BT deploys new IoT devices across the Port

BT and Associated British Ports (ABP) are trialling the next generation of smart technology to speed up the movement and processing of cargo goods and digitise the Port of Ipswich’s operations for the 21^st Century.

ABP and BT have installed Internet of Things (IoT) devices on cranes and transport equipment, which are used for the safe and efficient collection and transportation of cargoes across the port. The insights generated by BT’s cutting-edge technology are being used to help speed up operations at the port as well as cutting costs and ensuring efficient use of machinery.

Smart IoT sensors collect data and feed it into a BT digital platform that helps track the unloading and travel of cargoes in near real time.

The solution interprets the data from a wide range of port equipment, producing a record of time, travel distance, routes taken, and weight unloaded. The information is then automatically delivered clearly and quickly to port management, allowing them to track the progress of the ship-to-shore operations. This enables the Port of Ipswich team to make decisions based on the data they are seeing, as well as collaborating with customers more and making the best use of resources and assets.

In addition to tracking the movement of assets, the data collected from BT’s IoT solution also tracks periods of inactivity, underutilisation, and maintenance requirements. For instance, the data provides better understanding of how cranes are used to reduce costs as well as greenhouse gasses. Cranes are used more when downtime is assessed accurately, and resources can be flexibly deployed to reduce periods of inactivity. The solution also gathers insights such as how often the equipment is being used, and how much distance they have covered. This provides an accurate view of maintenance requirements for plant equipment and machinery.

Dean Terry, Managing Director, Corporate and Public Sector, BT’s Enterprise unit said: “It’s fantastic to see the early success of our partnership with ABP as we support their ambitions for the Port of Ipswich to become a leading smart port. In deploying our IoT solution, we’re able to help produce intelligent, actionable insights to support the teams on the ground to monitor equipment in real-time, and make instant, autonomous decisions to speed up the supply chain.

“This is made possible by combining our award-winning 4G EE network with our deep expertise in sensor technology, network infrastructure and supply chains.

Andrew Harston, Region Director, Wales and Short Sea Ports, Associated British Ports, said: “The trial with BT is an exciting step in the Port of Ipswich’s journey to becoming a smart port. The data generated by the Internet of Things solution gives the team in Ipswich the power to manage our resources and assets more effectively, improving our productivity and reducing our costs. Ultimately, this trial will help us to provide even better customer service.”

About BT

BT Group is the UK’s leading telecommunications and network provider and a leading provider of global communications services and solutions, serving customers in 180 countries. Its principal activities in the UK include the provision of fixed voice, mobile, broadband and TV (including Sport) and a range of products and services over converged fixed and mobile networks to consumer, business and public sector customers. For its global customers, BT provides managed services, security and network and IT infrastructure services to support their operations all over the world. BT consists of four customer-facing units: Consumer, Enterprise, Global and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Openreach, which provides access network services to over 650 communications provider customers who sell phone, broadband and Ethernet services to homes and businesses across the UK.

For the year ended 31 March 2021, BT Group’s reported revenue was £21,331m with reported profit before taxation of £1,804m.

British Telecommunications plc is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

For more information, visit www.bt.com/about