BlackBerry Offers Asset Tracking for Trucking

LOUISVILLE, KY -- At this year’s Mid-America Trucking Show, communications company BlackBerry introduced an end-to-end tracking system for trucking companies and private fleet operators called BlackBerry Radar.

The system allows users to track highly mobile assets using a self-powered tracking device, a cloud-based platform and visual reports that show the location and status of each asset. Users can optimize trailer and shipping container utilization, improve on-time delivery and reduce theft without having to invest in an IT infrastructure, according to BlackBerry.

The BlackBerry Radar takes little time to install and is designed to generate rich, frequently updated information for operations managers, load planners and dispatchers. The device can send real-time alerts whenever a trailer has crossed a user-defined geofence or when a trailer door has opened or closed. It also monitors GPS location, temperature, humidity and the presence of cargo.

To access the information, BlackBerry Radar has a secure online portal with visualizations and one-click reports to show where assets are and what is happening to them.

“Within minutes of installing our tracking device, users can access timely information on their assets to help make agile decisions that can dramatically improve an organization’s profitability,” said Derek Kuhn, senior vice president, BlackBerry IoT. “All you need is a smartphone, tablet, or computer equipped with a web browser, and you can access information for real-time decision-making — wherever you are, and whenever you need it.”

For security, BlackBerry Radar encrypts all transmitted data and authenticates the device and cloud endpoints to ensure privacy between users and the service. The system is flexible, with permissions allowing other participants in the supply chain to access relevant data.

BlackBerry Radar also provides an extensible architecture and rich application programming interfaces (APIs) to help developers create applications for the freight industry. These applications can be used to create a vibrant ecosystem to address a multitude of use cases and offer complementary solutions that benefit the industry, according to BlackBerry.

BlackBerry Radar is currently in a pilot program for select trucking companies and fleets and the solution is scheduled for a full release in summer 2016.