Updated telematics platform and a new AI-powered supply chain ecosystem

This week’s CCJ Tech Shorts features Carrier Transicold’s updated telematics platform and ITS Logistics’ new AI-powered supply chain ecosystem.

• Carrier Transicold has launched a significant update to its Carrier Lynx Fleet telematics platform, providing enhanced insights into transport refrigeration unit (TRU) performance and easier tracking and monitoring of connected vehicles.

This update includes new analytics and remote diagnostic capabilities for Carrier Transicold TRUs. It also supports dry van telematics, electric TRUs, the latest sensor technology and API integrations that provide instant access to real-time information, such as location, temperature and TRU performance within customers’ existing fleet management systems.

Here are the new features:

TRU Health helps users manage service activity based on TRU performance rather than relying on calendar alerts and manual checks. Key indicators are consolidated into a single dashboard, providing a clear, at-a-glance view of which TRUs, systems and individual components require attention. TRU Health assessments include battery voltage, fuel levels, active alarms, engine run-hours, time spent in continuous and start-stop modes, door metrics and more.

The new telematics module supports cellular or dual-mode satellite-cellular communications and features a rechargeable battery, providing up to 10 days of reporting when no vehicle power is available. The new module can accommodate up to five temperature sensors for multizone reefers and uses CAN bus and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for faster, more reliable wireless connections.

Lynx Fleet now supports GPS and telematics sensors for dry vans and other equipment, including TRUs from other manufacturers, allowing customers with a mix of vehicle types and TRU suppliers to track asset location, temperature and more with no workflow disruptions.

And with its new API toolkit, Lynx Fleet data can be shared with most major transportation management systems.

• 3PL ITS Logistics has released its new AI-powered supply chain ecosystem, ITS Engage.

The first solution available within the ITS Engage ecosystem is a drayage and container lifecycle management product. Building on the company’s original visibility tool, ContainerAI, the new solution leverages machine learning and advanced analytics that empower users to unify shipment movement from port of origin to termination, stay ahead of delays and accessorial fees with critical alerts and real-time shipment tracking, eliminate static reporting with customizable dashboards and global search capabilities, visualize operations with interactive maps and dynamic sort filters, and connect tech stacks and prevent data silos with seamless EDI and API integration.

In the coming months, ITS Logistics plans to roll out more market-facing tools across the supply chain, including truckload, LTL, small parcel, fulfillment, and managed solutions, as well as carrier experience management, fraud prevention, hybrid asset management solutions, and scope 3 emissions reduction.

ITS chief information officer and senior vice president of supply chain services (Peter Weis) said, “When you use third-party software, you’re beholden to an outside party who likely doesn’t act at the speed that we require in responding to urgent needs or market shifts. Owning our technology makes us accountable to one person: the customer. We can react to their needs and make solutions that are truly bespoke. As a result, we’re able to rapidly meet the demands of customers from startups to Fortune 500 shippers.”