American giant IBM and retailer Auchan (which has just announced plans to franchise its 300 or so French supermarkets under the Intermarché and Netto banners) and American giant IBM have entered into a partnership for the deployment of 50,000 intelligent pallets called 'IBM Smart Green Pallet' (SGP) in Auchan's logistics warehouses and stores in France.
Real-time information
The aim is to provide real-time information on its supply chain and reduce the company's environmental impact. The recyclable plastic pallets, designed by IBM Consulting, are equipped with sensors that provide real-time data to those involved in the supply chain, including the pallet's geolocation, temperature, and exposure to impact. These digital functions optimize the monitoring and overall quality of logistics management. An initial pilot tested 10,000 connected pallets in two warehouses linked to 4 Auchan stores, demonstrating how digital functionalities optimize the monitoring and overall quality of logistics management.
Event tracking throughout the supply chain
Tracking events throughout the supply chain helps to guarantee the safety and quality of the products on the pallet, especially for refrigerated products. These events lead to product loss, but also contribute to the overall environmental footprint of a supply chain, with food waste accounting for up to 5% of carbon emissions during the logistics cycle, according to a study by the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME).
Detection of factors likely to impact product quality
Using sensors connected via the Internet of Things (IoT) technology and innovative short circuits, Smart Green Pallets can detect the various factors likely to have a negative impact on the quality of goods in transit, in particular physical shocks and temperature variations. They then communicate this information to the relevant teams in the event of an alert, who can take appropriate action. This real-time visibility strengthens cohesion between all players in the supply chain, from manufacturers, transporters, and logisticians to distributors. It also helps to ensure that products reach consumers in optimum temperature conditions, thanks to innovative continuous monitoring.
According to Franck Descamps, director of Supply Chain Logistics for Auchan France, "this collaboration illustrates the profound transformation of our logistics: more connected, more efficient, and resolutely focused on the future. Thanks to Smart Green Pallets, we are taking a new step towards a responsible supply chain, capable of reconciling operational requirements and environmental commitment. It is a concrete way of better managing our flows, ensuring the quality of our products and offering our teams a safer, more ergonomic working environment."
For more information:
auchan-retail.com/fr
