Optimise logistics and inventory management with LoRaWAN

“By integrating IoT devices operating the LoRaWAN protocol, GSA is among the first in Europe to offer private networking capabilities and flexible devices to meet the needs of today’s supply chain managers,” said Frédéric Sammut, CEO at GSA. “Leveraging the LoRaWAN protocol provides accurate inventory data over long range, enabling managers to increase the efficiency of their logistical processes to reduce associated costs and increase sustainability.”

"GSA’s innovative solutions based on the LoRaWAN protocol enabled Giffard to transform its existing packaging and pallets into connected assets through innovative and simple retrofit. This allowed improved fleet management and the allocation of resources with integrated tools for more efficient production,” added Pierre Jouanneau Giffard, COO at Giffard. “Increased management efficiency allowed Giffard to optimise its workforce and material resources to improve profits.”

A standard in the logistics industry, wooden pallets deliver an estimated 95% of Europe’s consumer goods. GSA identified the shortcomings of legacy pallet-based shipping and developed its solution to leverage LoRaWAN networks to optimise the remote management of pallets in real time.

GSA’s platform based on the LoRaWAN protocol delivers comprehensive insight into the location and environmental status of the individual pallet, including geolocation capabilities to identify pallet location in a warehouse or in transit. This reliable data enables managers to track assets through the supply chain from manufacturing to distribution and out for delivery. Additionally, amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, smarter logistics management and geolocation in warehouses allows organisations to move assets only when necessary and keep employees safe through social distancing.

In June 2017, Giffard deployed GSA’s solution to its newest liqueur production plant, a state-of-the-art site that manufacturing up to 20,000 bottles per day. The plant consists of two 3,000 square meter buildings dedicated to liqueur production and warehousing respectively. By utilising the IoT platform, Giffard receives and audits its production data to identify inefficiencies in its warehousing workflow and as a result remotely manages all its packaging assets and tools within its sites.

“Integrating proven IoT geolocation solutions operating on LoRaWAN enables customers to reduce logistical inefficiencies and reduce cost,” said Marc Pegulu, Vice President of IoT Product Marketing in Semtech’s Wireless and Sensing Products Group. “By developing its solution to utilise the LoRaWAN protocol, GSA created a flexible, scalable IoT platform that monitors and reports pallet status, condition and location in real time. These enhanced metrics help keep inventory safe and accounted for throughout the management cycle and deliver customers a faster ROI.”