Vehicle tracking and telemetry company Tracker, in partnership with US-based AI-powered supply chain visibility and intelligence provider Roambee, has launched the OKgo solution to provide businesses with actionable insights to enhance growth and resilience across local and global supply chain networks.

The AI-enabled OKgo provides visibility of inventory or assets moving through the supply chain to identify and predict bottlenecks, prioritise shipments through the bottlenecks and highlight quality and/or security problems before or as they happen.

"OKgo is a supply chain visibility platform that provides near-real-time first-, mid- and last-mile visibility across organisational boundaries, country borders and all modes of transport on one platform. It is aimed at boosting businesses’ cash flows, productivity, quality and compliance," Tracker says.

Local supply chains experience shipping route disruptions, as well as cybersecurity risks, physical asset security risks and, in some cases, poor weather conditions.

Combined with poor infrastructure causing congestion in ports, roads and rail, this results in reduced product availability and low asset utilisation, which increases operating costs.

Wholesalers and manufacturers, therefore, have to carry more inventory and working capital to hedge against supply chain disruptions. Additional inventory increases the risk of spoilage and stock losses, raising operating costs even further and limiting investment in growth, Tracker notes.

The solution can be adapted by various industries. It integrates with connected sensors for data collection, has a device-agnostic visibility platform for exception management, an AI-enabled intelligence platform for insight and foresight, and an integration hub for connecting to a company’s planning systems, warehouse management systems and/or transport management systems.

Physical, remotely controlled security locks combined with location data provide a second layer of authentication to securely manage access to assets and inventory, Tracker adds.

"OKgo uses data triangulation to combine near-real-time sensor data, external data sources and organisational data to offer an automated, comprehensive view of logistics operations, and create a digital twin.

"Typical data collected via sensors includes location, temperature, humidity, shock and tilt. External data includes information from cargo ships, flight schedules, weather conditions, port and road congestion," it says.

Further, organisational data includes information from the company’s warehouse management system, transport management system or enterprise resource planning system, adds Tracker.

The solution's rules engine enables the management of exceptions as they happen and ensures strict adherence to standards with electronic proof-of-delivery and item-level auditable tracking, protecting assets and shipments across land, air or sea.

"This real-time, location-based information enables cold-chain operators to, for instance, rescue cold-chain shipments that are at risk from temperature fluctuations, detect theft or tampering of goods, and better manage inventory," the company says.

“The launch of OKgo in partnership with Roambee combines world-class technology with Tracker's trusted expertise to deliver visibility and control. This partnership is set to redefine how businesses manage their logistics, driving efficiency, security and growth in an increasingly complex environment,” says Tracker CEO Wayne de Nobrega.

This partnership introduces South Africa's first true end-to-end supply chain visibility solution. With OKgo, businesses can harness innovative technology to bolster productivity and growth and empower leaders with the insights to stay ahead in a competitive market, says OKgo MD Michael Olivier.

“The solution leverages our advanced technology, which has been proven effective in emerging markets globally,” says Roambee CEO Sanjay Sharma.

A multinational pharmaceutical company achieved 100% real-time visibility across its primary distribution network using Roambee. This capability not only prevented two hijackings over three years but also enabled the company to successfully implement a just-in-time model, significantly improving on-time, in-full delivery compliance.

“Our platform will now empower South African businesses to achieve greater visibility, efficiency and growth in their supply chains,” he says.