Ultra-thin Shipping Label
When Bayer approached SODAQ a year ago with the challenge to increase the traceability of their valuable seed shipments, the expectation seemed overwhelming and impossible. Bayer wanted a label as thin as a regular adhesive barcoded shipping label but with the added functionality to track and trace the shipment. Across borders. Across oceans. Without breaking customs requirements. Sustainable. Preferably biodegradable. For a price below 10 euros per label. Operational for at least 6 months after activation. And along the way, as well able to measure temperature, shock registration and able to detect the opening of a package. And so it began…
Problem
In a typical SODAQ style prototype development project we allocated a team of 6 FTE for an entire year. In close co-operation with Bayer we collected the potential technologies to solve such a challenge and came up with groundbreaking insights and solutions. For example the biodegradable printed battery solution from Elmeric. And the new iSIM technology deployed by Vodafone.
As of 2020, the complexities of the supply chain have only become more prominent with the global network that most companies are operating within. Sure, technologies have facilitated most of this process, but with the amount of parties that may be involved in the development of a single product, it is no surprise that many companies still seek optimizations within the supply chain. Bayer is the world's largest pharmaceutical and life science company. Imagine the scale of packages that are both entering and leaving their warehouses on a day to day basis. With today's modern technology, tracking each package by scanning seems outdated.
As of 2020, the complexities of the supply chain have only become more prominent with the global network that most companies are operating within. Sure, technologies have facilitated most of this process, but with the amount of parties that may be involved in the development of a single product, it is no surprise that many companies still seek optimizations within the supply chain. Bayer is the world's largest pharmaceutical and life science company. Imagine the scale of packages that are both entering and leaving their warehouses on a day to day basis. With today's modern technology, tracking each package by scanning seems outdated.
Solution
With a label barely thicker than a few sheets of paper, this cutting-edge technology contains a battery, iSIM, microprocessor, modem and antenna. The implications for future businesses implementing such technologies are manifold. The supply chain itself is introduced to a new dimension of traceability with additional elements such as cell ID location and time of box opening, amount of box movements and further integrations such as temperature monitoring. The solution provides an effective anti-tampering possibility that may prove to be of much value in the pharmaceutical industry.
Result
The solution at this point is at an almost go-to-market level. In order to produce the label at cost effective pricing we need to manufacture over ten million labels each year. Only Bayer has allocated the use for ten million labels annually, so when two or three more corporations adopt this new technology, the production towards the end of 2021. SODAQ will continue its future development and will apply (parts of) the technology to lots of other user cases and scenarios.
How can we make IoT work for you?
Our experienced engineers are ready to deliver innovative low power tracking and sensing solutions for your next big operation. Please get in touch using the Get in Touch button on the bottom right, send an email to sales@sodaq.com or give us a call at +31 30 300 0301.
