Qualcomm Inc., a provider of integrated wireless systems and services to transportation, logistics and service fleet companies, and FreightWatch, a global logistics security solutions provider, announced that the two companies will offer a covert freight tracking solution to Qualcomm customers. The companies say the service, which is available to carriers of high-value and sensitive loads, will deliver an electronic freight security solution that uses covert tracking technologies to maintain a constant view of in-transit cargo from its point of origin to its destination. In addition to the asset management capabilities of Qualcomm’s mobile information systems, carriers also will be provided with the ability to track individual pallets or entire trailer loads covertly, assuring freight transportation companies increased visibility into the both location and status of their cargo.
FreightWatch offers the Geo F1 and Geo F2 location position devices, along with the proprietary FSNtracks online service, to deliver an enterprise-class embedded cargo tracking application for the trucking industry. The Geo F1 and Geo F2 units are based on the inGeo Platform, which is developed and powered by Qualcomm’s CDMA Technologies division. The devices, which leverage Qualcomm’s gpsOne position-location technology, are small enough to be hidden in hard to find locations, such as inside a freight pallet or beneath the undercarriage of a trailer.
“Joining forces with Qualcomm allows us to better meet the needs of key stakeholders across the supply chain,” says Barry Conlon, chief executive officer of FreightWatch. “In addition to shippers, we can now offer our freight security solution to carriers of high-value loads, further reducing the risks and costs associated with cargo loss.”
The FreightWatch Geo F1 and Geo F2 cargo trackers help combat theft by facilitating supply chain visibility, which can reduce the risk of product theft, product loss and lost time-to-market, resulting in improved profitability and reduced investigative, recovery and insurance costs. Together with FreightWatch theft prevention and monitoring services, carriers will be provided with a unified view of covert freight tracking and security information, plus proactive theft prevention and risk management services, supplying an additional layer of logistics security to customers of Qualcomm’s transportation services business.
“We are extremely pleased to be collaborating with FreightWatch to provide our customers with a solution to proactively address the estimated $25 billion worldwide cargo theft issue,” says Norm Ellis, vice president of sales, services and marketing for Qualcomm Enterprise Services. “Our customers can now benefit from FreightWatch’s proven theft prevention and recovery services and outstanding freight recovery record.”
