NB-IoT Powered Last-Mile Delivery Framework for Cold Supply Chain

Abstract

Cold chain for the perishable products is gaining traction across the globe with the change in customer demand. However, the supply chain management is complicated for temperature-sensitive products. The transportation of perishable goods includes many elements—warehousing, cooling systems, reefer vehicles, and distribution. Last-mile distribution is the most critical as it relies on various transportation modes, intermediaries, and systems to maintain the right temperature throughout the transit until the perishable product reaches the final customer. Further, velocity, safety, and visibility are the key drivers that need special attention; hence, system integration is paramount. However, system integration and visibility are the major bottlenecks in the current operation. The efficiency of last-mile operation can be improved with—narrowband Internet of things (NB-IoT), a new-age technology with several benefits such as—low power, low cost, high interoperability, and broad coverage range characteristics. This paper aims to provide a conceptual framework based on NB-IoT, which should provide last-mile visibility for temperature-sensitive products. The conceptual model proposes with the help NB-IoT module, real-time information data will be collected from each vehicle until it reaches the end customer.