Jul 31, 2002July 31, 2002 -- Savi Technology continues to move aggressively to seize the market for supply chain tracking and security products. This week, the Sunnyvale, Calif., company, unveiled an alliance with Greybox Logistics Services, a subsidiary of Transamerica Leasing, one of the world's largest providers of intermodal cargo containers.
Greybox, based in Purchase, N.Y., is a consulting and services company. Initially, it will offer new and existing customers access to Savi's products, including Savi's EchoPoint electronic seals and sensors, SmartChain asset tracking software, and Transportation Security System. Through the deal, Gregybox can provide value-added services, while Savi gets access to a large and potentially lucrative market.
As the companies work together and gain knowledge about the market, the relationship may lead to joint products and services, according to Lance Trebesch, Savi's vice president of security and productivity.
"Greybox has knowledge of how containers are engineered and how they might be engineered to be smart and secure in the future," says Trebesch. "That's where we see working together on joint services. In the longer term, we might work together to create smart and secure containers."
The two companies will focus initially on Australia and New Zealand. Trebesch said the main reason for starting Down Under was because there was good traction in the market for RFID tracking technology. "We decided to focus on one geography, develop the market and then build out from there," says Trebesch. "The aim is to develop this globally."
Since Sept. 11, there has been a surge of interest in securing cargo containers. Savi is participating in a number of U.S. projects and recently announced that it is participating in a major new initiative to create a global RFID infrastructure at major seaports to help ensure the security of cargo containers coming into U.S. ports.
The project, called "Smart and Secure Tradelanes," initially involves the world's three largest port operators -- Hutchison-Whampoa Ltd., PSA Corporation Ltd., and P&O Ports, which together operate 70 percent of the world's ports. The goal is to extend the real-time tracking and security network to major U.S. and non-U.S. ports.
But as Savi capitalizes on market demand for security products, it also sees an opportunity for its supply chain tracking systems.
"[Security issues] are going change dramatically how we do trade over the long term," says Trebesch. "But our contention is that once you are tracking goods for security, it gives you tremendous efficiency benefits that have nothing to do with security. When you know where things are, you can better utilize your assets."
