How Technology Helps Deliver Sweeter Strawberries

From farm to fork, technology can help improve the supply chain process

How can technology help deliver sweeter strawberries?

Good question. But, it isn’t a one-part answer. It’s a process. At the 2015 American Trucking Association Management Conference & Exhibition, we’re showing how our technology can improve the supply chain process from beginning to end. In this case, from farm to fork.

So here’s how we can start sweetening strawberries. Think about a strawberry farmer monitoring the soil for temperature, moisture, and other conditions. This prepares for a harvest and ensures optimal growing conditions.

Once the farmer plows, sows, and harvests the crops, the strawberries begin their journey to grocery stores. Where is the shipment? When will the shipment arrive? Is it too hot in the truck? These are real concerns that can impact the quality of the product. The farmer and carrier can use AT&T Cargo View with FlightSafe® to track the strawberries while in route and monitor the environmental conditions. AT&T Cargo View with FlightSafe sends near real-time updates on temperature, pressure, light exposure, and vibration. The updates offer peace of mind and ensure those sweet strawberries retain their freshness during their journey.

AT&T Cargo View with FlightSafe isn’t just for farmers. High-valued goods, including electronics, art, and chemicals can also benefit from tracking.

After the farmer has prepared and harvested the crop, it’s up to the truck drivers. With AT&T Fleet Management Solutions, they can get the critical information needed to safely deliver strawberries. If they install AT&T Fleet Management Solutions on a tablet, it serves as a hub for all their activity. It includes Hours of Service (HOS), vehicle inspection reports, forms, maintenance, International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) reporting, and more. It takes a load off of the driver by automating functions before, during, and after the transport of the strawberries.

If there’s a route or shipment change, a dispatch center can instantly communicate with the driver using AT&T Enhanced Push-to-Talk or messaging.

Sweeter strawberries are a result of constant monitoring and tracking throughout the entire supply chain process. With AT&T technology, we can track virtually anything, virtually anywhere — yielding sweeter results.

Stop by our booth at the ATA Management Conference & Exhibition (#1137) to see how AT&T technology can improve the supply chain process from farm to fork.