You shipped your IBC tote and now you have lost track of its current location. The system provides no immediate updates and it lacks any information about current locations.
The business operation which deals with chemical handling and food-grade liquid transportation and dangerous material management through Intermediate Bulk Containers faces financial losses when they lose sight of their shipping containers. The operational budget and efficiency of your business Operations suffer when containers experience loss or theft or return after their scheduled time.
IBC cargo tracking has developed into a complete tracking system which provides better tracking capabilities than before.
The following instructions show you how to manage your IBC fleet system from start to finish.
What Is an IBC and Why Is Tracking Critical?
An intermediate bulk container (IBC) is an industrial container that is reusable, and it helps transport and store both liquids and bulk material. These containers have a maximum capacity range of 110 to 550 gallons and the unit price varies between $180 and $3,500. Your investment protection depends on the need to track these returnable assets which move through different locations and between various supply chain partners throughout their complete operational lifespan.
Methods to Track IBC Cargo
1. Barcode & RFID Tags
The most accessible starting point for our project requires us to attach barcode labels and RFID tags to all containers. The system uses handheld scanners and smartphones as well as fixed readers at checkpoints to track container movement whenever a container enters or leaves a facility. The system provides cost-effective warehouse inventory management because it updates inventory information only at scan points instead of continuously tracking inventory.
2. GPS Tracking Devices
Your supply chain receives continuous position data from GPS-enabled devices which track each IBC’s location throughout your entire supply chain. The system proves to be particularly beneficial for international shipments which involve multiple container transfers during long-distance transportation.
3. IoT Sensors & Smart Caps
The most advanced solution uses Industrial IoT (IIoT) devices which engineers installed on the IBC. The smart sensors track multiple parameters through their ability to detect location and measure fill level and temperature and tilt and movement which they send as streaming data to a cloud-based asset management system. The monitoring system provides essential value for businesses which need to transport temperature-sensitive cargo and hazardous materials.
4. Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) Software
All monitoring information goes to an Enterprise Asset Management system, which operates through its central dashboard system. This dashboard displays container status information and tracking data and idle time and cycle time measurement and automatic notifications. Users can access these features at any time from all types of devices.
Final Verdict
Blind spots in your IBC supply chain visibility distribute financial losses through three main sources: lost containers, compliance failures, and delayed returns. Your tracking system begins with basic barcode tracking or advanced IoT-enabled fleet management solutions but both options lead to complete visibility and no unexpected events and total container tracking capabilities throughout your fleet.