Bartels-Langness connects supply chain with idem telematics

Digital makes the difference

The North German family business Bartels-Langness is strengthening its supply chain with modern telematics, clear processes, and reliable real-time data. Since 2017, the food retailer has been relying on idem telematics and now controls large parts of its transport processes via the telematics portal cargofleet 3.

"We manage the entire transport process via cargofleet 3," says Sören Langkop, team leader for logistics processes at Bartels-Langness. Vehicle-related information such as temperature monitoring, driver communication, tachograph archiving, and route comparison are centrally collected in the portal, with the aim of maintaining an overview of the fleet and supply chain at all times.

Focus on the cold chain: wireless BLE sensors replace fault-prone cable sensors

Bartels-Langness supplies numerous customers in northern Germany with refrigerated goods every day. Around 100 of its own vehicles are available for transport – including motor vehicles, semi-trucks, trailers, and semi-trailers, many with three-chamber refrigerated bodies. An essential component of quality assurance is temperature monitoring.

After experiencing problems with wired sensors – including cable breaks due to vibrations – the company now relies on wireless BLE sensors. Together with telematics boxes, each with its own SIM card, the solution increases operational reliability and simplifies everyday handling.

Geofencing and digital proof of locations and delivery times

In order to document delivery events in a traceable manner, customer locations are stored in the system using geofencing. According to the company, this allows it to prove exactly when a market was delivered to – an advantage in the event of complaints or audits. Since 2024, the legally required tachograph archiving has also been handled entirely via telematics, including violation evaluation and reporting.

Departure control fully digitized

One example of the close cooperation between the two companies is the digitization of departure checks. Bartels-Langness and idem telematics jointly developed a function that allows drivers to perform vehicle checks on tablets using the idem app.

If any defects are found, the driver can take a photo; the information is automatically stored in the system as a PDF with a time stamp and checklist. The workshop receives the notification by email. The previous paper-based process with handwritten repair receipts and manual appointment scheduling is no longer necessary – according to Bartels-Langness, this reduces effort, queries, and misunderstandings.

Data as a lever for more efficient journeys and new sustainability use cases

Even though parts of the dispatching process are still done analogously, Bartels-Langness uses telematics data for optimization: historical data is analyzed, reports are transferred to the data warehouse, and patterns or anomalies are identified. In addition, the data opens up new perspectives for the use of electric trucks – for example, in terms of charging times, charging locations, and the question of whether the range is sufficient for the next tour.

Note: This message is based on a report by idem telematics.