How it all began

In 2014, on January 1st, SAVVY® started company operations. The 15-member team surrounding Ms. Kaeser was however not  at all new to her and the branch. Most members of the team already knew each other and had worked together on developing innovations. This gave them a clear competitive advantage. At the time, the founding duo, André Schär and Aida Kaeser, had developed a promising but nevertheless daring and individual approach: A completely new IioT device generation combined with a modern innovative software approach which made it possible – a first at the time – to display customer-specific processes in the system, so customer data could be used to make a comprehensive business intelligence evaluation.

Innovators are visionary pioneers, experienced entrepreneurs, fabulous problem solvers AND SAVVY customers

SAVVY® develops logistics-specific APP and software applications, telematic-supported business intelligence evaluations, its own telematic and IioT devices, and sensors. All of these competence areas combined with years of experience in process consulting result in a comprehensive range of services for industrial, chemical, pharmaceutical and logistics companies.  The objective:  Thanks to efficient work and  logistics processes,  companies  increase their added value, sustainability, and Co2 savings.

The objective is to increase the added value, sustainability, and Co2 savings of these companies along the entire supply chain.

To celebrate with its customers, SAVVY® is offering a one-time-only anniversary rebate of 10% on the next CargoTrac order made before or on December 31, 2023. Feel free to contact us – we look forward to a lively and interesting exchange!

The SAVVY® CargoTrac-Solar is designed for year-long autonomous use, especially in goods and container operations on rails.The solar-powered version with an integrated backup battery eliminates the need for a wired power supply. Combined with extremely energy-efficient technology, maintenance-free operating periods of more than 15 years are possible.

The device can be installed easily and quickly. The SAVVY®  solution pays itself off within a few  months because it can be easily integrated into existing systems (e.g. via ITSS IF2) and provides great added value.

SAVVY® CargoTrac-Solar uses, like the other devices in the CargoTrac telematics device series, proven technologies such as GPS, GLONASS as well as BeiDou and Galileo to determine coordinates. This enables seamless tracking & tracing along the shipping chain. Sector-specific applications, combined with dedicated interfaces, make the SAVVY® CargoTrac-Solar an efficient platform for processing sensor signals and monitoring entry terminals, doors and switches, cooling and heating units, and much more. The device is therefore also suited for monitoring temperature-controlled shipments, controlling heating and cooling units remotely and for stationary applications, e.g. determining filling and pressure levels at LNG and chemical plants.

SAVVY’s Smart Bogie

Presented for the first time at the Transport & Logistics Fair 2023 in Munich, where it generated a lot of interest: the “Smart Bogie”, SAVVYs newest innovation!

The device highlights the clear advantages of intelligent telematics:

The SAVVY® CargoTrac-Solar is combined with the SAVVY® SenseGateway-ExR-2DMS, as a sensor-HUB with four wired connection options, directly on the bogie. Possible sensors include:

• + Temperature sensors to determine axle bearing temperatures to enable increased safety during daily shipments;
• + Brake wear sensors to optimize maintenance processes and reduce costs;
• + Vibration measurements for improved flat spot detection;
• + Option to connect up to two SAVVY® LoadCell-Ex to a SAVVY® SenseGateway-ExR-2DMS.

Installation is easy and inexpensive. The SAVVY® LoadCell-Ex can simply be clamped or screwed onto the bogie. Detecting incorrect weight, load shifts and/or full/empty status becomes a walk in the park.

The telematics unit records all relevant data and transmits an encoded version to the SAVVY® Synergy Enterprise web portal. The integrated eSIM-Chip ensures worldwide communication. SAVVY® Synergy Enterprise’s BI technology transforms the recorded data into information and visualizes it almost in real-time in straightforward and easy to use dashboards designed according to customer specifications.This makes it possible to generate the necessary quality certificates and reports automatically, significantly reducing administrative work.

In the hardware area, SAVVY® will present its latest generation of ATEX-certified telematics devices on the “Smart Bogie” use case in cooperation with Wabtec and Jumo:

The new, solar-powered SAVVY® CargoTrac-Solar with the highest ATEX/ IECEx/ UKEx certification, temperature class T6 as well as connectivity options for various wired and wireless industrial sensors. As usual, durable and maintenance-free for up to 15 years.

