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trailer world Issue Two 2014

Issue Two 2014 15 ReportageTelematics the truck-trailer combination for carrying information “forward” from the back. Al- ternatively, the data has been transmitted to the truck by WLAN, Bluetooth or similar radio technologies. Solutions of this kind present disadvantages. For one thing, the information technology of the truck and trailer must be compatible, thereby rul- ing out the use of third-party equipment. For another, when the trailer has been un- hitched it can no longer be reached by tele- matics and consequently it can neither be located nor can its cargo be monitored. The best possibilities for optimising busi- ness processes are consequently provided by a dual system comprising a telematics unit in the truck and in the trailer, such as the example of the Frigo-Trans transport company. System concept for monitoring temperature Since it was founded in 1988, Frigo-Trans GmbH in Frankenthal has concentrated on transporting products for the pharma- ceuticals industry. Although these are not necessarily frozen products, it is important for the temperature of the cargo to remain within specified limits so as to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the pharmaceu- ticals. There are three temperature ranges: the cool range from 2 to 8 °C, the “warm” range from 15 to 25 °C and the normal range from 2 to 25 °C. To meet these cus- tomer requirements, Frigo-Trans has devel- oped the “Cool Chain Control” system con- cept which has already won the Cool Chain Excellence Award several times. For years now, one important component in this has been monitoring the temperature in its own 80 refrigerated trailers using a telematics solution from idem telematics GmbH. This monitors the locations of the trailers and their internal temperatures, and sends the information promptly to headquarters. “But now we want to optimise the en- tire logistical processes on the vehicle. And of course this also includes the trucks and communication with the driver,” explains David Keil, project manager at Frigo-Trans. As a result, the search began for a telematics system for the trucks that would include not only a large display for the driver but also connections to the CAN bus and the digital tachograph. “At the LogiMAT 2013 show in Stuttgart,wegotintouchwithFunkwerk With its “Cool Chain Control” concept, the pharmaceuticals logistics company Frigo-Trans ensures that all specified temperature values are maintained in the cool chain.

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