Macnica Develops Cloud Service for Seamless Worldwide Location Tracking and Status Monitoring, Plans to Launch in Late October - Automates location information, cargo status monitoring and quality control in cold chain and international transport -

Macnica (Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Representative Director and President: Kazumasa Hara, hereinafter referred to as "Macnica") today announced that it has developed and launched "Macnica Track Macnica s™" (hereinafter referred to as "this service"), a cloud service that enables seamless location tracking and status monitoring of vehicles and cargo worldwide. Sales are scheduled to start in late October 2024.

Background and Objectives
The logistics industry is facing serious labor shortages, including a shortage of drivers known as the "2024 problem." There are fears that by 2030 there will be a 34% shortage in transportation capacity, making it urgent to improve the efficiency of the entire logistics process, including the delivery process. In addition, temperature control requirements in the cold chain market are becoming stricter every year, such as GDP ^{* 1} compliance for pharmaceuticals and HACCP ^{* 2} compliance for food, and there is a need for systems and structures that can monitor in real time "when, where and in what condition" cargo was in the transportation process.

However, currently, most operations involve analog data collection tasks such as checking thermometers and writing daily reports, placing a heavy burden on on-site staff. In addition, since it is not possible to immediately detect abnormalities such as deviations from the set temperature or impacts on the cargo during cold chain transportation, there is a risk of inferior products being released onto the market. Furthermore, cargo theft is an issue in international logistics. Until now, only some high-priced items were targeted, but with the recent effects of global inflation continuing, theft of food and daily consumables has increased, and there is a growing need for a low-cost location tracking system that can be introduced to low-priced cargo as well.

To address these issues, Macnica conducted proof-of-concept trials with major Japanese logistics companies, forwarders, 3PLs and other businesses, and developed this service with an emphasis on providing functionality that reflects customer needs, as well as low cost and ease of implementation.

■ Service Overview
This service has a wide range of functions, including temperature management for cold chains, impact detection, loss and theft prevention, and operation management.In addition to location information, sensor data such as temperature, humidity, air pressure, and illuminance, as well as event information such as impact to cargo, dropping, and opening can be visualized on an original dashboard via the cloud, making it easy to implement.
This service is comprised of a tracker device (monitoring terminal: QTS series) that uses the proven mobile phone communication technology of Qualcomm, a manufacturer that Macnica deals with, and a cloud service and dashboard developed by Macnica, and the sensor data acquired by the device is provided via the dashboard or API. Two models of monitoring terminals can be selected depending on the purpose: "QTS110 ^{* 3}" and "QTS112 ^{* 4}".

<Macnica Tracks™ Configuration Diagram>

■ Features and benefits of this service
It monitors and tracks the status of goods and assets during transportation and storage (location, temperature and humidity, impact, dropping, opening) in real time. Customers can use it immediately as a cloud service, and can also integrate it into their own systems via API integration.

1. Cloud service that allows for centralized management and sharing between shippers and logistics companies
2. Efficient temperature control and quality assurance in accordance with GDP/HACCP
3. LTE compatibility automates everything from sending data to the cloud to the dashboard, reducing the workload of drivers and on-site staff
4. Supports 200 countries overseas, enabling seamless location tracking worldwide
5. Anti-theft measures using location tracking and detection of container or cargo openings
6. Continuous operation for over 100 days is possible, making it suitable for long-term transportation (assuming communication frequency is once per hour)
7. Hybrid positioning method using Wi-Fi/base station/GNSS enables positioning in any area
8. Small, thin terminal that can be easily installed and included in any cargo
9. Reasonable operational costs

Through this service, Macnica aims to contribute to digital transformation across the entire logistics industry and enter not only the cold chain monitoring market, but also the asset tracking market, which includes tracking of all cargo and assets.

<Dashboard>

*1: GDP (Good Distribution Practice)
GDP is a code of conduct for ensuring quality in the distribution of medicines. It sets out standards for the storage, handling and transportation of medicines, and ensures that environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity are properly controlled. The guideline aims to ensure that medicines are delivered in a safe and effective state from manufacturer to consumer.

*2: HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points)
HACCP is a method to ensure food safety. It analyzes potential hazards in all stages of the food production process, from production to consumption, and sets critical control points to control them. This technique is widely adopted to manage risks at all stages of food production, including processing, manufacturing, distribution and sales.

*3: Qualcomm® QTS110, transportation/storage status monitoring and tracking terminal
<Status monitoring of location, temperature and humidity, impact, dropping, opening, etc.> (details)
Monitors the status of goods/assets during transportation and storage, and tracks them in real time. Achieves low power consumption and long battery life. Available in over 200 countries, making it suitable for international transportation.

*4: "Qualcomm® QTS112" location monitoring and tracking device
<Small, slim card-sized version specialized for location information> (Details)
It can be used to track items including goods/assets and personal information, and to prevent loss or theft. Due to the thinness and lightness of the device itself, it can be placed inside small packages and envelopes that were previously difficult to track, making it possible to track them.

■Exhibiting at the International Logistics Exhibition (Logis-Tech Tokyo 2024)
Macnica will exhibit at Logis-Tech Tokyo 2024, the international logistics comprehensive exhibition to be held at Tokyo Big Sight from September 10 to 13, 2024. Representative use cases for this service will be introduced through demonstrations and presentations.

- Exhibition name: International Logistics Comprehensive Exhibition (16th) Logis-Tech Tokyo 2024
Organizers: Japan Management Association and others
・ Venue: Tokyo Big Sight (access) East Hall 7 Booth No. 7-215
・Period: September 10th (Tuesday) to September 13th (Friday), 2024
Participation: Registration required (pre-registration and invitation ticket system)
·detail: Here Please see.

■ Video demonstration
You can view advance warnings of temperature abnormalities (warning function), as well as what happens when an abnormality occurs during impact (dropping) or opening on the dashboard.
https://www.macnica.co.jp/business/connectivity/manufacturers/macnica_tracks/platform.html
(There is a video on the page)

[For more information on this service, click here]
https://www.macnica.co.jp/business/connectivity/manufacturers/macnica_tracks/index.html

[For product inquiries, please contact here]
Macnica FINESSE Company Inc. Company Okawa / Washizu
TEL: 045-470-9831
E-mail: qcom-aware@macnica.co.jp

*Company names and product names mentioned in this text are trademarks or registered trademarks of Macnica and each company.
*The information published in the news release (including product price, specifications, etc.) is current as of the date of announcement. Please note that the information may be subject to change without prior notice.