How Telematics Is Transforming Refrigerated Transport

Bhushan Paralkar, VP IT & Business Excellence, Snowman Logistics Limited, engaged in a conversation with Thiruamuthan, Correspondent at Industry Outlook, discusses how India’s refrigerated transport sector is evolving through telematics and command centers that improve fuel efficiency, temperature control, and security. He emphasizes how automation and predictive technologies are reducing costs, minimizing spoilage, and shaping a more resilient, future-ready cold chain ecosystem. Bhushan Paralkar, a seasoned supply chain strategist with nearly two decades of experience, specializes in WMS, cold chain, and multi-brand retail. Renowned for driving innovation, he has delivered award-winning IT solutions and transformative business excellence frameworks.

With refrigerated transport in India facing escalating fuel costs and compliance pressures, how are real-time telematics and command centers transforming operational efficiency today?

In India's refrigerated transport sector, escalating fuel costs and stringent compliance requirements present a formidable dual challenge. To combat this, the industry is witnessing a significant transformation through the adoption of real-time telematics and centralized command centers, which are now serving as the primary tools for operational efficiency. This technology provides granular data on everything from driver behavior and reefer unit performance to route efficiency. For example, we at Snowman Logistics have leveraged an RPA-based fuel recommendation system and our command center to analyze real-time fuel prices and provide structured guidance for refueling. This data-driven, automated approach has led us to a remarkable 5%+ reduction in fuel expenses on over 12,000 trips annually, translating to a staggering INR 1.1 Cr. in yearly savings. Additionally, this automation has eliminated over 1,000 hours of manual labor, enhancing our reputation for reliability and efficiency in a challenging market.

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Recent supply chain disruptions have exposed the difficulty of maintaining temperature stability across long-haul routes. In what ways are telematics insights reducing spoilage and compliance risks?

Recent supply chain disruptions have underscored the critical difficulty of maintaining temperature stability across long-haul routes, particularly for a diverse portfolio of temperature-sensitive products. Telematics insights are now non-negotiable for addressing this issue, providing continuous, two-way temperature control and enabling an "exception-first" alerting model. If a reefer door is left open or a temperature excursion is detected, a 24-hour command center is immediately notified, allowing for real-time intervention to prevent spoilage. This level of proactive management significantly reduces product loss and the risk of temperature-related claims. Our infrastructure, which includes multi-temperature zones ranging from -25 °C to +25 °C, blast freezing technology down to -40 °C, and a full power backup, ensures uninterrupted service and reinforces our commitment to quality and compliance across every single shipment.

The growing reliance on command centers has positioned them as the nerve hub of cold chain logistics. What specific interventions are now being enabled beyond monitoring?

Our command centers are the true nerve hub of our cold chain logistics. They enable us to move far beyond simple monitoring to active, data-driven interventions. By analyzing reefer unit data, we can predict and schedule preventive maintenance, ensuring maximum uptime for our vehicles and preventing on-road failures that could compromise cargo. We also use real-time data to dynamically correct routes, steering our drivers away from unexpected traffic or detours, which guarantees on-time delivery and optimizes fuel usage. Security is paramount, and our systems provide immediate alerts for unauthorized door openings or route deviations, allowing us to take immediate action to protect valuable cargo. This comprehensive control is what allows us to serve over 1,050 cities with consistent reliability.

Digital transformation is advancing rapidly in logistics, yet telematics-ERP integration remains fragmented. What progress and innovations are helping operators achieve true end-to-end visibility?

Digital transformation is advancing rapidly in logistics, yet the fragmentation between telematics and ERP systems remains a well-known industry challenge. Operators are now addressing this by integrating real-time telematics with their Transport Management System (TMS) and other key data sources to achieve true end-to-end visibility. This integration is often facilitated by robotic process automation (RPA), which seamlessly pulls trip details and real-time fuel rates to generate optimal fueling stops and routes. By leveraging geofencing technology for adherence tracking, any deviations from the recommended plan are immediately flagged to a central command center for proactive intervention. This data-driven, automated approach streamlines processes, enhances operational efficiency, and reduces manual labor, leading to significant cost savings and improved profitability.

Rising concerns around theft and tampering are heightening risks for high-value perishables. Which telematics-enabled safeguards are proving most effective in strengthening cargo security?

Rising concerns around theft and tampering have heightened risks for high-value perishables, making robust, multi-layered, telematics-enabled security a priority. The cornerstone of this security is a real-time alerting system that provides a secure chain of custody, often beginning with smart locks and RFID e-seals linked directly to a central command center. This comprehensive safety net is designed to immediately flag any uncertainty that could compromise cargo, including temperature deviations, unauthorized vehicle stops, extended idling, or any instance where a vehicle deviates from a pre-defined geofenced area or authorized route. This multi-layered notification system ensures that all relevant stakeholders are informed simultaneously, enabling a dedicated team to follow up with immediate phone calls and ensure a prompt and effective resolution.

Also Read: Why the Next Phase of India’s Growth Hinges on Logistics, Not IT Services

Emerging technologies like AI, IoT, and blockchain are converging with logistics operations. How do you see command-center-led refrigerated transport evolving into predictive and autonomous ecosystems in India?

We believe the future of refrigerated transport lies in a predictive and autonomous ecosystem driven by the convergence of AI, IoT, and blockchain. IoT will continue to provide real-time data from every asset, creating a massive, interconnected network. AI, along with advanced statistical methodologies, will use this data to predict potential issues before they arise, further optimizing routes and automating decisions. Blockchain will secure this entire data chain, ensuring an immutable record of product custody and temperature integrity. Our command center, already a hub of proactive management, is evolving into a predictive engine that ensures seamless logistics operations, anticipating customer needs and delivering a new level of efficiency and transparency.