Aluvin Securiseal, a manufacturer and distributor of security seals, and sole distributor of EJ Brooks' product in South Africa, is to invest heavily in new-generation, 'smart' technology, which includes radio frequency identification (RFID) and fibre-optic technology for both the logistics and utility sectors.
On his recent visit to South Africa, Andrew McNeice, vice president international sales of EJ Brooks, one of the largest security sealing companies in the world, said that smart technology is becoming increasingly popular in the industry because of the way it has made older technologies more efficient. "Tried and tested technology is made even more effective by becoming 'smart'. Not only can information be transmitted in realtime but it becomes an integral part of the IT environment of an organisation."
Aluvin MD, Kevin Norwitz, concurs. "In the logistics industry, being part of the IT environment makes the seal an important element in the entire supply chain management system. With this technology it is not only the location of the container that can be tracked, but the status of the seal as well. This is revolutionary for the logistics industry," he says.
Another smart technology relevant to the logistics industry uses fibre-optic cables to protect products in transit. The cables wrap around the vehicle and, through a system of coloured lights, it is simple to check whether any of the fibre-optic cables have been cut at any point. This is especially effective for 'curtainside' vehicles where traditional sealing methods have proved difficult in the past.
EJ Brooks recently teamed up with Savi Technology to provide the infrastructure that is used for these radio frequency container seals. This arrangement has led to an imminent pilot study through the ports of Cape Town and Walvis Bay. "This is very exciting as we believe that the results of these tests will introduce a new wave of security sealing alternatives in the logistics industry in South Africa and the world," says Norwitz.
Norwitz says that this technology is also being used to great effect in the utilities sector. "Here, too, information can be received in realtime, enabling utility companies to drastically cut down on electricity theft," he says.
This technology works by building an RF microchip into electricity meter seals. The seal communicates with the meter enabling it to be read remotely and the meter is programmed to relay to the authorities the precise moment the seal has been tampered with. "This is a significant step forward in the prevention of electricity theft in this country."
Norwitz says that the two problems that utility companies face are the high level of pilferage and the time and cost of curtailing it and that these products will go a long way to significantly reducing these.
"It is estimated that the loss through electricity theft runs into tens of millions annually and because electricity is invisible, people who would never consider other forms of theft are often among the culprits. These new-generation products make theft extremely difficult and will be effective across the spectrum of electricity consumers," concludes Norwitz.
For more information contact Kevin Norwitz, Aluvin Securiseal, 011 825 3648, [email protected]
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