Data Solution Company
Business Outline
Alps Alpine’s in-house Data Solution Company aims to satisfy customer requirements through the creation of links to all kinds of data while also addressing issues that affect society as a whole and contributing to attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In an age of enormous uncertainty, looking ahead to an unpredictable future, digital transformation (DX) is an urgent and essential challenge as harnessing digital technology, such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of things (IoT) and big data, will allow us to adapt to the changing environment. Data Solution Company deploys services that advance the digital transformation, helping to build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation, exactly as the SDGs prescribe. Services are provided with a view to supporting a sustainable society. In the logistics domain, we help improve management efficiency and, by extension, address issues relating to energy and waste. In the production domain, we turn information into digital format to help overcome the labor shortage and an aging population.
Digital transformation must be implemented across the board, from the edges to the cloud. Adding sensors to the mix along with other Alps Alpine technologies, Data Solution Company develops optimal services to match customer requirements, covering acquisition through to aggregation and analysis of information previously unpresentable as data.
Our Services
An Original Service Development Process
Data Solution Company is a compact organization of marketing, planning and development teams. The process, from development of a minimum viable product (MVP) for verifying benefits, through proof-of-concept (PoC) development to deployment of the service, is carried out with flexibility and speed. We start out by sharing and empathizing with each customer’s situation and problems to uncover latent issues across the entire value chain and to devise ways of utilizing data that we then shape into new solutions together with customers. This is the advantage of our service development approach.
Available Services
Remote Monitoring Solutions for Logistics（Logistics Domain Services）
Managing assets like roll cages and pallets as part of a logistics operation is a complicated undertaking and the loss and overconcentration of such assets cause major headaches. Alps Alpine’s Data Solution Company provides DX-based solutions for visualizing and analyzing movements of valuable logistics assets to enable efficient utilization of those assets and cost improvements.
Our Remote Monitoring Solutions for Logistics involve the attachment of Alps Alpine Long-Lifetime Asset Trackers, equipped with a range of sensing and communication functions, to logistics assets. They also make use of the global IoT network of Sigfox S.A. (France) and Wi-Fi® access points to enable acquisition of highly accurate position information even from indoor locations, which has been a weak point for GPS.
The system also tests the lower limits of power consumption and cost, enabling operation without charging for 10 years*1 – the average service life of a logistics asset. Seamless indoor and outdoor positioning is accurate down to around 50 meters*2. It is therefore possible to trace assets that have become displaced or lost and also to analyze how assets become displaced and make improvements. Analysis of data logs aids optimal placement of assets by determining overconcentration and stagnation trends for each region and time period. Companies like Deutsche Post DHL Group, the world’s leading international transportation and logistics company, and AGC Inc. (Japan) are already enjoying the benefits.
*1 Assuming 1.6 measurements per day
*2 Actual value in ideal conditions, not guaranteed
- Good compatibility with indoor environments
- Retrieve highly accurate information even from indoor positions, an area of weakness for GPS
- Fixes for asset overconcentration / stagnation
- Analyze overconcentration and stagnation trends from data logs and take action
- Determination of causes of lost assets
- Trace and analyze movements of lost assets to identify causes
- No charging for 10 years
- Stable operation for extended periods without the need for maintenance
Deployment Example
Read about the Remote Monitoring Solution
for Logistics adopted by Deutsche Post DHL Group
Introduction of logistics remote monitoring solution retrofit factory DX solution system developer.
Alps System Integration Co., Ltd.: https://www.alsi.co.jp/ai-iot/factory/
Implemented examples
See here for examples of each solution using the logistics tracker service.
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Hitachi Kenki Logistics
Technology Co.,Ltd. -
ALPS LOGISTICS CO., LTD.
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ART SETTING DELIVERY
Co., Ltd.
Logistics Asset Tracking Service
We provide a variety of tools required for edge-to-cloud solution deployment and deliver an optimal service for each customer to match their needs.
Long-Lifetime Asset Tracker
Long-Lifetime Asset Tracker Modules affixed to roll cages and pallets come in a variety of dimensions and designs, including a Standard Type that surpassed one million shipments in 2022 and an easily installable Compact Type. Communication frequency is limited to instances when an asset’s movement or stopping is detected. It can be used continuously for 10 years*1 without charging or replacement. With IP67-level dust and water resistance, modules can be used reliably even in harsh environments.
