In 2024, we tracked over
crates, pallets, and roll cages worldwide

Asset Tracking: A Roll Cages Use Case

Whether it be on supermarket floors or retail delivery areas, we’ve all seen plenty of roll cages. They come with plenty of benefits, such as their strength and protection and their ability to allow stock to be transported quickly. 


But there are some challenges linked to roll cages that often cost businesses money, time and productivity. 


Here, we explore the benefits of roll cages and how tracking helps mitigate the challenges they can present.


Here’s the situation… 


Roll cages are commonly used by post and parcel companies because they allow irregularly shaped packages to be transported quickly and without damage.


They are also often used by retailers as they allow stock to be moved quickly, without the need for pallet trucks or forklifts. These qualities make them ideal for restocking supermarket shelves and delivering stock to small convenience stores.


Their sturdy nature makes them protective and robust. However, roll cages are expensive to buy. Despite their impressive lifespan, they can cost $100s per cage. 

The costs 


You may be thinking that, despite the hefty outlay, the long lifespan of a roll cage makes purchasing them a no-brainer. However, there are plenty of hidden costs and issues surrounding roll cages. 


Upfront costs 


A basic roll container could cost you $3250 or more.


Say you company runs a fleet of 5,000 roll cages. This would mean you have a valuable asset worth $1,250,000.


If you lose them at a rate of 10% each year, you’re losing $125,000. And 10% losses per year is pretty good going for non-tracked cages. Many companies are losing 50% of their untracked assets every year. 

Misuse and loss 


There are many reasons why roll cages are often misused or lost:


  • Retailers often continue to use them rather than returning them 
  • Post and parcel businesses send roll cages to pick up packages but are often collected by competitors 
  • Roll cages are taken for scrap value, which can be significant when metal prices are high 
  • Roll cages are often treated simply as storage or transportation for stock, rather than a valuable asset 
  • Retailers and producers often hoard roll cages to avoid running out – causing disruptions across your supply chain 


When roll cages are essential to a business’s processes, it’s a big problem if they’re not there.


For example, if a retailer doesn’t have enough cages to send packages for shipment, they resort to sending parcels in sacks. These sacks have to be manually unloaded, requiring additional labour and time.


One of our customers has even told us that this issue meant they were unable to meet 24-hour shipping targets, resulting in customer dissatisfaction and potential financial penalties. 


How can businesses reduce losses and purchases of new cages, while avoiding shortages? 


The best way to ensure roll cage management doesn’t negatively impact your processes is asset tracking. 


Tracking your roll cages ensures that: 


  • The right number are at each location 
  • Shipments are not delayed due to a lack of cages 
  • Misuse and stockpiling issues are addressed quickly and efficiently 
  • Stolen and scrapped roll cages are addressed
    (including unreliable locations prone to leaks and theft, scrap yards and stolen delivery vehicles) 


With Sensize’s technology, assets can be tracked all over the world. 


In the case shown below, all assets were intended to stay in the UK. As you can see, some roll cages were located in Ireland, France, the Netherlands, Hungary and eventually a metal scrapyard in Türkiye. 

How Sensize can help 


At Sensize, we have established that tracking can help alleviate the financial and productivity costs linked to roll cages. 

Many different types of tracker are available on the market using a diverse range of technologies including LTE-M, NB-IoT, LoRa and Sigfox, but which one is best for tracking roll cages?


It’s important to avoid tracking systems that require the installation of access points or infrastructures onsite as these can be difficult to manage, monitor and maintain. 

Usually, it’s best to choose a mainstream cellular networking system, such as LTE CAT1. 


Here’s why: 


They have the best coverage 

The metal in roll cages and the goods they carry attenuate radio signals. LTE trackers use networks with strong signals and superior coverage.


They can connect to multiple operators 

In most locations, there are three to five operators available – and it’s possible to enable LTE trackers to connect to any of these.


They enable international roaming 

Trackers should be able to connect in multiple countries. We were able to find cages in Türkiye with effective roaming. LTE trackers have the best roaming capabilities and are supported almost everywhere.


They offer long-term support 

Due to their use in many high-volume markets, LTE trackers will be around for some time. This is not the case for many esoteric technologies.


On top of this, LTE trackers are incredibly cost-effective, they are mechanically durable and their battery life matches the expected life of a roll cage, so there’s no need to worry about replacing it.


If this sounds like this suits your business, get in touch with us.


We will identify the best tracking solution for you and provide access to the Sensize Portal, enabling you to have full visibility over your assets at all times. 

Share this post by clicking below...