The SAVVY® SenseGateway-ExR-2DMS as a sensor HUB with 4 wired connection options mounted directly on the bogie. The possible sensor technology includes:

• • > Temperature sensors to determine the axle bearing temperature for increased safety in daily traffic;
  • > Brake abrasion sensors for optimization of maintenance processes and cost savings;
  • > Vibration measurements for improved flat spot detection;
  • > Possibility to connect up to 2 SAVVY® LoadCell-Ex to one SAVVY® SenseGateway-ExR-2DMS.

The SAVVY® LoadCell-Ex can be installed quickly and cost-effectively by simply clamping or screwing it to the bogie. Weighing, load shifting or full/empty detection thus become child’s play.

Visitors can explore “Smart Bogie” mounted in this combination at SAVVY’s long-time customer TRANSWAGGON at the Outdoor Area, Track 2/1.

In the software area, visitors can also gain impressions of the further development of the award-winning, cloud-based SAVVY® Synergy Enterprise Portal. In addition to more than 30 industry-specific functions for the digitalization of the logistics workflow, data can be processed directly from SAVVY® Telematics as well as from third-party providers.

From geofencing, shipment monitoring and ETA determination to performance analyses and customized reports to a mobile app (available in iOS & Android), the SAVVY® Synergy Enterprise Portal offers future-oriented added value.

The malfunction management via app is particularly noteworthy: Malfunctions of any kind on the wagon (or other assets) can be recorded directly on site, documented and the workflow tasks forwarded to other persons for handling/notification.

Based on SAVVY® technologies, processes in transport logistics and related business areas can be digitally networked and optimized in a targeted manner. Companies obtain optimal and continuous traceability for means of transport and transport units, automate administrative processes, can increase the productivity of their transport processes and develop new, value-added services for customers or associated business units. This makes Digitization 4.0 fun!

TRANSWAGGON leases out part of its fleet to a logistics provider that specializes in rail transport for the Scandinavian lumber industry. To be used in northern Europe, the telematics units have to withstand the harshest climatic conditions. The batteries in SAVVY® devices work reliably, even in temperatures up to – 40 degrees Celsius. The telematic units are not only very robust, they determine the position with an accuracy of up to two meters. At more than 1,000 points of interest (POI), such as loading and unloading stations or shunting yards, the software automatically calculates the distance to the next ten POIs.

This makes it possible for transport planners to maintain an overview of all their shipments and the exact position of each individual wagon. This seamless tracking & tracing enables TRANSWAGGON’s customers to organize their processes more efficiently. In addition, they benefit from increased shipping safety. SAVVY® CargoTrac-ExR MI devices have shock detectors: built-in sensors detect vibrations for which threshold values can be defined in x-, y-, and z- directions. If a threshold value is exceeded, the engine driver and the planner can immediately receive a notification.

Each liquid has a temperature range that it must not fall below or exceed, for example from 18 to 40 degrees Celsius. RINNEN wants to provide the highest possible degree of shipment safety to its customers even for products with a narrow temperature range. SAVVY Telematic Systems has provided a solution that does exactly that. “We have developed a device that measures the temperature inside the tank”, explains Bernhard Weiland, Key Account Manager for the Swiss telematics provider. “A replaceable thermowell with a PT 1000 sensor is inserted into the tank from the top. The sensor is only separated from the liquid by the tube fitting, thereby providing exact measurements.”

The sensor is connected to the SAVVY Sense Gateway-ExR, an ATEX-certified telematics unit installed on the top of the container. The Gateway device communicates via radio with the CargoTrac base unit. The unit sends data to the SAVVY Synergy Enterprise Portal. The web-based platform enables the RINNEN fleet management team to maintain an overview of all transport variables such as current location, temperature, pressure, and container fill level at all times.

SAVVY also provides RINNEN with a seamless tracking&tracing solution. This makes it possible to determine the estimated time of arrival (ETA). Up to now, ETA was calculated and displayed using a telematics system in its own vehicles. The downside: It was not possible to maintain an overview in the case of combined shipments. “We were able to provide a realistic ETA for the initial and final legs by truck but not during the main leg via rail, inland waterway or sea”, explains Oliver Brucks, Head of Vehicle Fleet Management at RINNEN. “SAVVY has enabled us to close this gap. Every 15 minutes, the Cargo-Trac units on the tank containers send out their GPS position to the Synergy Portal, which then calculates the current ETA. This way we can provide our customers with current data when they need to plan their delivery, regardless of whether the containers are located on our trucks or are being shipped with one of our freight partners.” In the chemical industry, ETA is a key variable. Just-in-time systems are used for a lot of production processes, which is why seamless supply chain coordination is essential.

