KENYA – Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) has partnered with Kenya’s leading mobile network operator, Safaricom to connect and enhance its coolers with sensors which leverage on the Internet of Things (IoT).
Through a project debut #ConnectedCoolers, will see all the coolers of the beverage maker country-wide connected with the sensors, responsible for collecting and exchanging data.
This will enable the company to remotely monitor and get critical information pertaining to its product, distribution and market.
The technology will allow the company to track door openings considered a sale, monitor temperature, how many coolers have been on for the last 24 hours and to track movement of the coolers within and outside the outlet.
According to the company’s social media post on facebook the project will start with the distribution of 100 coolers to retailers in the next one month.
“We are starting with a Proof of Value with 100 coolers (provided free of charge to retailers countrywide) for the next one month, as we expand this across the country to the rest of our coolers,” the company stated.
“We are grateful for the partnership with Safaricom PLC, and we look forward to better data and more efficiency from the #ConnectedCoolers project,” they added.
Late last year, Safaricom partnered with Kenya Breweries Limited, subsidiary of the East African Breweries Limited to also connect its coolers with the sensors.
Safaricom is also planning to bring valuable solutions by leveraging on IoT to deliver smart water metering and animal tracking system.
The new Internet of Things (IoT) network will tap into the Safaricom existing 4G network.
In the first half of the financial year 2019/2020, Safaricom invested KES 17 billion (US$160m) in infrastructure by increased network rollout and acceleration of broadband and fibre deployment.
Looking ahead, Safaricom aims to be a digital partner of choice for businesses by providing solutions that improve the efficiency with which they do business, saving them money and therefore creating additional value for their end-users.
In other related news, CCBA) has donated Kshs.12.7 million (US$119, 500) to Kenya Red Cross Society to support over 22,800 households affected by recent floods in the country, reports Bizna Kenya.
The support will be used to provide relief and meet both immediate and early recovery needs in the areas most affected including Tana River, Kisumu, and Narok for the next three months.
“In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the floods have been a major setback to many households. This donation will enable the Kenya Red Cross to provide immediate humanitarian relief to restore the dignity and strengthen the safety of these communities towards longer-term recovery,” said Xavier Selga, Managing Director, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa – Kenya.
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