ZF’s Ultimate Guide to Cargo Security

As a fleet manager, you know how devastating cargo theft can be. It takes on several forms, from slash and grab jobs to theft from the trailer. It can damage your profits, your reputation and potentially expose you to legal risks. Data from the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) pointing out that ensuring cargo security and preventing theft is of utmost importance for fleets all over the world. That is where ZF’s cargo security solution comes into play. It combines an electronic locking system including an innovative sensor with telematics to provide you with optimized protection for your cargo.

Customize your security levels

Electronic locking system: OptiLock

This system is designed specifically for container and trailer doors. OptiLock provides more than just a method of securing a door, it also provides a record of guardianship, for example by preventing temperature changes due to unauthorized opening of refrigerated trucks.
In the modern world, OptiLock presents a level of peace of mind that a padlock cannot offer. It is easy to lock and unlock by PIN code on keypad or wireless via telematics.

ZF enriches OptiLock with a new sensor developed in-house according to automotive standards and with improved reliability. With ZF’s Light and Motion Sensor (LMS), we offer a simple solution which can be retrofitted in any box trailer. The sensor detects any motion or light changes. OptiLock electronic locking system sends an alarm via telematics to the fleet. As the sensor covers the whole trailer surface, intruders cannot enter without being noticed. As a result, the fleet gains time to react, e.g., notify the police.

Thanks to this sensor, you can even prevent the transport of unregistered goods. This is especially important for businesses dealing with sensitive or high-value cargo, where tracking and tracing are critical for compliance. The sensor can also reduce the risk of drivers being wrongly accused of fraud or theft. By providing real-time information on the break-in state of the equipped trailer, the sensor can help exonerate drivers of any misconduct and prevent expensive legal disputes.

Trailer telematics: SCALAR EVO Guard

SCALAR EVO Guard sets the standard in trailer telematics hardware. It is a solution fit for all your trailer needs including temperature control and cargo safety driving a low total cost of ownership. And being integrated with ZF’s powerful back-office platform, it combines and helps to intelligently visualize exhaustive truck, driver, and trailer information all in one place.

Moreover, the dispatcher can remotely manage the trailer door lock system via the telematics unit, and he can even “secure” the locking system to exclude anyone (including the driver) from opening the trailer doors. Alarms can be forwarded to the alarm monitoring center if this service is available for the fleet. Besides door status data, SCALAR EVO Guard also features track & trace, EBS (Electronic Braking Systems) data, remote reefer management, connection to data logger and tire-pressure monitoring systems optimizing your overall trailer utilization and efficiency.

Trust satisfied customers

One of our long-term customers of OptiLock electronic locking system is LOG-IN CZ, a transport company of high value theft target goods with special security lorries on TAPA TSR1 standard in the Czech Republic. Patrick Freitag, Head of Sales & Security in LOG-IN CZ decided to additionally equip part of his fleet with our new Light and Motion Sensor.

“With ZF’s OptiLock electronic locking system, which is already a great tool for cargo protection, we managed to meet TAPA requirements and could already reduce cargo theft. By adding the sensor, we gained more holistic protection for our trailers and some peace of mind. We plan to equip more trailers with ZF’s cost-effective comprehensive cargo protection solution. When you combine OptiLock with a good security setup, clear security processes and good partners including a fast intervention by Law Enforcement Agency (LEA), a potential attack cannot always be fully avoided but mainly gets unsuccessful for thieves by reducing the time until police arrival.”

Whether you have a small or large business, ZF’s cargo protection solution is the ideal choice for fleets who want to keep their cargo safe and secure. Contact us to find out how ZF OptiLock can help you to protect your assets.