Sojitz Corporation (“Sojitz”) has entered a joint venture along with i-Cynap Co., Ltd. (“i-Cynap”) and Kyocera Communication Systems Co., Ltd. (“KCCS”) to provide IoT logistic services using the IoT network “Sigfox*²,” a type of new wireless telecommunication known as low power wide area (“LPWA*¹”) technology.

The Sigfox network is a form of global communication characterized by its low cost, low-energy consumption, and long-distance transmission capacity. First implemented in France in 2009, the Sigfox network is currently used in 32 countries with plans for expansion to 60 countries by 2018. Europe is a leader in the establishment of Sigfox network-based IoT solutions, where application is widespread in industries such as logistics, social infrastructure, healthcare, monitoring systems, crime/disaster prevention, and farming. IoT market is expected to grow in Japan as well, with diverse application across industries.

In addition to building and operating secure, efficient, and environmentally-friendly logistics services, the logistics industry has been tasked in recent years with further development of global supply chain management and seamless, information sharing in real time.

In order to meet these new expectations in the logistics industry and further raise productivity, Sojitz, i-Cynap, and KCCS will develop and offer Sigfox-related sensor devices and application services.

■Each Company’s Role
Sojitz　　　　　　　　：Provide logistics IoT services utilizing Sigfox
i-Cynap　　　　　　　：Develop Sigfox compatible sensor devices
KCCS　　　　　　 　　：Establish a Sigfox wireless base station and provide network services

【Diagram of Services】

■Overview of Services
(1) Features
In the past, communication fees, power supplies, and communication bases (areas) restricted logistics services. However, there is a new focus on developing and providing logistics services that allow data collection and analysis on the location and operational status of logistics assets to be shared between business partners as well as information sharing between shippers and drivers regarding a cargo’s shipping and loading information. We aim to offer a low-cost service that includes everything from the cost of sensor devices (equipped with batteries that last for several years), Sigfox communication fees, to cloud service fees. Efficiency is thus improved across the entire supply chain, pickup and delivery processes are made more efficient, and there are fewer irregularities or fluctuations in load capacity, which contributes to overall improvement in logistics productivity.

(2) Devices under development
・GPS tracker (tracks location and identifies operational status)
・GPS tracker + temperature sensor
・Sigfox base station positioning tracker
・Button devices etc.

(3) Target use
Containers (specialized containers, reefer containers, ISO tanks); trailing trucks (trailer chassis, wing chassis); logistics equipment (reusable shipping cartons, palettes); and relevant sharing service users (shippers, drivers)

(4) Schedule
In FY2017, we will demonstrate proof-of-concept for interested logistics companies as well as improve and inspect (determine specifications) the service. Our goal is the implement the service within FY2018.

■Plans to Participate in IoT Fair
Sojitz and KCCS will showcase Japan’s first Sigfox GPS device at the “Logistics Solution Fair 2017” to be held from Tuesday, August 29^th through Wednesday, August 30^th at Tokyo Big Sight.

（*1）
Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) is an energy-saving, long-distance (kilometer-based), wireless telecommunication wide area network technology. LPWA enables low battery use while transmitting radio waves to the communication base station that collects the data. LPWA technologies are receiving a great deal of attention for its application geared towards IoT (Internet of Things.) By July 31^st, 2017, there were several frequencies in use across the world that could be transmitted without licenses such as IEEE802.11ah(Wi-Fi HaLow), LoRa, Wi-SUN, and Sigfox.

（*2）
Sigfox is a type of network for IoT use developed by the French company, Sigfox. In Japan, KCSS will be the domestic service provider. Sigfox is currently used in 32 countries—primarily in Europe—and the company aims to expand its services to 60 countries by 2018.

（Reference）

Sojitz Corporation— Company Overview

Head Office	1-1,Uchisaiwaicho 2-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8691, Japan
Representative Director	President & CEO Masayoshi Fujimoto
Main Business	General trading company
Established	April 2003
Website	https://www.sojitz.com

i-Cynap,Co. Ltd. — Company Overview

Location	4-28, Mita International Building 206, Mita 1-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Representative Director	Kiyoshi Eto
Main Business	Development of embedded systems, devices, applications, and hardware design
Established	2001
Website	http://www.ai-cynap.com/en/

KCCS — Company Overview

Location	6 Takeda Tobadono-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 612-8501 Japan
Representative Director	Yoshihito Kurose
Main Business	ICT, communications engineering, environmental energy engineering, management consulting
Established	1995
Website	http://www.kccs.co.jp/english/index.html