Shippers getting access to the blue dot on the map was the initial iteration of the digital supply chain, finally allowing them to see the location of their cargo in real time. Although it was a game changer at the time, it now reflects the limitations when far more detailed and relevant information is available due to technological advances.
Knowing the location doesn’t say anything about the state of the shipment or what might be causing the exceptions. Simple location does not provide an estimated ETA or insight into supply chain lanes.
Shippers must take advantage of recent advances to foster supply chain resilience and move beyond the blue dot.
For today’s shippers, the Blue Dot doesn’t stop
The advent of GPS was revolutionary, but it eventually had to expand its use. Even wireless phone GPS now provides information on areas of traffic congestion and reroutes drivers. Simple location knowledge no longer measures up.
Like regular commuters, shippers need more information than the blue dot provides for true efficiency.
By relying only on the blue dot, senders get a lack of detailed information. Seeing a dot on the screen says nothing about potential problems that could lead to cargo delays. Achieving optimal routing and proper exception management is not possible when all the sender has is a blue dot.
Although many visibility providers integrate real-time location updates, the update intervals are irregular and often too late to be proactive. If the container sits for a long time, irregular updates may mean that the sender will not know until several hours later.
The blue dot does not reveal anything about the terms of the shipment. The temperature of the container could be elevated or the humidity too high, and the shipper has no idea until the cargo reaches its destination as a total loss.
Real-time transport visibility goes beyond the blue dot
Real-time transport visibility goes beyond the limitations of simply seeing a blue dot on the screen. Condition tracking, analytics and greater accuracy are game-changing components of real-time visibility for shippers and ensuring cargo arrives on time and intact.
Accurate and frequent location updates
Real-time visibility means senders aren’t left in the dark due to irregular updates or inaccurate location data. With updates every two minutes and an accuracy of up to 10 meters, shippers know where their goods are in real time as they move.
Real-time visibility uses cellular triangulation, WiFi geolocation and GPS technology to ensure that communication and location tracking are never sporadic or lost.
With the guesswork out, shippers are empowered to respond immediately in the event of an exception and be proactive when they know the location of their cargo in relation to a supply chain disruption such as port congestion.
Monitoring of the state of the environment
Depending only on the blue dot, shipping goods sensitive to external conditions was a gamble. If the container temperature was outside the acceptable range, the shipper had no way of knowing.
Real-time visibility monitors temperature, humidity and light with adjustable thresholds that warn when conditions deviate from acceptable limits. By knowing the conditions in real time, carriers are immediately called to account to correct the situation.
Shock and impact detection
The blue dot can never tell the shipper if there has been an impact or impact to the container. Real-time visibility systems use shock and motion sensors that immediately alert dispatchers when an anomalous shock or impact occurs.
Shippers do not have to wait for the container to open at their destination to realize that the impact has damaged the cargo. With real-time visibility, they know exactly where and when the impact or shock occurred and hold the carrier accountable.
Benefits of moving beyond the blue dot
Shippers moving beyond the blue dot are realizing unprecedented efficiencies in the supply chain – knowing the exact location of cargo at all times and being able to take appropriate reactive and proactive actions results in reduced shipping delays. Shippers get the ability to direct shipments and optimally allocate resources.
The most positive effect of moving beyond the blue dot is an improved user experience. With timely updates and proactive problem resolution, customers know their mission-critical cargo is always under the watchful eye of the shipper. Trust and transparency are enhanced, continually bringing customers back thanks to an outstanding experience.
Go beyond the blue dot with Tive today
Shippers are realizing that the blue dot just doesn’t cut it anymore. Cargo environment monitoring, efficient delivery, accurate information and an enhanced user experience from real-time visibility are now critical to delivery success.
Shippers who move beyond the archaic blue dot develop a competitive advantage, protect their cargo, save money and achieve greater operational efficiency.
Tive is complete real-time visibility for shippers, constantly monitoring cargo conditions and locations across road, air, ocean and rail. With real-time visibility, alerts and notifications, and shared reporting and analytics, shippers realize supply chain efficiencies, protect their cargo, and delight their customers.
Get in touch with Tive today and see how moving beyond the blue spot will revolutionize your sending operations.
