Abstract: A system for managing lifecycles of pallets remotely located from one or more servers has at least a first database defining information for managing the lifecycles of the plurality of pallets. Each of the plurality of pallets has a pallet monitoring device physically coupled thereto. The system includes one or more pallet management components communicatively coupled to, and remotely located from, the one or more servers, and each pallet management component manages, at least in part, a lifecycle of one or more of the plurality of pallets based at least in part on the information defined in the first database. At least one of the one or more pallet management components may be included in a pallet monitoring device physically coupled to the one or more pallets, and the pallet monitoring device may be in direct communication with at least one of the one or more servers.

Abstract: A device for monitoring and managing a pallet includes one or more sensors for determining properties associated with a pallet, which may include a weight of a load of a pallet, and the presence, number and/or location of one or more load items on a pallet. The device may be physically coupled to a pallet, and may include a processing unit coupled to the one or more sensors, the processing unit having one or more interfaces to communicate with the one or more sensors, and one or more interfaces to communicate with one or more networks. The device may include one or more hydraulic mats including one or more pressure sensors, and RFID (UHF) and/or optical code readers for detecting and/or identifying load items. The device may include RFID (NFC) readers for exchange of payment and access information. The device also may include multiple layers, each of which may include one or more cavities for accommodating components of the device.