SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRACKING PRODUCT ENVIRONMENT THROUGHOUT A SUPPLY CHAIN
Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring and reporting on the condition of individual items of sale throughout a supply chain are disclosed. An example method may include associate a micro-climate sensor with a corresponding individual item of sale at an early point in the supply chain and generating, via the micro-climate sensor, product flow data. The example method may further include determining flow analysis data from the product flow data. An example apparatus may include a SOP data processing circuit to interpret SOP data and a SOP deviation circuit to determine deviation data based on product flow data and SOP data.
1 . A method for monitoring and reporting on a condition of a plurality of individual items of sale throughout a supply chain, the method comprising:
associating at least one micro-climate sensor with a corresponding individual item of sale in the plurality;
generating, via the plurality of micro-climate sensors, product flow data for each corresponding item of sale;
determining flow analysis data from the product flow data; and
transmitting the flow analysis data.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the flow analysis data is for an individual item of sale.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the flow analysis data is for a type of product represented by the individual item of sale.
4 . (canceled)
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
generating, via the plurality of micro-climate sensors, subsequent product flow data for each of a subsequent plurality of items of sale flowing through the supply chain; and
determining subsequent flow analysis data from the subsequent flow data;
wherein each micro-climate sensor of the plurality corresponds to a different item of sale of the subsequent plurality.
6 .- 11 . (canceled)
12 . The method of claim 5 further comprising:
generating, based at least in part on the flow analysis data, a graphical user interface that depicts a contiguous view of the flow analysis data for at least one of the items of sale of the plurality along the supply chain.
13 - 14 . (canceled)
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the items of sale of the plurality is a produce product.
16 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the flow analysis data comprises an indication that an item of sale of the plurality has experienced at least one of a product-life shortening event or a product-quality reduction event.
17 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
storing standard operating procedure (SOP) data for at least one of the items of sale of the plurality.
18 . The method of claim 17 further comprising:
determining a deviation from the SOP data based on least in part on the flow analysis data.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein determining the deviation comprises:
comparing the flow analysis data to the SOP data.
20 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the deviation is based at least in part on a time of transit of the at least one item of sale along the supply chain.
21 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the deviation is based at least in part on a time period of at least one:
unloading the at least one item of sale at a point along the supply chain; or
a stocking event corresponding to the at least one item of sale.
22 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the deviation is based at least in on a temperature of the at least one item of sale of the plurality along the supply chain.
23 . (canceled)
24 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the deviation comprises an indication that an item of sale of the plurality has experienced at least one of a product-life shortening event or a product-quality reducing event.
25 . (canceled)
26 . The method of claim 24 , further comprising:
in response to determining the deviation, generating a sale-improvement action for the at least one item of sale.
27 . The method of claim 26 , wherein the sale-improvement action is at least one of:
moving the at least one item of sale to a location; or
discounting the at least one item of sale.
28 . (canceled)
29 . The method of claim 24 further comprising:
generating an alert message in response to determining the deviation from the SOP, wherein the alert message comprises an indication of the deviation; and
transmitting the alert message.
30 .- 61 . (canceled)
62 . A system comprising:
a plurality of reusable micro-climate sensors each structured to generate and transmit product flow data for an individual item of sale to which each reusable micro-climate sensor of the plurality is associated, the plurality of items of sale flowing through a supply chain;
a server structured to:
interpret the product flow data; and
determine and transmit flow analysis data from the product flow data; and
wherein the server is in communication with an electronic device structured to:
interpret and display the flow analysis data.
63 . (canceled)
64 . The system of claim 62 , wherein:
the server is further structured to determine and transmit deviation data from a standard operating procedure (SOP) based at least in part on comparing the flow analysis data to the SOP data, wherein the deviation data indicates a deviation from the SOP data; and
the electronic device is further structured to interpret and display the deviation data.
65 . The system of claim 64 , wherein the deviation data comprises an indication of a location in the supply chain.
66 .- 69 . (canceled)
70 . The system of claim 64 , wherein the deviation is based at least in part on a time of transit of at least one of the items of sale of the plurality along the supply chain.
71 . The system of claim 64 , wherein the deviation is based at least in part on a time period of at least one of:
unloading at least one items of sale of the plurality at a point along the supply chain; or
a stocking event corresponding to at least one item of sale of the plurality.
72 . The system of claim 64 , wherein the deviation data comprises an indication that at least one item of sale of the plurality has experienced at least one of a product-life shortening event or product-quality reducing event.
73 . The system of claim 72 , wherein at least one of the product-life shortening event or the product-quality reducing event is at least one of:
an environmental temperature that is out of compliance with the SOP data;
moisture present within a product packaging of the at least one item of sale; or
damage to a product packaging of the at least one item of sale.
74 . The system of claim 64 , wherein:
the server is further structured to generate and transmit, in response to the deviation data, a recommended action value corresponding to a sale-improvement action to be taken with respect to at least one item of sale of the plurality; and
the electronic device is further structured to interpret and display the recommended action value.
75 . The system of claim 74 , wherein the sale-improvement action is at least one of:
moving the at least one item of sale to a location; or
discounting the at least one item of sale.
76 . The system of claim 64 , wherein:
the server is further structured to generate and transmit, in response to the deviation data, a recommended action value indicating that at least one item of the plurality is to be disposed; and
the electronic device is further structured to interpret and display the recommended action value.
77 . The system of claim 64 , wherein:
the server is further structured to generate and transmit, in response to the deviation data, alert data comprising an indication of the deviation; and
the electronic device is further structured to interpret and communicate the alert to a user.
78 . (canceled)
79 . The system of claim 62 , wherein:
the server is further structured to generate and transmit visualized flow data for depicting a contiguous view of the flow analysis data for at least one of the plurality of items of sale along the supply chain; and
the electronic device is further structured to interpret the visualized flow data and display a visualization based at least in part on the visualized flow data.
80 - 85 . (canceled)
86 . The system of claim 79 , wherein the supply chain includes:
a source;
a distribution center;
a transport vehicle;
a store;
a transport to a customer location; and
locations therebetween.
87 . The system of claim 79 , wherein the supply chain includes a location in a store.
88 - 89 . (canceled)
90 . The system of claim 62 , wherein at least one of the items of sale of the plurality is a produce product.
91 - 291 . (canceled)