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'Smart' technology for logistics industry

Aluvin Securiseal, manufacturer and distributor of security seals, and sole distributor of EJ Brooks' product in the country, is to invest heavily in new generation, 'smart' technology, which includes radio frequency identification (RFID) and fibre-optic technology.

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 the company," says McNeice.

Kevin Norwitz, Aluvin, and Andrew McNeice, EJ Brooks, discuss the new ‘smart’ technology

Aluvin MD, Kevin Norwitz, concurs. "Being part of the IT environment, makes the seal an important element in the entire supply chain management system of an organisation. 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 has recently teamed up with Savi Technology to provide the infrastructure that is used for these radio frequency container seals. This arrangement has lead 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," concludes Norwitz.

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