TrakLok innovation offers secure and visible tracking of shipments across US-Mexico border

July 17, 2009 - PRLog -- Multiple companies support first international test


Knoxville, TN—TrakLokTM Corporation (TrakLok) successfully completed its first international test of its GeoLokTM locking and tracking solution for shipping containers. Along with Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCS), Kansas City SmartPort, Inc., and EDS Systems, Inc., TrakLok Corporation successfully tracked a shipment containing Samsung electronics from San Luis Potosi, Mexico, to Charlotte, North Carolina. The shipment crossed the US-Mexican border at Laredo, Texas. The GeoLokTM system transmitted the position and condition of the container continuously throughout the entire transit, even in areas of no cellular coverage. Stakeholders were also successfully able to view the information through TrakLok Corporation’s web portal, TrakLogTM.

By employing the TrakLok solution, KCS will address the issue of increasing cargo theft in Mexico.  “We are thrilled to be working with a visionary company like KCS” said TrakLok’s CEO, Eric Dobson.  

According to a report from Latin Business Chronicle, cargo theft in Mexico “has taken on new and more sophisticated patterns” as the “nexus between organized crime and the drug trade continues to expand.” With this increased theft comes increased cost.

According to the Mexican Association of Insurance Companies, insurance premiums increased by almost $1 million last year for policies covering material damages and cargo theft. The introduction of TrakLok’s security and visibility solution stands to significantly reduce this risk.

TrakLok Corporation is commercializing a combined container locking and tracking solution. With the GeoLokTM, only an authorized person at the right time and place can access the contents of the container.  This solution provides real-time information about the condition and location of high valuable cargo and provides a means of securing entry to the container in order to reduce losses and enables better utilization decisions. The GeoLokTM solution provides physical security and container/cargo tracking throughout the entire supply chain with road, rail, and marine segments all interacting fluidly throughout the full life-cycle of a container shipment.

“TrakLok offers a unique and proven system for tracking and securing international cargo” said Chris Gutierrez, President of Kansas City SmartPort.  “We were pleased to work with the team on this test and on future integration with SmartPort’s Trade Data Exchange.”

Asset visibility information provided through the TrakLogTM can be used in Transportation Management Systems to increase efficiency in shipping and supply chains. The GeoLokTM system provides information on idle containers that can put into use, if a shipment is ahead or behind schedule, if a container has deviated from its predetermined course or if a shipment needs to be triaged and unloaded quickly. It also can give information on the condition of the shipment itself by communicating with sensors that detect temperature, humidity, light, even spoilage.

TrakLok has integrated physical security technologies with several wireless technologies to track containers globally, and has developed a web accessible information-technology based global tracking system. The information provided by the GeoLokTM is accessible through TrakLogTM where users can obtain the location and condition information of a given container from any computer or web enabled device. TrakLogTM solves problems for companies managing cargo and containers in the supply chain including asset security, asset visibility, condition and inventory monitoring, and asset utilization with an audit trail.

“I have worked with many technology applications and devices. TrakLok is by far the most impressive option I have seen offering an integrated solution of tamper indicative robust barrier seal with GPS monitoring. Kansas City Southern de Mexico will be deploying this device with many customers” said Jim Kniestedt, Head of Security, KCS.




ABOUT THE FIRMS
KCS is an international transportation holding company comprised of three primary railroads: Kansas City Southern Railway, Kansas City Southern de Mexico, and the Panama Canal Railway Company. KCS provides a wide variety of shippers, from the local farmer to major manufacturers around the world, with competitive and reliable transportation solutions to and from burgeoning markets throughout North America. With safety being the first priority, KCS strives to satisfy its customers by going beyond customer expectations and exceeding service commitments. The addition of TrakLok’s security and tracking solution will help enhance the commitment KCS has to its customers and address critical concerns of homeland security.

Kansas City SmartPort is America’s Inland Port Solution based in the greater Kansas City area.  SmartPort’s Trade Data Exchange is a supply chain data visibility tool being developed for the private sector.  The system allows complete visibility from any point to any point integrating data across the global supply chain.

TrakLok is a product and service company deploying a solution to secure and globally track intermodal shipping containers.  TrakLok provides a combined service offering to companies shipping high value, high interest, and hazardous materials.  TrakLok sets the foundation for an end to end cargo tracking and security management system that stands to dramatically increase the security of cargo and containers while maximizing the efficiency of their movement and storage. Using physical security technologies, wireless communications, and wireless sensor networking, the GeoLokTM and TrakLogTM solution provides lock-tight security in a total asset visibility approach for high value and high interest shipments throughout the world.

EDS Systems, an HP company, is a leading global technology services provider delivering business solutions to its clients.

For more information contact:

Eric Dobson, Ph.D., CEO and Director,
TrakLok
2450 E.J. Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996
(865) 332-1813
www.traklok.net

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TrakLok is a product and service company deploying a solution to secure and globally track intermodal shipping containers. TrakLok provides a combined service offering to companies shipping high value, high interest, and hazardous materials. TrakLok sets the foundation for an end to end cargo tracking and security management system that stands to dramatically increase the security of cargo and containers while maximizing the efficiency of their movement and storage. Using physical security technologies, wireless communications, and wireless sensor networking, the GeoLokTM and TrakLogTM solution provides lock-tight security in a total asset visibility approach for high value and high interest shipments throughout the world.