Schmitz Cargobull TrailerConnect® – The digital platform for data integration, live tracking & semi-trailer services

• Smart Service package – Real-time monitoring of trailer and cooling unit status with TrailerConnect® FleetWatch
• Interior monitoring – Added security and transparency at the touch of a button
• TrailerConnect® Data Management Center – Transparency across the supply chain with full data control
• TrailerConnect® TourTrack – The professional way to monitor and manage your routes

May 2025 – Digitalisation is not only making the transport sector more efficient, but more flexible and customer-focused, too. Vast amounts of data and information about the vehicle and its cargo are continuously recorded by the standard TrailerConnect® telematics system, enabling data to be processed effectively for easy analysis and control. Thanks to the standard integration of the TrailerConnect® telematics system, the connected semi-trailer is transformed into an IoT device and a fundamental aspect of transparency in the supply chain.

The TrailerConnect® portal functions as the central data platform, consolidating and displaying all relevant telematics data – regardless of the telematics hardware used. This includes data about the vehicles’ location, temperature, tyre pressure, EBS information and door status. This data is sent to the TrailerConnect® portal and apps like the beUptoDate app for dispatchers and the beSmart app for drivers. It is used to monitor the condition of the freight and semi-trailer, optimise routes and schedules and improve the efficiency of logistics.

With TrailerConnect® FleetTrack, the user receives in-depth information about their fleet and individual semi-trailers in real time, including the location and availability, for instance. Equally, they can use the portal to view individual reports, as well as a history of all incidents, locations and temperature data. For example, information about the semi-trailer’s door and coupling status can be accessed at any time.

TrailerConnect® FleetWatch and Smart Service package – Real-time monitoring of semi-trailer and cooling unit status

Logistics experts in the field of temperature-controlled transport will find the real-time status monitoring function for the S.CU cooling unit and potential downtime forecasts particularly beneficial. Schmitz Cargobull has been working on proactive monitoring of its S.CU cooling units for several years in a bid to detect problems and abnormalities at an early stage and quickly rectify them before the cargo or cooling chain is compromised. This proactive monitoring has now been expanded to the semi-trailer and, in addition to fault analysis, also offers users the chance to monitor the semi-trailer status in real time. Thanks to 24/7 monitoring, customers are informed at an early stage and receive warnings and recommended actions in the event of faults.

The customer receives all information in the TrailerConnect® portal via the TrailerConnect® FleetWatch fleet monitoring dashboard, where they are also able to find their nearest service partner directly. With the proactive monitoring function in the TrailerConnect® FleetWatch dashboard, S.CU cooling units and semi-trailers are monitored in real time. Fault analyses are generated automatically along with recommendations for solving the issue. This allows customers to respond early during their day-to-day transport operations and deal with problems quickly. TrailerConnect® FleetWatch’s comprehensive maintenance calendar for all semi-trailer components facilitates forward-looking planning and higher uptimes during routine transport operations.

Interior monitoring – Added security and efficiency at the touch of a button

The interior monitoring function for the S.KO COOL box body semi-trailer offers a number of advantages when it comes to boosting efficiency and improving seamless transparency during transport jobs. By simply pressing a button in the TrailerConnect® portal, dispatchers can take a photo of the trailer’s interior as clear photographic evidence that includes a date, time and location stamp. As a result, they can perform careful checks to make sure the right freight has been loaded and secured correctly and check whether the partition wall is down or the air duct is clear. Even when the trailer is uncoupled, i.e. when it is parked without the tractor unit, it is possible to take a photo of the interior. To do this, the refrigerated box body is "woken up" via the TrailerConnect® portal. The interior lighting switches on and a photo can be taken. This ensures the necessary transparency of the load at all times.

 This innovative solution ensures maximum transparency, efficient utilisation of the load space and reliable load securing. On the whole, this helps to increase the economic efficiency of the transport process and prevent damage to freight caused by a lack of air circulation, for example. What is more, transparency regarding the situation in the load compartment does not disappear when the semi-trailer is uncoupled, which provides additional safety and security.

Thanks to the foamed-in camera in the trailer roof, which does not impede on the loading volume or clearance, users can benefit from seamless monitoring. The camera meets automotive industry standards and is also suitable for temperature-controlled transport thanks to its heated camera lens. This advanced technology ensures that the quality and safety of transported freight are guaranteed at all times, for both mono-temperature and multi-temperature transport. Because the technology is seamlessly integrated into the TrailerConnect® portal, photos are available on demand through the cameras in the bulkhead and on the rear panel.

TrailerConnect® Data Management Center (DMC)

When it comes to transparency and connectivity, Schmitz Cargobull supports freight forwarders in their daily transport operations with its TrailerConnect® Data Management Center (DMC). Using this solution, freight forwarders can provide their contractors and customers with order-relevant data selectively and securely. To enable the real-time data to be used even more efficiently, Schmitz Cargobull relies on strategic partnerships with more than 40 established providers, such as Trimble, Krone, idem, RIO, ZF Transics, and CO3. With the DMC’s import function, customers are able to display their entire fleet – regardless of the individual manufacturers – on the TrailerConnect® platform.

The benefits of the TrailerConnect® DMC for freight forwarders are clear: It is ready to be used with connected systems without any additional IT work. The entire fleet’s real-time data is monitored and managed from a central location. Outgoing interfaces with common real-time visibility platforms and telematics system can be used immediately. Users manage the data release process themselves, actively decide which data should be selectively shared and therefore retain data sovereignty. This means full protection for the user’s business and logistics network.

Sensitive business data regarding the haulier’s own network and the sub-contractors involved is protected. All semi-trailer and transport data is protected in accordance with GDPR and can be accessed from one place for the entire fleet. Together with TrailerConnect® TourTrack, the user is able to access all information in real-time, keep a close eye on routes and respond quickly to changes in the workflow. Interactive temperature management and other functions are available on a tour- and order-basis (FTL/LTL).

TrailerConnect® TourTrack

TrailerConnect® TourTrack comes into play once all data along the supply chain is connected. With the TrailerConnect® TourTrack service, freight forwarders can keep an eye on their journeys and transport orders and monitor and manage their business with just a few clicks. Routes can be imported from transport management systems (TMS) into the TrailerConnect® portal quickly and easily or created manually so that they can then be managed in real time. Vehicle information can be shared via a link (track & trace) or an interface to a third-party system. Only the selected data (from a particular tour or order (LTL) is shared with other platforms, e.g. the shipper’s real-time visibility platform (RTVP).

As a result, transport firms can retain full control over their data, while still offering the end customer the required level of transparency for the flow of goods. Logistics companies and shippers can easily receive information that is relevant to them from across the supply chain, such as location- and temperature-related data and expected arrival times (ETA). Unplanned deviations become immediately visible, delays can be analysed and key temperature data can be automatically sent to the recipient.