Blog Post

The Role Of Digitalisation In Cold Storage Monitoring For Perishable Goods

Adapt Ideations • Jan 13, 2023

Digitalisation Within Cold Chain Management For Perishable Goods:

When it comes to the term ‘cold chain’, the first thing that generally comes to mind is supporting temperature-sensitive goods in transit. However, a major component of the cold chain that is often overlooked is the time between movement of shipments, when those temperature-sensitive products must be kept in cold storage facilities.

For example, when vaccines are being transported between manufacturing locations, distribution sites, and finally reaching their final destination at healthcare facilities, there is always a warehouse or storage depot involved that is used to stock these perishable goods between the arrival and departure of shipments. This window of time can be extremely critical, as such temperature-sensitive products must be closely monitored in order to ensure that they remain viable and quality is not impacted throughout their transportation journey.

Digitalisation is a practice that refers to the incorporation of a technological supplement within a company in order to change and improve business processes, eventually leading to new business models being formed. In association with cold chain management, the implementation of digitalisation can be seen primarily through the use of asset tracking and monitoring solutions. By utilising a cold storage monitoring solution, the cold chain management processes of a company can easily be enhanced allowing for automated temperature monitoring and instant alerts when violations occur.

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How Can Perishable Goods In Cold Storage Facilities Benefit From Digitalisation?

There are various ways which the digitalisation of cold storage monitoring through data loggers can benefit a company. One primary example is through the regulatory process known as warehouse temperature mapping. This can be defined as the practice of monitoring the status of cold storage facilities in order to maintain a constant thermal environment throughout the warehouse by collecting data using a temperature monitoring device. The critical process of warehouse temperature mapping must be implemented strictly and periodically in order to properly adhere to regulations surrounding the storage of perishable goods. This practice also has a significant positive impact on the goods stored, especially if they can easily become spoiled or quality can be impacted.

Products kept in cold storage facilities generally fall within certain market sectors, including perishable food products such as produce, meat & fish, as well as temperature-sensitive biopharmaceuticals and other cold chain logistics related supplies. Such goods must be stored at a certain temperature and in very specific environmental conditions in order to avoid spoilage and wastage therefore resulting in unnecessary financial expenditure.

In order to undergo the warehouse temperature mapping process, data loggers are strategically placed around a cold storage facility equidistantly and are simultaneously activated. The data is then collected and returned to the user, usually downloadable or even electronically transmitted to an online portal. It is then analysed, and weaknesses are identified throughout the warehouse. Any stored goods will then either be moved to a more climate-controlled location in the warehouse, or those thermal ‘hot-spots’ will be regulated and closely monitored.

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How Does Adapt Ideations’ Solutions Assist With Digitalisation Of Cold Chain Management?

The digitalisation of a company’s cold storage monitoring practices always brings about a significant change to its entire cold chain infrastructure. In order to easily avoid loss of visibility of the stationary shipments, implementing a form of monitoring that has the ability to collect data in near real-time and provide insights on the status of cold storage facilities is necessary. Adapt Ideations offers a wide range of innovative track and trace solutions.

The most fitting data logging device for monitoring conditions of cold storage facilities is the PIXEL Suite Of Devices. PIXEL W100 has the ability to collect temperature and humidity data and return this vital information directly to a user-friendly online portal in near-real time. An extension of the solution PIXEL W300 has the ability to monitor ultra-negative temperatures as low as -100 degrees Celsius. Both of these innovative and sustainable solutions can help transform the overall digitalisation of cold storage monitoring for perishable goods.

Enquire to find out more about our innovative solutions and how they can be utilised at enquiries@adaptideations.com

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