Sensors as Interchangeable Tools, not a Supply Chain Silver Bullet

Sensors create many advantages in a digital supply chain, but also have many limitations

"Just slap a sensor on it." - Why? Much like visibility for visibility's sake, if your sensor strategy is just to put one on your all your shipments, you'll be continually throwing good money after bad. Sensors are a specific tool with specific use cases - understanding those use cases, and the overall limitations of sensors are key to executing your sensor strategy. As part of formulating your sensor strategy, take the time to understand the nuances of the technology and the space it inhabits - don't let anyone convince you it's easy or straightforward.  

Enabling a sensor platform is a complicated strategy - what should you look for?

• Have a specific, well defined use case for what data that the sensor will collect/provide can enable.
• Understand the limitations - sensors are battery powered and each country that your shipments travel through have different certifications and requirements for sensors.
• The market is quite fragmented and rapidly evolving; for connecting your sensors to your supply chain, pick an IoT platform that can easily swap handle and swap out different types of sensor providers.