METHODS FOR SENSOR REUSE ACROSS A SUPPLY CHAIN
Methods for sensor reuse across a supply chain are disclosed. An example method may include associating a micro-climate sensor with a corresponding first item of sale of a first plurality of items of sale and generating first product flow data for the corresponding item of sale while flowing through a supply chain. The method may further include removing the micro-climate sensor from the corresponding first item of sale and associating the micro-climate sensor with a second corresponding item of sale and generating second product flow data for the second item of sale while flowing through the supply chain. The method may further include determining product flow analysis data based on the first and the second product flow data and transmitting the product flow analysis data.
1 . A method comprising:
associating at least one micro-climate sensor with a corresponding item of sale of a first plurality of items of sale;
generating, via the at least one micro-climate sensor, first product flow data for the first plurality of items of sale while flowing through a supply chain;
removing of the at least one micro-climate sensor from the corresponding item of sale of the first plurality;
associating the at least one micro-climate sensor with a corresponding item of sale of a second plurality of items of sale;
generating, via the at least one micro-climate sensor, second product flow data for each of the second plurality of items of sale while flowing through the supply chain;
determining product flow analysis data based on the first and the second product flow data; and
transmitting the product flow analysis data.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the items of sale of the first and the second plurality is a SKU.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the supply chain includes at least one of:
a source of the first plurality of items of sale; and
a source of the second plurality of items of sale.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the source of the first plurality of items of sale and the source of the second plurality of items of sale are the same source.
5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the source of the first plurality of the items of sale is different than the source of the second plurality of items of sale.
6 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the source of the first plurality is a farm.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the supply chain includes:
a source of the first plurality of items of sale;
a source of the second plurality of items of sale;
a distribution center;
a transport vehicle;
a store; and
locations therebetween.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
disposing each of the plurality of micro-climate sensors on the corresponding item of sale of the first plurality occurs at a first location; and
removing each of the plurality of micro-climate sensors from the corresponding item of sale of the first plurality occurs at a second location different from the first location.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the first location is a source.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the source is a farm.
11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the second location is a store.
12 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the second location is a location within a store.
13 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the first location is a farm and the second location is a store.
14 . The method of claim 8 , wherein disposing each of the plurality of micro-climate sensors on the corresponding item of sale of the second plurality occurs at the first location.
15 . The method of claim 1 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 an item of sale of the first or the second plurality.
16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one item of sale of the first plurality and at least one item of sale of the second plurality are at least one of:
a produce product;
a dairy product;
a meat product; or
a fish product.
17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one item of sale of the first plurality and at least one item of sale of the second plurality are frozen products.
18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one item of sale of the first plurality and at least one item of sale of the second plurality are produce products.
19 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:
determining a deviation from standard operating procedure (SOP) data by comparing the flow analysis data to the SOP data.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the deviation is based at least in part on a time of transit of at least one item of sale of the first or the second plurality.
21 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the deviation is based at least in part on a time period of at least one of:
unloading at least one item of sale of the first or the second plurality at a point along the supply chain; or
a stocking event corresponding to at least one item of sale of the first or the second plurality.
22 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the deviation comprises an indication that at least one item of sale of the first or the second plurality has experienced a product-life shortening event.
23 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the product-life shortening event is at least one of:
an environmental temperature that is out of compliance with the SOP data;
detection of moisture 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.
24 . The method of claim 19 further comprising:
in response to determining the deviation, generating a sale-improvement action for at least one item of sale of the first or the second plurality.
25 . The method of claim 24 , 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.
26 . The method of claim 19 further comprising:
in response to determining the deviation, disposing at least one item of sale of the first or the second plurality.