This document provides a comprehensive overview of Trace IQ™, Ecotact's real-time shipment monitoring solution for temperature, humidity, and location tracking. It has been prepared to support prospective and existing clients in understanding the device's functionality, applications, and the services that accompany it.
Trace IQ™ is Ecotact's real-time monitoring device that tracks the location, temperature, and humidity of a shipment from origin to destination. It provides complete visibility into how cargo is handled throughout its journey, ensuring the condition of the product is known at every stage, not merely its location.
Trace IQ™ is designed for exporters, importers, roasters, and logistics partners operating across agricultural and food supply chains, including green coffee, cocoa, nuts, produce, and other temperature-sensitive commodities.
Trace IQ™ supports a wide range of applications, including:
Yes. Trace IQ™ is well suited to this stage of the supply chain and can be placed inside a container or truck for the duration of the journey. It monitors humidity and temperature as indicators of moisture and storage conditions, tracks approximate location throughout transit, and its light sensor can help flag unexpected access to the cargo, supporting checks against pilferage or tampering.
Trace IQ™ provides:
An account can be created directly on www.ecotact.online using an email address and password. Once registered, the user gains immediate access to shipment data through the dashboard.
There is no dedicated mobile application. Trace IQ™ updates are delivered through the web-based cloud platform at www.ecotact.online, which can be accessed from any browser on a mobile phone or computer, allowing shipment status to be checked at any time.
No separate SIM or mobile plan is required. Each Trace IQ™ device comes with its own built-in SIM, already active for the shipment tracking period, and connectivity is included as part of the device cost. There is no additional plan for the client to arrange or pay for separately.
The following section provides step-by-step guidance for day-to-day operation of the device.
Operating Trace IQ™ involves a few simple steps:
Press and hold the button for approximately three seconds. The green OK light will remain lit continuously for five seconds, confirming that the device has powered on and begun transmitting data.
No. Once activated, the device cannot be switched off, deactivated, or restarted. It will continue operating until its battery life is exhausted or the shipment's tracking period concludes. For this reason, it is recommended that the device be activated only when monitoring is ready to begin for a specific shipment.
Trace IQ™ operates on a built-in battery that is not designed to be recharged. For shipment tracking, this battery powers the device for its complete working life in a single continuous cycle, of up to ninety days.
For warehouse monitoring, customised solutions are available upon request to support longer-duration deployments. Please contact the Ecotact team to discuss requirements for your facility.
Once active, the green OK light flashes every ten seconds. A short press of the button at any time will also trigger a single green flash, confirming normal operation.
A flashing red light indicates that a recorded temperature or humidity reading has exceeded the configured safe range. A short press of the button will confirm this with a single red flash.
For container shipments, the device should be placed inside a poly mailer and secured near the container door, at a height of approximately six feet or slightly above. This positioning is important, as a shipping container can obstruct signal transmission; signal can typically pass only through the rubber gaskets surrounding the doors, so placing the device near the door, at this height, improves transmission reliability.
For individual pallet covers, which is a distinct scenario from a full container shipment, the device should be placed inside the pallet cover itself, close to the loaded commodity, so that it accurately reflects the conditions of that specific pallet.
Yes, Trace IQ™ is well suited to both small and large warehouse environments. As coverage depends on factors such as warehouse size, airflow, and product placement, it is recommended to first map temperature variation across the warehouse using low-cost sensors over a period of approximately one week, and then position Trace IQ™ devices at the critical points identified. The Ecotact team is available to guide this process.
Trace IQ™ devices are single-use for shipment tracking, with the SIM deactivated once the shipment's tracking period concludes, typically around three months. Extended battery life, rechargeable configurations, and longer SIM activation periods are available as customised solutions; please contact the Ecotact team to discuss these options for warehouse or other longer-duration applications.
The following section addresses common questions that arise during an active shipment.
Once activated, a device cannot be turned off or reset, and is not suitable for reuse on another shipment. Should this occur, please contact the Ecotact team, who will assist with a replacement.
The device continues to record data locally even if it temporarily loses signal, for example while passing through an area with limited network coverage. Once connectivity is restored, the device transmits all readings collected in the interim, ensuring no data is lost, although there may be a delay before the information appears on the dashboard.