February 20, 2025
If you’re interested in implementing asset tracking in your supply chain, GPS tracking could be the solution. Here’s how it works.
January 22, 2025
Want to find out how we ensure quality with our trackers? Our latest article showcases what we do to make sure you get the best for your supply chain.
January 20, 2025
We're excited to announce the launch of our quarterly newsletter – an opportunity to explore the world of asset tracking, sustainability, and supply chain management together.
December 23, 2024
If you’re considering asset tracking across your logistics operations, RFID Tracking is a great first step but how does it work.
November 20, 2024
Working towards decarbonization helps both the planet and your business. But how can asset tracking support this process?
By chris.cooper October 30, 2024
Tracking your assets is vital to creating a supply chain that works for you, your team, and your external stakeholders. Sensize helps customers across the globe track their logistics operations to gain valuable, actionable insights that support their operations. Take a look at the most frequently asked questions we hear from customers and prospects alike below: What devices does Sensize use for tracking reusable packaging? Sensize offers three main devices that can be used in various combinations: a GPS tracker, a dot and an Access Point. These are designed for various use cases such as... GPS Dot Access Point How will I be able to access my tracking data? Alongside our tracking technology, you gain access to the Sensize Platform, our tailored visual reporting system, which gives you all the information you need in an easy-to-understand, digestible format. We also provide raw data access via the Sensize datafeed which you can integrate into your analytics system. By using this you can perform specialised data analysis for specific use cases. What is the Sensize Platform used for? Sensize offers a platform for reusable asset tracking and monitoring, primarily focused on assets like pallets, crates, containers, roll cages, and many others. It integrates various technologies like GPS and BLE to provide real-time insights into asset locations, movements, and conditions. The data that you will have access to also includes information on your inventory stock levels, cycle times, temperature readings, and leakage points. Can the Sensize Platform integrate with partners' systems? Yes, with Sensize, you can choose whether you would like to use our own Platform, or integrate your data in your own portal via the API – or you can do both! Sensize’s API allows for easy implementation across your organisation. Does Sensize provide training around how to use the system and how to best put data to use? Sensize offers comprehensive training for our platform to all users. This training is designed to help you and your team familiarize yourselves with the platform’s features. That includes asset management, geolocations, alerts and reporting features. This helps you make sure your business can fully leverage the portal’s capabilities to optimize your asset tracking and management processes effectively. How do I know when an asset was lost? When an asset ends up where it shouldn’t, Sensize’s tracking gives you a full overview of where each asset is at all times. That means you can see exactly where the asset is and track its movement history, so you can see when it left its planned route and where it has ended up which will usually tell you whether there’s been a theft or a loss. How do I know you can provide me the information I need? We know that when it comes to managing your logistics operations, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why we work with you and your team to determine the best reports you need to demonstrate a clear ROI from working with Sensize. When necessary, we build custom reports for all our clients to ensure they have the right visibility over the way their supply chains operate that will make a direct impact on the efficiency of the logistics operations within your organization. Can Sensize track assets across different countries? Yes, Sensize can track assets across various countries and continents. We are already supporting operations across the US, South America, Europe and Asia. How does Sensize ensure a long battery life for its devices? Sensize trackers are designed for low power consumption. Our smart trackers are configured to ensure the longest battery life possible – they activate only when necessary and when there is nothing to report (e.g. there is no movement or change in condition), they report less frequently, consuming very little power. Can Sensize devices operate in low-signal environments? Yes, our system assures that even in the most remote areas, our trackers still collect data and will upload history data as soon as the coverage improves and they can connect. Can I configure my Sensize trackers remotely? Yes, the devices can be remotely configured and managed via the Sensize management platform where users can adjust settings whenever necessary. Devices can be upgraded without the need to remove/replace them to upload advanced features as they are developed and rolled out. How does Sensize ensure the durability of its devices? Sensize designs its devices to be rugged and durable, with IP66/67-rated enclosures that are waterproof (and submersible up to 1m) and resistant to dust and impact. This ensures that the devices can withstand any expected environmental conditions, however harsh. My device didn't connect today - is it broken? There are lots of reasons a tracker might be unable to make a connection to the outside world. Trackers are often stored inside buildings away from populated areas and so cellular coverage may be weak. The cellular signal inside the building may be even poorer or non-existent; many warehouses are constructed from metal sheeting which effectively blocks cellular connectivity. In some cold-chain settings trackers may be stored inside industrial freezers; once the temperature is below –10C, the unit will temporarily halt cellular connection attempts in order to avoid potential battery damage. Our devices will regain signal after a few minutes as they boot up again. If the device can't connect, what happens to my data? Trackers store the data they record, including location data and upload it at the first opportunity. So even if a device is stored inside a deep-freezer for weeks, you’ll have its last recorded location and once it is transported to a more favourable location, it will upload the location and temperature record for the missing time. How much data can the device store? To give our customers peace of mind, Sensize makes sure its trackers can store several years’ worth of data. Why don't you report the exact route ("turn by turn") that trackers took when moving between locations? The Sensize system is optimized to provide the kind of information that is valuable to operated logistics, e.g. where do assets get stockpiled, how quickly do they cycle between locations, where do they leak from.  Turn-by-turn information is useful for tracking small numbers of high-value assets in real-time but is not useful for large scale business intelligence in the logistics sector.
