Van den Bosch brings real-time data to the customer

Van den Bosch presents the latest innovation in the field of bulk transport. In collaboration with Xeelas, specialist in monitoring and tracking hardware, the development of Smart Load Units is in full swing and the first units are already being installed.

Van den Bosch is not the first logistics service provider to equip its containers with smart sensors. It is common in the market to provide containers with such devices. However, Van den Bosch is the first to bring the obtained data to the customer. “We are taking it to the next level and together with Xeelas we are innovating in the field of new sensors”, says Chief Digital Officer Pirke van den Elsen. “The big difference is not so much in having that data, but in how you can help customers with that information."

Digital seal

The sensors are being built piece by piece in collaboration with Xeelas. The integration of the temperature sensor in the planning system has been completed. “Not only we, but also the customer receives a notification when the temperature threatens to get out of range,” says Van den Elsen. Now the digital seal is next in line, followed by a weight sensor. “It really is an innovation, because such sensors for bulk containers don’t yet exist. It is up to Xeelas and to us to develop this sensor and to be able to interpret the values."

An example of such a new sensor is the digital seal. This function allows you to digitally set when the seal can be broken. “A container can recognize when it has arrived at the unloading address. Only then the seal can be broken”, says Van den Elsen. “The sensor allows us to show a digital breadcrumb trail to the customer. It shows the customer when the container was open. This is a certainty that no other carrier can currently offer. And that is why we are ‘the Supply Changer in Bulk’.”

Would you like to read more about the Smart Load Units? Take a look at this story.