During sea transit, there may be extended periods with no cellular network available, such as while the vessel is at open sea. The device continues to record temperature, humidity, and light data locally throughout this period, and transmits the complete set of readings once the shipment comes back within network range, typically on approaching port. No data is lost during the gap, though it will not appear on the dashboard until connectivity resumes.
A gap in updates does not necessarily indicate that the device has failed; it typically means the signal is not reaching the network at that time. Common causes include the shipping container obstructing transmission, as signal can only pass through the door gaskets, or the shipment passing through an area with limited network coverage. Data collected during this period is not lost, as the device continues logging locally and transmits all information once connectivity is restored. If updates remain absent for an extended period, please contact the Ecotact support team, who will assist in verifying the device's status.
The following section provides technical detail for teams requiring an in-depth understanding of the device.
Yes, Trace IQ™ is an IoT (Internet of Things) device. It uses 4G/2G cellular connectivity to transmit temperature, humidity, and light data at set intervals to a cloud-based dashboard, and LBS (cell-tower-based) technology for location tracking.
Yes. Trace IQ™ includes a built-in light sensor that detects changes between bright and dark conditions, such as when a container door is opened, helping to flag any unexpected access to the shipment during transit.
Trace IQ™ measures temperatures from –20°C to +60°C, accurate to within ±0.3°C, and humidity levels of up to 90% RH (non-condensing), accurate to within ±3% RH.
The temperature and humidity sensor is manufactured by a leading global sensor manufacturer and is factory-calibrated prior to shipment.
Trace IQ™ provides location data through LBS (cell-tower-based) positioning rather than GPS. While GPS typically offers accuracy within a few metres, LBS-based tracking is approximate, ranging from tens to several hundred metres, with greater precision generally achieved in dense urban areas. A GPS-enabled configuration would require a different device build, resulting in higher power consumption and a shorter operating life.
The device is designed to operate for approximately three months from the point of activation, covering the typical duration of an international shipment.
Location coordinates may be temporarily unavailable when a TraceIQ device is outside cellular network coverage, as the device is unable to transmit its position during this time. Environmental monitoring, however, remains fully active with respect to temperature, humidity and light exposure continue to be recorded without interruption. Upon reconnection to the network, all accumulated environmental data is automatically synchronized to the platform. Location tracking resumes from the point of reconnection; please note that positional data cannot be retroactively recovered for periods when the device was offline.
Transmission: 4G / 2G · Uploading interval: every 30 minutes · Memory: up to 20,000 readings · Battery: built-in 3.7V / 3000mAh lithium · Working time: up to 90 days · Dimensions: 90mm × 64mm × 27mm.
Yes. Every Trace IQ™ device is assigned a unique identification number, enabling precise tracking and identification throughout its operational lifecycle.
Trace IQ™ connects to available local cellular networks as a shipment moves between regions, allowing it to continue transmitting data across international borders.
Ecotact is committed to ensuring Trace IQ™ meets relevant international compliance standards for electronic devices used in cross-border trade.
The following section addresses how shipment data is captured, owned, and protected.
Automated reports summarise the complete journey of a shipment, including temperature and humidity trends over time, any alarm events, and location history, in a format that can be shared directly with buyers, partners, or auditors.
The data is secure and private, and belongs entirely to the client. Reports can be exported from the dashboard at any time, for internal records or for sharing with partners and auditors.
Shipment data is stored securely on Ecotact's cloud platform, protected through encrypted data transmission and controlled access, ensuring it remains safe and protected at all times.
Shipment data is used solely to support monitoring and reporting for the relevant shipment. Ecotact does not use client data for independent analysis, nor does it share this data with third parties without explicit consent.
Yes. Settings such as transmission intervals, alarm thresholds, and multi-use configurations can be customized to suit specific shipment or facility requirements. The Ecotact team is available to discuss individual requirements.
Documentation to support customs clearance is currently in progress and will be shared with clients once finalised.
Yes. Ecotact holds the intellectual property rights for the Trace IQ™ device.
Ecotact stands behind the quality of every Trace IQ™ device supplied to clients.
Should a device be lost or damaged during a shipment, please contact the Ecotact team, who will guide the client through the appropriate next steps.
For any questions regarding how Trace IQ™ works, whether during evaluation, setup, or while monitoring an active shipment, the Ecotact support team can be contacted directly using the details below.
The Ecotact team is available to assist with device setup, explain how the device functions, troubleshoot issues, or discuss a custom configuration for a shipment or warehouse.
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