How the use of technology helps in improving Cold supply chain efficiency?
One of the most common problems faced by end customer is the visibility of the product at various points in the supply chain. Due to the strict quality norms and changing customer preferences, customers have to be on top of their game when quality of the product is concerned when it reaches the end customer over a period of certain days after the harvest. Cold chain industry to this effect is even more complex and unorganized as compared to others like E-commerce, metals etc. Thus, the challenges are even many folds. The regulatory norms of preserving the product quality is dictated by various licensing agencies like FSSAI in India. However, for customers, the need is to know the product quality at every link of the Supply chain viz Post harvest storage, transporting from farms to processing units, storage post processing, transportation from processing units to distributers and thereafter to retailers on to final consumer. The technology has helped in improving such gaps by analyzing data, capturing insights, and improving efficiency. Some of the technologies that can help enhance the efficiency are:
■ Digitizing farms - Analyzing farm inputs and outputs, seasonal variations, weather phenomenon, satellite monitoring, Mandi prices, data for banking and government institutions, all with the help of technologies like AI, IOT, Machine learning, data storage and analytics
■ Fleet management – Temperature logging and alerts, GPS data and fleet monitoring
■ Warehouse management – Inventory management, temperature sensing, energy consumption and storage, supply, and demand planning