Long-Lifetime Asset Tracker
Visualization Dashboard
Retrieved data can be centrally managed on a PC or smartphone. Information about managed assets is at your fingertips and includes position information, quantities at each facility, and the length of time that out-of-service assets have been stagnant. Trends can be analyzed looking at historical data so steps can be taken to prevent overconcentration by arranging for assets to be rerouted, or to reduce asset purchases. Data can also be fed into management system apps already used by the customer via an application programming interface (API).
MonoTra™ Dashboard showing
asset inventories
Communication Method
Approximately 90% of the time, logistics assets are found in indoor settings. This service locates assets using Wi-Fi® access points, which offer advantages for indoor positioning, and employs Sigfox’s low-power wide area (LPWA) communication technology. We have also deployed the MonoTra™ cloud service that employs a Precision Location positioning system provided by world-leading location technology provider Skyhook Wireless, Inc. to realize high-accuracy, high-efficiency detection and communication. We also put forward proposals corresponding to each customer’s environment, such as the addition of extra access points.
Retrofit DX Solutions for Factories（Production Domain Services）
Digital transformation (DX) of production facilities requires enormous innovation of equipment, though investment is difficult as the benefits are unclear. Data Solution Company provides solutions with a retrofit approach involving updating of existing machinery through renovation and modification. We provide services for advancing digital transformation using customers’ existing facilities.
Benefits include reduced in-person inspection workloads. Introducing a remote monitoring service eliminates the need for daily patrols over large sites and prevents visual reading and transcription errors. Remote monitoring services for ascertaining amounts of gas or liquid remaining allow levels to be checked on a system. Demand can be predicted by looking at historical trends, helping to ensure placement of orders on time. Remote monitoring systems also have benefits for worker safety by reducing the need for patrols of hazardous areas, such as high, cramped or dark places. Alerts for abnormal readings can be introduced to enable quick action when equipment problems occur. Furthermore, details of changes over time can be examined from accumulated data with monitoring of trends helping to bring about operational improvements. The services are designed with production system efficiency, cost and quality improvements, worker safety and security, and labor shortages right across society in mind.
- Reduction of fixed-point observation work
- Improve inspection efficiency by eliminating patrols of large sites
- Safety management and abnormal level monitoring
- Reduce patrols of hazardous sites and take prompt action on abnormal readings
- Remote monitoring of remaining levels
- Services enable remote checking of liquid or gas levels
- Effective use of data logs
- Use collected data for quality improvements and countermeasure development
Facility Data Remote Monitoring Service
In addition to modules for remote monitoring, we provide a variety of tools required for edge-to-cloud digital transformation of production facilities.
Analog Meter Monitoring Modules
A simple DX tool with few obstacles to adoption as it can be retrofitted to existing analog meters without cables. The ability to measure a full rotation*3 means settings can be adjusted for the particular meter, and the module also offers greater energy and space efficiency than camera-based systems. The module operates continuously for three years*4 from the time of installation. Additionally, IP65-level dust and water resistance allows stable operation even in adverse environments. A retrofittable module boasting high performance, high environmental resistance and a long operating life.
*3 App specification is 350°
*4 Assuming one transmission per hour and a 25°C environment
Visualization Dashboard
Retrieved data can be centrally managed on a PC or smartphone. E-mail alerts are sent when abnormal readings are detected, enabling immediate checking of the affected equipment. Improvements in equipment operation efficiency are also pursued by analyzing trends from historical data. Various sensors to be deployed in the future can also be centrally managed in the same way. Furthermore, data can be fed into management system apps already used by the customer via an application programming interface (API).
Communication Method
This service is compatible with Bluetooth® and various LPWA communication technologies. Supported LPWA technologies include the Sigfox global IoT network enabling low-cost, low-power, long-range transmission; LoRaWAN of Semtech Corporation (U.S.) and ZETA, the next-generation LPWA promoted by Toppan Inc. Compatible even with underground environments where reception is poor and outdoor installations conducive to rapid equipment wear, stable long-range communication between plant facilities and monitoring personnel is maintained.
Services introduced here are only a very small portion of those related to our customers’ business. Data Solution Company aims to generate new value in even more domains using its own unique technology and know-how and will accelerate the integration of latent needs and supply-led “seeds” while also utilizing Alps Alpine’s in-house and outside networks. Stay tuned for the latest developments.