The textile industry has come a long way from the rudimentary methods once used to manufacture and transport their goods. Today, they employ the services of advanced systems based on IoT and telematics to improve manufacturing processes and deliver orders punctually, while informing customers about their shipment every step of the way. The digital transformation of management systems and automation of operational procedures paved the way for textile companies to step into a new age of business. With fierce competition among textile and fashion companies, this step provided an edge to get ahead of the competition. Telematics systems supported by IoT technology could provide tailor-made solutions for clothing businesses.
Large textile enterprises have to deal with a myriad of problems, from the provision of raw materials to the delivery of finished products. These businesses have to continuously adapt and upgrade their infrastructure to operate at optimum levels. IoT technology has been a boon for the textile industry, especially when combined with fleet management tools provided by telematics systems; the clothing industry has gained access to a set of tools that can alleviate many of the problems they face on a daily basis. Let’s take a look at some of these issues and how these sophisticated systems help overcome them.
Cargo theft is a major issue for the textile industry. According to experts, it’s one of the top five industries targeted for theft for obvious reasons: expensive clothing, accessories and high-end sportswear. Security has always been a major problem for companies with vehicle fleets, but it’s an even bigger issue for textile companies since they are a priority target for criminals. Experienced thieves are always on the lookout for easy targets when planning big heists, and a truck full of expensive clothing is an enticing opportunity, this makes it particularly important to have adequate security measures in place.
IoT technology and fleet management systems have countless benefits regarding security. To ensure the safety of the cargo on-board the vehicle, field managers have access to multiple vehicle sensors: open-door sensor, tampering alarm, motion sensor, and ignition sensor. Real-time location tracking is another prominent feature. The ability to monitor the location of a company truck on-demand has significant security benefits; should the worst happen and a thief gets away with one of the company vehicles, a field operator has to load the fleet management software, locate the vehicle and inform the police for a quick recovery.
Not only are telematics devices equipped with vehicle sensors and location trackers, but they also boast an array of powerful features such as geofence zones, route history and event alerts that can be used to enhance the safety and security of the whole company. The ability to transmit and receive data over the Internet allows managers to follow every aspect of their operation in detail. Even the smallest supply chain error or hold-up on the road can be easily detected and dealt with appropriately, resulting in on-time arrivals, improved productivity, and an overall safer workforce.
These prominent features can also be used to create an early warning system for important events, plan for shorter routes, and obtain information about the vehicle and driver via sensors. Managers can create geofence zones to receive notifications about arrivals and departures of fleet vehicles, which can help to quickly identify a vehicle as stolen in the event of an unscheduled movement. Another major problem for the textile industry is the timely arrival of important deliveries. Field managers can view the route history of their vehicles as well as check live traffic information, helping them plan shorter routes and make course corrections to ensure on-time delivery.
When a supply chain is involved, speed is crucial when gathering and relaying information. The speed of information flow is key to a company’s success, and it is especially important for textile companies who are required to regularly transport trucks full of cargo in perfect condition over long distances. IoT devices gather vast amounts of data via sensors and provide essential information about the condition of the cargo, while fleet management systems provide the necessary tools to monitor and analyze this information to help managers make decisions accordingly.
For all this to work, textile companies need a network of connected vehicles and continuous data exchange among their vehicles, factories, and warehouses. IoT and telematics technologies provide a platform for textile businesses to connect every branch of their operation. Telematics systems offer an ideal solution for the problems faced while manufacturing and delivering a wide range of products, from consumer wares to industrial merchandise. IoT and telematics systems improve efficiency and productivity while drastically reducing operating costs, on virtually every aspect of every delivery. Effective fleet management with the help of IoT systems can help companies improve their bottom-line and increase revenue.
