Cold chain management is a key challenge faced by various industries. Despite regulations that aim to ensure the proper management and monitoring of temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals (such as insulin and the polio vaccine), as well as fresh produce and other foodstuffs, a lack of infrastructure for the supply and transport of these products means that they are often wasted through exposure to changes in temperature. Mismanagement of the cold chain also results in food safety issues, while the ethical considerations around temperature-sensitive drugs are enormous – the shelf-life of many medications is entirely dependent on correct temperature control. The importance of accurate cold chain management can not be understated.
Historical problems
The cold chain relies on the cooperation of various players, from the manufacturer of temperature-sensitive products to the carrier, the distributor and the retailer. Yet the individual cold chain operators have in the past functioned as islands, each only willing to take responsibility for one particular leg in the chain, which has frequently resulted in finger pointing and blame shifting when spoilage occurs.
In the current tough economic climate, the control, monitoring and analysis of temperature data is more important than ever before. Fortunately, innovations in wireless communication and web-based software as a service (SaaS) have lowered the barriers to entry for the advanced monitoring and control (M&C) of the cold chain.
New innovations
Using the far-reaching cellular networks and the Internet, it is now possible to seamlessly monitor the entire cold chain from end to end in near realtime.
With a GPRS-based remote terminal unit (RTU), Beyond Wireless, a local specialist wireless machine to machine (M2M) communication solutions provider, has created a web-based solution that is capable of monitoring temperature and other analogue and digital inputs. This RTU is installed within every climate-controlled leg of the cold chain, with sensors placed to monitor product or air temperature.
Each RTU logs and uploads the temperature data via GPRS (or any available Internet Protocol (IP)-based network including satellite and Ethernet) to a protected website. Probe-specific alarm parameters are configured on the website to raise an alarm if temperatures deviate outside of acceptable levels for a predetermined length of time. These alarms are sent via both SMS and e-mail to multiple recipients with time-based stage alarm escalation up to three levels and optional alarm acknowledgement functionality.
Shared responsibility
This not only ensures consistent management of product temperatures, but also provides a system of accountability. Furthermore, users can invite various other stakeholders to view their respective leg(s) of the cold chain. Upon accepting this invitation, reciprocal access is automatically provided to the inviting party, thereby promoting a culture of transparency and shared ownership.
Detailed cold chain management reports are accessible via the website. These provide the user, as well as invited parties, to view any breaks in the cold chain, along with when and where these occurred and how long they lasted. This data enables the root cause of temperature-control problems to be identified and corrected.
The Beyond Wireless M&C system offers a stable and secure means of remotely monitoring and controlling assets at every leg of the supply chain. Cost-effective and easy to implement and use, the system puts pervasive cellular networks, the Internet and web-based software to good use, allowing cold chain operators to reduce spoilage, improve quality and increase profitability.
Current Beyond Wireless clients making use of this temperature-monitoring system include the South African National Blood Service (SANBS), United Pharmaceutical Distributors (The Clicks Group), UTI Pharma, Woolworths, Pick ’n Pay, Dutoit Frugte, Bidvest and Famous Brands.
Other applications for the system have been found in power, water, oil and gas, medical, traffic monitoring and other diagnostic applications; by organisations like Eskom, Ethekwini Metro, WBHO and Unitrans.
For more information contact Ian Lester, Beyond Wireless, +27 (0)11 283 0000, [email protected], www.beyondwireless.co.za
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