Using satellite communications to transform tracking and monitoring

Globalstar Europe Satellite Services Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Globalstar Inc. will be demonstrating how affordable and reliable satellite communications are transforming tracking and monitoring on land and at sea at Intermodal Europe 2015 in Hamburg Messe, Germany (November 17 – 19).

There are a number of new and emerging solutions that show how freight management and logistics businesses can enhance the efficiency of their operations and cut operating costs by opting to rely on satellite communications – or adopting a hybrid approach combined with GSM – to track cargo and monitor its environment.

Several Value Added Resellers (VARs) have integrated Globalstar’s satellite chipset and communications services into their products to extend the reach and reliability of their communications. Solutions now include:

A new satellite tracking solution for the trucking industry developed by Spanish technology and fleet tracking solutions provider FAGOR Electrónica, S. Coop. FAGOR selected Globalstar’s SmartOne for the satellite technology underpinning this new solution to ensure transportation companies can monitor their fleet of vehicles even when they are outside of GSM range. Not only does the solution report the precise location of the vehicle but it also provides details about engine time usage and total mileage. Using a hybrid model, the tracking solution automatically switches between GSM communications and satellite to ensure maximum reach, reliability and cost efficiency.

Identec Solutions helps businesses to manage their land-based and offshore assets using both satellite technology as well as Active RFID features. This hybrid multi-frequency capability gives users the advantage of low power and long-range Active RFID transmissions as well as reliable satellite transmissions. The Identec iQ350LX GPS/SAT uses the Globalstar STX3 chipset and integrated sensors to report the precise location of an asset – whether it is a container, vehicle or other item of heavy equipment. The first-ever ATEX-certified, multi-frequency asset tracking solution, also provides valuable metrics on movement, instantly reporting whether the asset has experienced damage or shock.

Ovinto uses Globalstar technology to provide manufacturers with the intelligence required to minimise the risk associated with the transportation of their dangerous cargo while optimising their supply chain operations. Ovinto Sat allows chemical and oil & gas companies to monitor potentially hazardous materials in unpowered environments including rail tank cars and tank containers. In October 2015, Globalstar announced that petrochemical provider SABIC has committed toequip its entire European fleet of rail tank cars withOvinto Sat, thereby knowing where a tank car or container is, whether it has been impacted due to a crash, is leaking, is at the right pressure and temperature, and is in the correct location. Satellite is the preferred option for such communications due to its availability, reliability and low power consumption compared to GSM.

VARs in the transport and logistics sector can add satellite communications to their existing products.

Corry Brennan, regional sales manager EMEA, Simplex Products, Globalstar
Corry Brennan, regional sales manager EMEA, Simplex Products, Globalstar

Corry Brennan, Simplex regional sales manager – EMEA, at Globalstar, explains: “By adding satellite communications to existing GSM solutions, customers can rest reassured that they can communicate even where there is patchy or non-existent mobile/cellular service. With the progress in satellite technologies and Globalstar’s huge investments in our network capabilities – from the chipset to our next generation network – satellite communication is now much more affordable and reliable than ever before. These developments are resulting in new market opportunities for savvy VARs.”

Globalstar will also highlight its latest plug and play simplex asset manager, the SmartOne™ C. This product complements Globalstar’s existing SmartOne B model while opening up new opportunities for a wide range of businesses to monitor and manage their fixed and portable assets including shipping containers, transport trailers, construction machinery and vehicle fleets.

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