In a mutual pilot project, RINNEN and SAVVY are working to also determine fill levels even more reliably. To determine if a tank container is full or empty, the logistics company currently relies on on-site data. The ERP system assigns the status “full” or “empty” to a container when it passes through or arrives at certain geographical positions, such as a trans-shipment point, a border crossing or a final destination. For example, the status changes to “empty” as soon as a tank container leaves the point of interest (POI) such as “Factory Customer XY”. However, imprecise information concerning fill levels cannot be completely ruled out with this method because the rules cannot cover all possible POIs. An innovative solution would ensure a higher degree of precision: Instead of deriving the fill levels indirectly from the position data, sensors detect even the smallest deformations in the container reinforcement struts – a reliable indicator of the container’s fill level.

In addition, other influencing factors are included that could otherwise distort the results if they are not considered. The two companies are developing an algorithm which generates a robust value under consideration of different factors in order to reliably calculate fill levels. With this method RINNEN wants to further increase transport safety. Thanks to the telematic data, the forwarding company has transport statuses constantly under control. If the data deviates from the target values, the software automatically sends alarm notifications to enable drivers and fleet managers to respond immediately. Drivers are connected per tablet with the Synergy Portal, while the managing clerks have access per web-browser on their desktop PC. The alarms can be configured so that designated persons receive email notifications and that others are notified when the first group of people cannot be reached.

In this context, the Synergy Portal serves as a collaboration platform. With the aid of this tool, RINNEN can allow customers who so desire to gain direct access to the telematic data. They receive a common user access to simply log on to the portal. At one glance, they can see the current position of the shipments and the estimated arrival time on a map. Data concerning temperature, fill stand etc. are also shown in real-time.

The objective of the research project was to develop a reliable early detection system using telematic devices without the need of installing an external sensor system and transmitting information to the IT system environment via API interfaces.

When the project was launched, Wascosa AG had already equipped several hundred intermodal wagons with telematic systems developed by SAVVY Telematic Systems AG. This fleet of intelligent freight wagons constituted a solid foundation for the 1-year project’s proof of concept. With average kilometrage exceeding 100,000 km – even 200,000 km are not rare – intermodal wagons are some of the most intensely used freight wagons in the business. Correspondingly, flat spots will affect noise emissions.

However, noise perception, especially as it pertains to trains, not only depends on the volume but also on the characteristics of a sound emission. While the sound of a passing freight train can be heard from quite a distance, it is not necessarily annoying; a flat spot on the other hand generates a distinct, unnatural periodic thumping sound.

During operations there are a lot of factors that have an effect on the wheel (imbalance, uneven running surfaces and infrastructure etc.) and the wagon (natural vibrations, load influences etc.). This leads to a wide range of different overlapping frequencies which are perceived as a “whooshing” sound. Not every recurring vibration is a flat spot and, vice versa, not every disturbance on the running surface corresponds to a flat spot. It is therefore important to find significant correlations between the measured data of the affected wagons and the dimensions of the flat spots on the wagon wheels.

For the whole duration of the research and development project, the SAVVY® CargoTrac-Ex telematics device recorded innumerable parameters, such as e.g. accelerations in three axes (x, y, and z), the velocity or position of the Wascosa wagons. At SAVVY, big data analyses were conducted with the large amount of data collected from the Wascosa wagons to recognize flat spot patterns and develop reliable algorithms for flat spot detection.

The aim of the flat spot algorithm developed by SAVVY is to analyse, evaluate and transform the vibration parameters in the time and frequency range so that it generates significant and reliable indicators of the wagon’s dynamic vibration behaviour. The measured data is processed directly on the telematic system. The resulting indicators are recorded locally on the telematic system and compared with historical parameters. If there is a flat spot on the wagon, then an alarm is set off.

The final algorithm was successfully integrated into the telematic firmware and rolled out on the Wascosa wagon fleet during the project. Initial applications for other SAVVY customers have confirmed the algorithm’s effectiveness: new flat spots were also reliably detected in that context.

From the onset, the research project was aimed at developing a solution for operators that was economical and suited for everyday use. Each development stage was reviewed in this respect and the results were optimised accordingly. Thanks to the SAVVY team’s experience and the large amount of data from Wascosa’s high-performance intermodal fleet, a procedure was created that hardly affects the telematic system’s power consumption, thereby protecting existing investments. In addition to noise reduction and added safety, positive economic effects are also expected thanks to the early remedy of defects.

