BioTrans' Transformation: Enhancing Service and Reliability with IoT

BioTrans is a leading provider of logistics services for the Laboratory Research transportation industry in North America. The company specializes in transporting temperature-sensitive cargo, such as research models, for their clients. This requires precise control over the temperature of each vehicle’s cargo hold throughout delivery. A variance of just a few degrees can have a significant impact on the integrity of a load, and each classification type requires a specific temperature range. BioTrans travels 7.5 million miles yearly with a fleet of 140 trucks and operates from 24 offices.

BioTrans, a leading logistics service provider for the Laboratory Research transportation industry in North America, faced a significant challenge in maintaining the integrity of their temperature-sensitive cargo. The company transports research models that require precise temperature control throughout delivery, with a variance of just a few degrees potentially compromising the load. Each classification type also requires a specific temperature range, adding to the complexity of the logistical challenge. Prior to implementing Samsara, BioTrans' quality control team could only effectively monitor temperatures for eight hours per day when someone was on shift. During the remaining 16 hours, drivers would not receive out-of-range temperature alerts, leading to cargo loss that cost BioTrans anywhere between $2,000 to $20,000 and damaged customer relationships.

BioTrans adopted Samsara's comprehensive platform, which includes Vehicle Gateways, AI Dash Cams, Environmental Monitors (EMs), Door Monitors, Cargo Monitors, and Site Visibility. This platform provided critical visibility into deliveries and verified proper protocols. BioTrans created a custom 'Compartment Report' tile within the Driver App that allowed drivers to quickly upload cargo details, including the content being transported and its required temperature range. This data was instantly uploaded and emailed to their dispatch, QA, and operations departments, eliminating the need for time-consuming phone calls. BioTrans also built a custom bot, TempBot, that automated their temperature alerting. TempBot read the 'Compartment Report' data submitted by drivers, applied the correct alert for that load's specific temperature range, and triggered alerts based on real-time temperature data from Samsara EMs. If a temperature was out of range, TempBot deciphered the truck number and driver associated with the truck, then automatically notified the corresponding manager and QA department.

• The implementation of Samsara's platform has led to significant improvements in BioTrans' operations. The Driver App has streamlined communication between drivers and the back office, leading to a decrease in internal calls, emails, and other requests for delivery updates. The use of Site cameras installed across 20+ BioTrans warehouses has provided both the internal back-office team and external clients the ability to see exactly how cargo is being handled. This has reduced the time spent reviewing video footage from hours to a few minutes. The real-time temperature alerts of EMs, combined with the complete coverage of Site Visibility, has given BioTrans a full picture into driver performance and quality assurance. This has improved customer satisfaction and streamlined cargo delivery.

• Decrease in internal calls, emails, and other requests for delivery updates
• Reduction in time spent reviewing video footage from hours to a few minutes
• Decrease in response time for out-of-range temperatures in the cargo area