Gravio Blog
July 19, 2024

[Case Study] Learn How a national Japanese logistics company and a System Integrator implemented Gravio to Improve data quality

How a national Japanese Logistic company used Gravio to improve data quality
[Case Study] Learn How a national Japanese logistics company and a System Integrator implemented Gravio to Improve data quality

Case Study: Learn How a national Japanese logistics company and a System Integrator implemented Gravio to Improve Data Quality

One of the largest national logistics companies in Japan has been working to improve the quality and efficiency of its services through the use of information technology. As part of this effort, the company has been visualising the temperature and humidity in its warehouses, but due to frequent sensor failures, it has been unable to identify problems.


To address this, the company collaborated with a well-known system integrator to deploy a new IoT platform, Gravio by Asteria Corporation.
This platform stands out by providing immediate notifications when a sensor failure occurs. The scalable platform has fostered an environment conducive to solving emerging problems.

Unfortunately, at this stage, we are neither allowed to mention the name of the logistics company nor the system integrator, but both of them have employees globally. Within this case study, we will call the logistics company “LogiCo” and the system integrator “SysInt”. 

Challenges

1. Inability to promptly identify issues related to temperature and humidity data collection in warehouses.

2. Leveraging IoT not just for visualizing temperature and humidity data, but also to tackle various challenges within the warehouse.

Results

1. In the event of an issue with existing sensors, alerts are triggered immediately, allowing for reliable data collection with peace of mind.

2. Gravio Platform, capable of integrating various IIoT Sensors, presents a potential for a diverse array of applications.

Accurate temperature and humidity management is required within warehouse for sensitive cargo

Leveraging cutting-edge IT capabilities, the SysInt offers a wide range of services, including robotics automation, integration of imaging and AI technologies for improved logistics quality, and AI-driven demand forecasting for order replenishment efficiency.

One critical initiative within LogiCo's headquarters involved visualising warehouse operations. This effort introduced a system to autonomously capture and display temperature and humidity data. However, they encountered challenges in promptly identifying issues, such as sensor failures, leading to periodic checks by on-site managers to ensure the collection of reliable data.

A Service Development Manager from LogiCo, emphasised the importance of precise temperature and humidity management, particularly for sensitive items like medical devices and cosmetics. Additionally, certain client agreements necessitate the provision of temperature and humidity data during monthly meetings.

Comparative study of existing systems and Gravio's proposal by the system integration company.

Initially, LogiCo considered modifying its existing system, however SysInt recommended switching over to Gravio. The expectations were that Gravio is easier to handle and could fulfil the requirements of LogiCo more effectively. 

A Service Development Executive at LogiCo mentioned that the existing system had a built-in mechanism to detect abnormalities but it could not detect when there was a problem with the sensor itself. After consulting with SysInt’s specialists   he found that Gravio is able to detect the downtime of the sensors as well as providing sensor data. SysInt has provided a very viable and detailed proposal to the problems LogiCo  was facing.

LogiCo had the following five requirements,

  1. Automatic collection of temperature and humidity data
  2. Wireless LAN connection to internal network
  3. Email notifications when thresholds are exceeded
  4. Heartbeat monitoring of existing sensors
  5. Email notification when data retrieval fails
Overview of the workflow

Evaluation of Gravio's Scalability and SysInt’s proposal

After evaluating both proposals, LogiCo chose SysInt’s proposal. The service development manager explained that the cost advantage of a subscription-based model and Gravio's extensive range of IoT sensors were decisive factors. The system's potential for future applications, such as warehouse security management, was also appealing.

SysInt’s experience in real-world implementations and tailored solutions further solidified their choice. Unlike the existing custom-built system, Gravio's standardized subscription model facilitated scalability, allowing easy addition of new sensors without significant development.

Improvement in data reliability and reporting.

SysInt initiated a Proof of Concept (PoC) with the Gravio system in January 2022, running it alongside the existing system. After three months of evaluation, the Gravio system was officially adopted and fully deployed in April 2022 at  a key logistics center in Japan. 

The service development executive noted the challenges in identifying issues, which often required on-site assessments. The system integrator's support was invaluable in these instances.

The introduction of Gravio ensured that operational managers received notifications of any issues with temperature and humidity data acquisition. This effectively addressed the initial challenges, significantly improving the reliability of data provided to customers. Operational teams now experience peace of mind, eliminating the need for regular manual checks.

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