Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) has launched a smart label that transforms any package into an IoT device.

Thin and only slightly larger than a credit card, the smart label was jointly developed by G+D with its hardware partner, Sensos (sensos.io), to enable cost-effective, accurate location tracking for a range of applications. These include parcel delivery and shipping, fleet management, and monitoring the movement of luxury goods.

G+D provides an all-in-one offering that includes hardware, an iSIM, IoT connectivity, and an IoT platform that manages the connection and firmware updates. This makes it easier to use and simple to deploy.

The smart label uses smart motion sensors that detect movement and acceleration, underpinned by GPS accuracy that has been tested to ensure sub-10m precision in ideal conditions. Coupled with customisable reporting frequencies and agile cloud-based configurations, it can adapt to specific business needs and help users manage, monitor and ensure the integrity of their assets at every stage of their journey, whether stationary or on the move.

Additional features include an open-close sensor for tamper protection and automated proof of delivery, and a temperature monitor to ensure the integrity of perishable goods, enhancing security and accountability. The label is easy to use, since activation is triggered when it is peeled and applied to an item. It is also reusable and certified for air travel.

“G+D has been dedicated to designing robust innovations for the transport and logistics market, and is the market leader of solar-powered trackers with over 180,000 connected devices in the field,” said Sharath Muddaiah, head of portfolio strategy at G+D. “Following the launch of our award-winning first-generation smart label in 2023, we have been working on the development of an even more compact and highly accurate solution. The G+D smart label provides dedicated service support and warranty from one source.”

Use cases range from simple parcel and shipment tracking, to shipping and tracking high-value assets. For example, one early user – Track & Pay (www.tnp.ai) – has used the labels to help deliver on its mission of improving visibility into the status of shipments and payments. In building an IoT-powered B2B payment offering that integrates shipment tracking with payment processing, Track & Pay has been able to leverage the smart label technology to trigger a payment automatically on a shipment’s arrival, ensuring seamless and timely transactions.

“We believe in Track & Pay’s ability to revolutionise the global finance supply chain, offering a much more secure and fraud-proof solution than the common letter of credit,” said Joerg Hoerster, CEO of Track & Pay. “The smart label’s slick size and active tracking capacity makes it a competitive tracking option, which is why we chose to offer it to our Track & Pay clients.”

The smart label (www.gi-de.com/en/digital-security/connectivity-iot/transport-logistics/end-to-end-tracking/smart-label) is available to purchase directly from G+D and from G+D’s IoT shop for German and US customers.

Munich-based G+D (www.gi-de.com) was founded in 1852 and has a workforce of more than 14,000 employees. In the fiscal year 2023, the company generated a turnover of €3bn. It is represented by 123 subsidiaries and joint ventures in 40 countries.