Using telematics for production and delivery of supplies during COVID-19 in Spain

Problem

In spring 2020, a state of emergency was declared by the Spanish government. Among other measures, the issued decree made the use of face masks outdoors mandatory to slow coronavirus transmission rates that were surging at the moment. Skyrocketing demand for face masks led to a dramatic shortage in their supply. 

The pandemic sparked a new wave of solidarity in Spain, with many companies and individuals willing to assist and donate for social projects. One of such projects focused on face masks manufacturing. The project united the Asociación Alicante Solidaria volunteer organization and the amateur EVOCATI Moto Group motorcycle association. The volunteers collected requests from people and organizations that needed personal protective equipment (PPE): masks, face coverings, caps, and gowns. Also, they received donations. The motorcycle association helped to hand materials over to volunteers with sewing machines and later distribute ready-to-use items.

The associations needed to establish digital network channels that would unite everyone: those willing to make donations, volunteers who would sew face masks and coverings, and motorcyclists who would distribute them. 

Solution

Portice Iniciativas, our partner in Spain, offered its help with better process management. Thanks to the integrator, the volunteers’ activity was backed up by Wialon, the Logistics app, and WiaTag. They managed to create a fully-fledged face mask supply chain without high upfront investments into separate GPS trackers –  a smartphone was enough. The WiaTag app serves as a GPS tracker, collecting location information and sending it to Wialon, the monitoring platform.

Logistics, the Wialon-based app, allowed the associations to organize their routes. Volunteers collected fabrics for mask production from warehouses and factories and manufactured face masks. When the product was ready, motorcyclists picked it up and transferred it to a location where masks would be further distributed to associations, local organizations, nursing homes, police forces, firefighters, hospitals, and health centers. 

Planning and scheduling routes for the volunteer associations

WiaTag showed which volunteers were available and their location so that the associations could coordinate their efforts, better organize mask pick-ups and deliveries. The solution provided the contact information and the route to follow.