September 18, 2024
Let us start by saying – you’re on the right track. Implementing RFID across your logistics operations is a critical first step for anyone looking to keep track of their assets through distribution channels. For many companies in the logistics space, it can be a costly and time-consuming endeavour, so it’s important that you are making the most out of your RFID technology. At Sensize, we call the implementation of RFID tech the “ultimate first step towards a streamlined supply chain”. But why is that? Why do companies start their tracking journey with RFID technology? RFID technology stands for Radio-Frequency Identification. It uses electromagnetic fields to automatically detect, and track tags attached to anything on your supply chain. That could be vehicles, pallets, roll cages, or any type of reusable packaging. These tags contain a unique digital identification meaning they can be tracked without the need to scan a barcode or even see the tag directly at all. Therefore, logistics managers can completely automate the documentation of shipments moving in and out of warehouses or stores and so, because of this, RFID has become a vital part of many supply chains. For logistic managers looking to explore the capabilities that asset tracking can offer, it’s the best first step, but it’s not perfect. The problems with RFID It’s a catchy headline, but here at Sensize, we don’t think RFID has many problems. However, if you're managing complex supply chains, you may have noticed some limitations and challenges: 1. Location Gaps : RFID is great at checkpoint tracking – it knows when an item enters or leaves a specific area. But what happens between those points? 2. Large Facility Challenges : In massive warehouses, knowing that a pallet has arrived somewhere in the building is helpful, but not specific enough for optimal efficiency. 3. Limited Data Insights : While RFID provides basic tracking, it doesn't offer the rich, real-time data needed for deep supply chain optimisation. Of course, Tag Collision and Reader Collision, where data can become confused due to too many tag/reader interactions at once, can also cause problems for your operations. RFID can also pose a small security risk, as RFID tags can be read by anyone with a compatible reader. If tags have unique serial numbers, these identifiers can be associated to individual consumers creating a potential privacy concern. But the biggest problem with RFID is, if you want to operate with RFID gates, the amount of investment required in its initial installation can be substantial. With such steep investment costs, it’s vital that your supply chain is set up in a way that allows you to make the most out of the data you’re collecting from your tracking efforts. RFID is really good at knowing when an item enters or leaves a warehouse, but what happens when a pallet doesn’t arrive at its expected location or if you’re operating in a larger warehouse where knowing that a pallet has arrived is useful but not entirely helpful? The power of mixed tracking RFID is a great foundation for asset tracking, but if you want to gather the best data to optimise your logistics operations, you need further tracking to work alongside it. That’s where mixed tracking comes in. By combining RFID with, GPS trackers you get a much more comprehensive view of your supply chain. That means you can better identify bottlenecks and where improvements can be made to mitigate delays and run a smoother overall operation. Here's what mixed tracking can do for you: 1. Real-Time Visibility Know where every asset is, not just when it passes checkpoints. 2. Predictive Analytics: Spot trends and predict potential issues before they become problems. 3. Enhanced Efficiency: Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies with pinpoint accuracy. 4. Loss Prevention: Drastically reduce lost or misplaced assets. 5. Data-Driven Decisions: Make strategic decisions based on comprehensive, real-time data. Your advanced supply chain tracking partner Here at Sensize, we use a range of asset-tracking options to give you a live view of your entire operation with our dashboard collecting real-time data that supports your supply chain. That means that losing pallets or roll cages becomes a thing of the past, as you’ll be aware of exactly where every asset on your supply chain is at all times. Combining technologies is the most optimal way to ensure your logistics operations are tracked fully. If you’ve taken steps to implement RFID and want to build your asset tracking capabilities further, Sensize’s technology can help you get full oversight of your entire supply chain – even in cases where assets would normally disappear.
By Luke Darcy January 20, 2023
Can you track pallets?
By Phoebe Nixon September 16, 2022
Explaining the Circular Economy
By Luke Darcy January 6, 2022
There were noticeably fewer toys on the shelves at my favourite department store this Christmas. The staff did their best to hide the lack of stock by spamming shelves with one of the toys they did have in stock, a selection of plastic food items, but it was clear there was less variety on offer this year. It was the same at the grocery store. Supermarkets filled empty shelves with pictures of the products they normally contain. There was even a full-scale fuel buying panic in the UK, with queues of cars at filling stations. All due to the supply chain crisis we are currently living through. One of the many causes of the supply chain crisis is a lack of truck capacity. During the pandemic we got used to ordering much more stuff than normal. There aren’t enough trucks and drivers to deliver it all. To make matters worse, many qualified drivers can’t work due to covid. This being the case, one would assume that every effort is being made to maximize capacity on the trucks that are available. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Two thirds of the trucks you see on the road are partially filled or empty. Only one third are carrying a full load. Trucks are empty because they normally carry the goods needed to fulfil a single order. If the order amount is less than a truckload then the truck goes partially filled. It would be better to aggregate several orders to fill a truck. There is a lot of scope for this because many shipments end up are the same receiving locations, often retail distribution centres. However, there is currently no effective way for shippers to collaborate like this. We need an efficient market for truck capacity that allows different shippers to combine orders to make full loads. It’s the classic problem of matching supply with demand. The pay-off will be lower shipping costs, reduced CO2 emission and a better selection of toys next Christmas.
Show More
Share by: