The Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming various industries and the FMCG retail sector is no exception. Among the many IoT applications in this field, Point of Sale (PoS) refrigerators equipped with IoT capabilities stand out due to their potential to enhance efficiency, ensure product quality and provide substantial benefits to the brand.

 

What are the key components of an IoT solution?

 

IoT devices includes three main components:

 

1.         

 

Sensing hardware

IoT hardware may include temperature sensors that keep track of the internal temperature to ensure ideal conditions for food preservation.

Compressor sensors that monitor the compressor, which is responsible for cooling the refrigerator, to maintain energy efficiency and prevent overheating or malfunction.

Fan sensors that monitor the operation of the fan. This includes how the fan circulates air inside the fridge to maintain cooling throughout the day.  

By continuously monitoring these components, IoT refrigerators can optimize energy usage, maintain consistent cooling, and alert users to any potential issues.

 

2.

 

 Gateway

A network component that acts as a translator between IoT devices and other network entities such as servers, applications, and other devices. The gateway Collects data and transmits it to a cloud-based portal.

How does it work?

The IoT device transmits data to the gateway (periodically or in real-time).

The IoT gateway translates the data packets into the appropriate format for any recipients.

These recipients receive the data – For Sollatek products, this is the online portal.

 

3.

 

Portal/mobile app access

Users access the data through an online portal/app. The web-based platform collects information from the gateway and presents the most relevant information to users. 

 

 

FDEx2i 

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JEA Range

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GMC5

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Innovation and Solutions by Sollatek

Sollatek designs and develops IoT-enabled devices, some of which are all-in-one IoT products, used worldwide by companies seeking a competitive edge in the commercial refrigeration market. Devices such as the FDEx2i, JEA and GMC5 offer advanced monitoring and data transmission capabilities. These devices collect and transmit data to an easily accessible online portal, allowing users to view detailed information about their equipment.

 

When used effectively, businesses can increase or decrease stock based on sales data and other monitored factors, such as door openings. As a result, companies can make informed decisions about stock levels and asset deployment, ensuring optimal product availability and reducing waste. Furthermore, these products help save costs because they require only a single installation, which reduces overall installation expenses. Greater visibility leads to better business decisions which directly improve the bottom line.

 

What are some benefits of IoT Refrigeration?

Increase Revenue Through Instant Data – By remotely monitoring temperature, brands can identify revenue risks and address them promptly. The centralised dashboard provided real-time insights, while automated alerts ensured that threshold breaches were dealt with immediately.

Greater Visibility with Asset Tracking – Integrating geo-location and asset tracking through IoT technology significantly enhances visibility. Tracking assets is crucial because they sit on companies balance sheets which are then accounted for. Implementing IoT asset tracking can help to prevent, detect, and recover lost equipment which prevent losses for businesses. This can apply to fridges/freezers in the process of being deployed from warehouse to retail outlet, as well as post-deployment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equipment Maintenance – IoT data can reveal larger trends over time, indicating when equipment upgrades, or supply chain reorganisations are necessary. Predictive maintenance, another significant benefit, uses IoT sensors to predict future repair needs based on historical data and current conditions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

IoT-enabled PoS refrigeration equipment are revolutionising the FMCG (food and beverage) industry by significantly enhancing operational efficiency, ensuring food safety and providing substantial sales benefits to businesses. These advanced devices offer continuous monitoring, real-time data insights and automated alerts, allowing businesses to promptly address issues and optimise their operations.