The key to this reliability lies in SAVVY team’s 20 years of experience in developing high-precision, robust telematic devices and intelligent software algorithms. The algorithms make the telematic device intelligent in such a way that notifications are only sent if needed. Transmission in 10 minute intervals e.g. is not required. In addition, the device’s battery-saving software intelligence ensures an autonomous lifecycle of up to 15 years.

SAVVY ATEX-certified telematics units offer performance and durability well above industry standards, opening up the full spectrum of digital process optimization to hazardous materials logistics. With SAVVY’s technologically leading telematics units, absolute freedom from maintenance and autonomy is guaranteed over the entire service life up to 15 years – even under the harshest conditions. Based on SAVVY technologies, companies in transport logistics obtain optimal traceability for means of transport and transport units, automate administrative processes, can increase the productivity of their transport processes and develop new, value-added services for customers or associated business units.

The cloud-based SAVVY® Synergy Enterprise portal not only makes logistics processes transparent, but also offers comprehensive collaboration options for quick exchange and easy coordination with all parties involved. This is complemented by powerful business intelligence tools that enable rapid analyses of business processes and reliable forecasts. On this basis, processes in transport logistics and related business areas can be digitally networked and optimized in a targeted manner.

The SAVVY CargoTrac-ExR is approved for Zone 1 hazardous areas (gas, dust) and is suitable for a wide variety of transport units: Containers, IBCs, freight cars of all types, and rail tank cars. An internal acceleration sensor reliably detects shocks, impacts, vibrations and accelerations in the range of ±8g. Furthermore, an integrated GNSS receiver ensures precise positioning up to an accuracy of 2m. All common satellite systems like GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS, SBAS are supported. All antennas are integrated in the device, so no external antenna connections are necessary. As a further innovation, CargoTrac-ExR offers the possibility to connect external sensors also via a 2.4GHz ZigBee radio interface. In addition, there is a sensor gateway, with encrypted data transmission:

The SAVVY® Sense Gateway-ExR, for Zone 0 and Zone 20 hazardous areas, offers four connection options for manufacturer-independent ATEX sensors for monitoring temperature, pressure, fill levels or interlocks. Two internal temperature sensors detect ambient and operating temperature, plus a reed switch can detect external changes via a magnet (e.g. door opening, gateway removal, lever position, etc.). With SAVVY’s scalable telematics system solution based on CargoTrac-ExR, companies from the hazardous goods logistics sector can digitally network, monitor and agilely manage their business processes: for maximum productivity in transport, handling and storage, but also to further increase value creation in logistics through new, customer-centric services.

SAVVY® also supports the ITSS standard interface between server-side telematics applications (independent of the vendor) and the end customer’s IT environment. The SAVVY® devices communicate wirelessly and are “ITSS2-ready” for the future vendor-interoperable radio standard from TIS/ITSS. This guarantees a manufacturer-independent data exchange at any time. Separate software that consolidates different telematics manufacturers and unites them in a separate portal is thus a thing of the past – welcome independence, welcome digitalization 4.0!

SBB AG needs reliable data on SBB railroad wagon operations and positions to optimise their operations and maintenance. The invitation to tender stipulated that hardware and software with a minimum life cycle of seven years was required for its “GPS rail vehicles – HW and portal solution” project. SAVVY offered a telematics system solution based on innovative hardware and software technologies tailored to SBB’s needs and was awarded the contract in mid-August 2017. To enable cost-efficient software operations, SBB required an SaaS solution that also enables flexible user management, mobile access, personalised data visualisation and ad-hoc evaluations.

During the first phase of the project, SAVVY® will equip 250 SBB railroad wagons with high-performance SAVVY® FleetTrac telematics units; in the second phase, up to 500 more railroad wagons will follow. The data gathered from the hardware is automated and brought together in the SAVVY® Synergy Portal, the central management platform. In accordance with SBB’s tender documents, all SAVVY® Synergy Portal users should be in the 3 to 4 digit range and access distributed among approximately 50 different user groups. This allows SBB to always have access to reliable, consistent operating data and position information.

Thanks to the manufacturer-independence and high connectivity of SAVVY hardware and software, SBB infrastructure is also able to consolidate the telematic systems currently in use. Last but not least, the consistent data collected from a central location is automatically available for other business applications or effective evaluations. SAVVY technology’s consistent data management and openness support SBB infrastructure in continuing to effectively develop its fleet management processes and the forward-looking services based on them.

The SAVVY solution creates a basis with which SBB infrastructure is able to both continue to optimise the transparency and productivity of its fleet management for day-to-day operations but also to develop forward-looking services tailored to the needs of its internal customers.