Regarding managing a fleet, asset tracking is only part of the equation. To ensure every trip runs smoothly from start to finish, it’s also essential to know that your trucks, trailers, cargo, and employees are where they need to be. For this reason, GPS distance alerts can now be configured on our platform.
Today, we will explain how this technology can help prevent theft, improve security, and help improve the Latin American cargo theft landscape.
Security context in Latin America
The security of the logistics chain is a central issue for the competitiveness of Latin American and world economies. The interruption of a logistics chain causes economic losses and has a propagation effect on the rest of the chain.
For example, during 2021, we could already see the effects of the interruptions that occurred during 2020 due to the pandemic, causing, for example, a shortage of microchips. Thefts also cause interruptions, so it is essential to continue building a more secure and efficient logistics chain to avoid interruptions during 2022.
Security is a hot topic in Latin America, as the region has two countries with the highest reported thefts: Brazil ranks first and Mexico third.*
Worldwide, 71% of thefts occur in vehicles versus 25% at loading or unloading facilities. For example, in Mexico, one in every 23 companies was the victim of merchandise theft in transit.
Today more than ever, it is an obligation to provide security to the cargo transportation sector and ensure the integrity of the merchandise. For this, GPS distance alerts can help us.
What are distance alerts?
In a few words, they are those alerts configured based on the link between two devices, measuring the physical distance between them. Your application works in two ways: you can decide whether to measure the distance when these devices move away or when they approach.
Navixy currently supports an interval between 5 meters as the minimum distance and 20,000 kilometers as the maximum distance. Undoubtedly, this versatile function offers a wide range of applications and benefits for fleet management.
Types of distance alerts
Below we have listed some of the most common distance alert use cases supported by Navixy. By using these alerts, you can offer safer services by reducing vehicle and cargo theft and efficiently optimizing transport logistics.
Tractor to Semi-Trailer: By installing GPS devices on semi-trailers and trailers, you can easily determine when they are separated from the cab.
Safety convoys: If all vehicles have GPS Car Tracker devices and distance alerts set, it will be possible to detect if one or more vehicles become separated from the group.
Geofences: In Navixy, you can establish geofences that can using geographic limits, but you may want to determine if the vehicle, in addition to crossing or leaving the geofence, approaches a certain place as an unloading dock. This makes tracking more accurate.
Cargo tracking: Detects if any merchandise with a device installed moves away from the delivery vehicle and receives an alert when it does.
Public transport: Controls the distance between two vehicles. It determines minimum and maximum distance rules to ensure a certain arrival time, and if they are not, alerting you to determine the cause.
GPS distance alerts to reduce theft
Thanks to the logic behind the distance alerts, you will know the exact moment the truck disconnects from a semi-trailer since you will receive an immediate alert. You could even connect these alerts with the authorities in your country, thus increasing your chances of locating the stolen cargo and reducing your losses.
There is also the case of convoys that accompany dangerous or high-value goods. With these alerts, you will know if a convoy has been disbanded, and you can contact the drivers to see what has happened and secure the merchandise in case of an incident or theft.
These alerts can also be applied to the railway industry since it reports a high theft incidence. In Mexico, for example, it is easier to steal a train because it has a fixed route (there are only two railway lines, from center to north and center to south), and its stops are always the same. Criminals take advantage of this since they already know the curves where the train must slow down, and they board the carriages, open them, or even unlink them. Distance alerts for these trains will alert you if they have been disengaged and are moving away from the main cabin.
