How AT&T helps track precious shipments in the belly of a plane

Will it get there safely?

It’s one of a specialty produce manager’s most anxious moments. A freshly harvested order of heirloom produce is being shipped overnight from California. Will it arrive fresh or will it be ruined from unexpected heat or cold in the cargo hold?

Any business transporting expensive, sensitive, time-critical goods faces the same concern. The shipment could be anything from a rare 200-year-old German cuckoo clock to sashimi-grade tuna. Consider this: For every hour that asparagus is exposed to temperatures above 60 degrees, it loses a day of shelf life.¹ No matter the cargo, until the product reaches its destination, the shippers will not sleep.

Companies rely on their supply chains to deliver products on time and in good condition. Many companies rely on air cargo when time is of the essence. But once the product enters the cargo hold of a plane or a truck, a shipper lacks the ability to check it.

More than just a tracking number

AT&T created a solution for that puzzle in August 2014, with the launch of Cargo View with FlightSafe^®. Special FlightSafe^® sensors, included with the shipment, monitor and collect data on the cargo’s location, temperature, pressure changes, shock levels and even detected light, which would signal the cargo was opened while in transit — intentionally or accidentally. All the information collected from the sensors is sent directly to the customer in near-real time.

For perishable goods, Cargo View has the potential to cut down on waste. That’s not only cost-effective, but also better for the environment.

Unlike most tracking devices, Cargo View is safe for aircraft and can be used regardless of transit mode. In fact, while en route, the FlightSafe sensors automatically switch to airplane mode to meet FAA regulations.