24 July Cold Chain Monitoring in Food Logistics July 24, 2020 By Katja Streich logistics, retail |server based|, |Bluetooth Low Energy|, |temperature| 0 A smart tracking and condition monitoring system can help efficiently manage the storage, shipment, and distribution of products that need a temperature-controlled environment. At a glance real-time visibility into locations of goods temperature monitoring using BLE sensor beacons timely alerts for guarantee of unbroken cold chain Problem Definition In order to preserve the characteristics of their products, food and beverage industries are in need of reliable ways for ensuring an unbroken cold chain system. Incomplete cooling chains caused by mechanical breakdowns, traffic delays and other factors create changing temperatures that can affect spoilage and safety of perishable foods. In addition, a lack of real-time visibility of goods locations can be a contributing factor to inefficient operational processes. Solution By implementing a tracking and condition monitoring solution, it becomes possible to maintain visibility into the location and condition of products in food logistics. The cold chain monitoring ensures stable temperatures for transport and storage of sensible goods. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons with temperature sensors enable tracking goods locations at relevant checkpoints and tracing temperature data continuously and seamlessly (at the logistics center, during shipment, and at the food retailer). Warnings can be triggered automatically when limit values are exceeded. Technical Implementation A BLE beacon with an integrated temperature sensor is attached to each goods package. Important areas at the logistics center and the food retailer (e.g. loading zones, sales areas) are equipped with one (or a few) infsoft Locator Nodes. The Locator Nodes detect incoming signals of the beacons and transmit the data to the infsoft LocAware platform®. Here, all data is processed and can be viewed and managed via web-based tools. The beacons provide internal memory for up to 200 entries. This enables storing the temperature data during shipment in the refrigerated truck. The stored history records can be read out automatically via the Locator Node upon arrival. Live tracking (presence detection, idle times, temperature curve) takes place in all areas covered by a Locator Node. If real-time tracking during shipment is desired as well, trucks can be equipped with an infsoft Locator Node with GPS module. Triggers for temperature or idle time violation alerts are defined using threshold values and initiate a notification chain. Use Case PDF for Download Get the white paper for free Great introduction to the topic of indoor positioning Download Related Articles Temperature Monitoring of Food in a Warehouse The use of Indoor Tracking enables the temperature, pressure, humidity and shelf life of foodstuffs to be monitored more closely during storage. Read More Monitoring of Environmental Conditions in Pharmaceutical Storage A real-time tracking and condition monitoring system makes it easy to maintain appropriate temperature conditions when storing pharmaceutical products. Read More Load Carrier Tracking in Logistics This use case by infsoft describes how load carrier tracking can contribute to increased efficiency of logistics chains. Read More Condition Monitoring in Archive Rooms This use case by infsoft describes how a condition monitoring system ensures the long-term preservation of sensitive documents in archive rooms. Read More Condition Monitoring with Information Display for Optimal Wine Maturation A condition monitoring system ensures the optimal environmental conditions for successful wine maturation and storage. E-Ink displays provide modern information for local staff. Read More Condition Monitoring During Cheese Ripening A condition monitoring system ensures optimal environmental conditions for cheese ripening. Read More Comments are closed.