Safaricom and KBL partner to
connect coolers across Kenya
S
afaricom has officially announced a
partnership with Kenya Breweries
Limited (KBL) to connect and
enhance its coolers.
Jane Karuku, Managing Director, Kenya
Breweries Limited said: “Over the years,
we have been looking to bring more
efficiencies in our route-to-consumer
channels and we have found technology
to be a critical enabler. As we move
towards improving our cutting-edge
our technology in manufacturing and
logistics, we are redoubling our efforts in
our marketplace as well, to ensure that
consumers enjoy our products the way
they should.
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providing solutions that improve the
efficiency with which they do business,
saving them money and therefore
creating additional value for their
end-users.
Commenting on the launch, Rita Okuthe,
Chief Enterprise Business Officer,
Safaricom PLC, said: “We developed an IoT
solution that consists of devices installed
in the coolers that will have sensors which
will transmit various data to a platform
which generates business insights that
will assist KBL to optimise the coolers.
For instance, EABL distributors can now
tell where their assets are located, if the
assets are in use or not (on/off), whether
the assets are at the optimal temperature
and how many times the door of the
cooler is opened. Over 2,000 coolers are
already connected” Besides the connected coolers project,
EABL is already partnering Safaricom in
driving a cashless payment model among
its distributors, who now transact on
M-PESA when dealing with retailers.
This year, Safaricom aims to be a digital
partner of choice for businesses by
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 in infrastructure by increased
network rollout and acceleration of
broadband and fibre deployment. ◊
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The connected coolers are wired with
sensors which leverage on the Internet
of Things (IoT) – the inter-networking of
‘smart’ devices that collect and exchange
data. They will be provided free of charge
to retailers and outlets countrywide.
“This project will also enable us extend our
capability to track and invest in coolers
and we hope that our existing products
and innovations will reach consumers with
minimal cost, delays and wastage.”