How is Vodafone Using IoT To Make Supply Chains Sustainable?
Every year, a staggering US$30bn in perishable medicines and vaccines is lost due to distributors' inability to monitor environmental conditions effectively during transportation.
As well as the clear concerns for patients that this causes, it also prompts the waste and re-delivery of the medicines.
This disappointing truth underscores the ongoing challenge of ensuring the safe delivery of temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals.
To solve the persistent challenge faced by the global pharmaceutical supply chain, Vodafone Business IoT, together with Controlant, are collaborating to mitigate the waste of perishable drugs and curb unnecessary carbon emissions resulting from redelivery efforts.
Together, Vodafone Business IoT and Controlant’s real-time monitoring innovations have significantly reduced carbon emissions. Specifically, their efforts prevent 53kg of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) per medicine box shipped, which is about 15% lower than the industry’s average emissions across the lifecycle of these medicines.
The Carbon Trust, an independent consultancy, reported that in 2022 alone, Controlant's deliveries prevented a total of 16,700 tonnes of CO2e.
Meet Controlant
Controlant was established in 2007 and stands as an international spearhead in pharma supply chain digital transformation. With a bold vision, the company aims to achieve zero-waste supply chains for both its partners and the environment.
The company equips pharma and logistics firms with cutting-edge environmental monitoring technology.
These tools gather critical data about temperature, location and light exposure of perishable medicines while in transit.
Harnessing IoT connectivity
The real-time monitoring capability of Vodafone Business IoT and Controlant relies heavily on Controlant's Saga devices. These gadgets are reusable data loggers fitted with Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity.
These devices are crucial for alerting companies if products deviate from predetermined temperature ranges, thereby facilitating immediate corrective measures. With more than 200,000 Saga devices active globally, their management through a central platform ensures flawless monitoring throughout the transit process.
For international deliveries, constant, reliable connectivity is vital, irrespective of the transportation mode or the continent. Each device includes a Vodafone Business IoT SIM, ensuring dependable and secure communications across 570 networks in over 180 countries globally.
“Vodafone is at the forefront when it comes to IoT connectivity,” explains Gísli Herjólfsson, Co-Founder and Co-CEO at Controlant.
“Without them, we wouldn't be able to have our devices speak to us and let us know if something goes wrong.
“Having Vodafone as a central partner means that everything just flows seamlessly, no matter where you come from or where you're going.”
Revolutionising pharma logistics
The impressive outcomes of the partnership between Controlant and Vodafone Business IoT speak volumes. Since integrating IoT technology into their systems, Controlant’s pharmaceutical supply chain clients have experienced a dramatic enhancement in successful delivery rates—surpassing 99%.
Historically, the loss rate for perishable medicines hovered around 35%, indicating a significant improvement due to these technological advancements.
During the last financial year, Vodafone Business further helped customers sidestep approximately 32.8 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions through its various digital solutions.
Vodafone's array of IoT services, including fleet management, smart metering, connected solar panels, and remote patient monitoring, have contributed to nearly 80 million tonnes of emission reductions since 2020. This transformation is a testament to how innovative technology like IoT can act as a cornerstone of sustainability in the pharmaceutical industry.
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