Page 80 - FDI Alliance International Magazine. Spring 2021 Digital Interactive Issue

SUPPLY CHAIN OPTIMIZATION TESTED IN

PUERTO RICO

With the ability to track cargo by the second the U.S.A.” designation capabilities, and the same Each of the labs share real-time data and have an
throughout its entire journey, the 5G-IoT era custom and border processes as any other U.S. city. area of specialty from maritime to cybersecurity
will usher in supply chain visibility challenges to agriculture. Puerto Rico’s specialties are life
resulting from having to process too much data It also has a unique transshipment waiver from sciences, manufacturing, and logistics, and the
rather than not enough. Puerto Rico is creating the U.S. Department of Transportation that allows lab will accelerate learning, prototyping, and
a network for companies to test 5G technology, passenger and cargo transfer operations, which commercialization of new technologies.
artificial intelligence, and automation. It will allow will help companies cut costs, reduce shipping
businesses on the island to harness unprecedented times, and ensure quality handling of any product. The Puerto Rico 5G lab will provide a secure
data transfer speeds to optimize operations from network by leveraging technology offered by
a strategic logistics hub between Europe and But with 5G pushing logistics to the cusp of a XQ Message, a Silicon Valley-based cyber and
North America. revolutionary new era, what many supply chain communications security platform. The company
professionals are most excited about is the Puerto provides network security through quantum-safe
For logistics companies, there’s only one way to Rico 5G Zone. This public-private partnership brings based edge encryption to secure communication
think about Puerto Rico: a 35-mile by 100-mile test together industry, academia, and government to and data in all network environments.
bed for 5G and Internet of Things (IoT) technology provide a testing ecosystem for companies to
integration. invest big in 5G products and services in a safe, Puerto Rico’s role in this consortium has also been
secure environment. strengthened by recent investments in IoT network
The island is home to three international airports, has integration. In November, Everynet BV announced
the highest volume port system in the Caribbean, The Puerto Rico 5G Zone is part of a nationwide work to implement a new data network across
and sits at the epicenter of transatlantic routes consortium of 5G Centers of Excellence that also the island. By offering secure network services,
located between the Americas, Europe, and the includes labs in Indiana and Washington state, companies can analyze data and improve their
Middle East. As a U.S. territory, it benefits from and such institutes of higher learning as Texas manufacturing facilities and operations and achieve
having intellectual property protections, “Made in A&M University and the University of Hawaii. improved supply chain visibility and logistics tracking

80. FDI ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL