.

The Astrocast and ArrowSpot R&D teams collaborated to integrate Astrocast’s technology into ArrowSpot’s ArrowTrack Sat, a device that combines cellular and satellite communication. This hybrid communication provides global coverage, enabling the effective management of containers moving around the world.

A strong use case that demonstrates the value of this can be found in the pharmaceutical sector. Maintaining security and temperature control is essential when safeguarding valuable cargo across the pharmaceutical supply chain. When handling this sort of cargo, it is vital to respond quickly to any unexpected events that might occur. For example, if a reefer loses power or cargo appears to be in the wrong location, this needs to be flagged and addressed swiftly.

Solving this kind of problem fast requires that organisations have the right kind of services and technology in place to track and respond to such events. Ideally, this information should also be shared rapidly, so appropriate management decisions can be made about any cargo in transit. The benefit of providing this kind of transparency across the supply chain is it can radically reduce any potential impact on cargo. Achieving this visibility across all areas of the world has previously not been possible without satellite IoT.

Within supply chains, ArroWatch has become a proven tool for shipping lines and cargo owners to reduce wastage and improve supply chain resilience. Since its launch, ArroWatch has monitored over 30,000 trips. The ArrowSpot round-the-clock control centre has tracked over a million cargo days over that time, valued in excess of $10bn.

Around six per cent of trips require some kind of intervention to safeguard cargo, and, as a result, the service has saved over $500m in cargo that would otherwise have been wasted. About half of that cargo, over $250m, was vital pharmaceutical products, with food cargo making up over $150m. The addition of satellite IoT enables ArrowSpot to maintain a seamless service for its customers and enables everyone to achieve a better return on investment.

“The need for 24/7 asset tracking within global supply chains is vital today, especially within the cold chain,” said Ran Grinshtain, ArrowSpot CEO. “But up until now, truly cost-effective global connectivity has not been available. In our search for a provider, we tested several satellite IoT solutions, and selected Astrocast in the end for several reasons.”

From its bidirectional communication to low energy consumption, optimised data protocols, to chipsets, as well as ease of integration, working with Astrocast has transformed the speed of development from prototype to reliable production device in less than 12 months.

“What is more, our organisations are both highly customer centric; our technical and product development teams worked well and effectively together to integrate satellite IoT; and culturally our values and way of working together are aligned,” said Grinshtain. “Working with Astrocast has therefore been an excellent experience. We’re pleased to partner with such a professional organisation that is capable of finding creative and smart solutions to complex technological problems.”

Fabien Jordan, CEO of Astrocast, added: “Satellite IoT is providing increasing benefits for organisations globally and across various industries and use cases. We partnered with ArrowSpot as we share their ambition to address complex use cases and to develop sophisticated satellite IoT. We have been impressed with ArrowSpot’s experience in designing complex products that have to work in harsh environments, as well as in developing services specifically designed for the container business. Our teams are eager to work together and develop unique value propositions for customers. This is all made possible thanks to our fully integrated and complementary technologies, and a strong culture of collaboration.”

Jordan said due to the partnership, freight forwarders and cargo owners now had the ability to track assets within containers around the world for the first time.

“This provides true supply chain visibility that can help if and when a crisis occurs in locations that were out of reach until now without satellite IoT technology,” said Jordan. “When an emergency takes place in the middle of the ocean, with the right asset-tracking technology in place, a single fast intervention can enable organisations to avoid any crisis, which may cover its entire investment in satellite IoT and save the cargo and its delivery.” 

Astrocast operates a global nanosatellite IoT network, offering services in industries such as agriculture and livestock, maritime, environment and utilities. The network enables companies to monitor, track and communicate with remote assets from anywhere in the world. It relies on L-band spectrum through an alliance with Thuraya. Astrocast has also developed Astronode S, a low-power and miniaturised module compatible with inexpensive L-band patch antennas.

Founded in 2014, Astrocast develops and tests all its products in-house, from the satellites to the modules.

ArrowSpot provides players throughout the worldwide supply-chain logistics industry with online information for safe and secure sensitive chilled cargo and high value cargo. It operates a round-the-clock control centre to ensure expensive cargo is being controlled during long distance transportation.