FedEx is enhancing its SenseAware service for sensitive shipments and expanding its availability toairlines outside its network and in several international markets.
SenseAware is based around a multi-sensor device that accompanies critical, high-valueshipments and transmits vital information such as the shipment’s location, the temperature andnotification of potential problems such as exposure to light. The service offers near real-timeinformation across supply chain stakeholders, according to the company.
Launched in 2009, the service has so far been available only for shipments in the U.S. Now,as part of a planned international rollout, FedEx is offering SenseAware in Canada, the UK,Australia and Singapore. More markets are expected to follow.
At the same time, SenseAware has been opened up to other transportation companies and is nowcarrier-neutral. The service is available on a growing list of air and ground transportationcarriers outside the FedEx network, including Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlinesand third party ground carriers (when used consistently with their rules and regulations).
Meanwhile, in a technological upgrade, the latest product generation, SenseAware 2000, offerscustomers more accurate near real-time location information with improved GPS technology, improvedcellular connectivity and longer battery life. The SenseAware 2000 device is designed to support atemperature probe which has a temperature measurement range of -80°C to 60°C.
Another new feature is “route geo-fencing” for ground shipments. Customers can create ageo-fence along the actual route a shipment should follow and set up notification alerts if theshipment deviates from this pre-established route. In addition, triggers can be set up to alert ornotify customers when geo-fence events do not occur as expected by a specified time to help show ifa package is off schedule in some way.
Moreover, when setting up a journey or creating a template, customers can now choose whichenvironmental data, such as temperature, humidity or barometric pressure, is collected. Thisensures that the device only collects data for specific environments requested, thus streamliningthe amount of information the customer receives.
“SenseAware is all about information, and the innovative service increases visibility,allowing customers to make better and more timely decisions,” said Carl Asmus, vice president ofmarket development for FedEx. “Our customers now have more actionable intelligence at theirfingertips to make informed decisions and identify opportunities to improve their global supplychain, a tremendous value for any business.
“SenseAware provides unmatched visibility and insight into global shipments, which isespecially important in this increasingly complex global business environment,” he added. “Ourinternational expansion programme is allowing us to better serve our customers by providing accessto markets where our customers have a need to monitor their supply chain.”
FedEx said that SenseAware is a contract-only service but can be easily adopted withoutinfrastructure or large managed-service commitments, and can be used for single shipments or largepalletised shipments.
