Moving It Cool: 4 Ways Temperature Monitoring Systems Can Solve Logistics Problems
Logistics companies dealing with temperature-sensitive products face countless risks that go beyond damaged goods, lost profits, and compliance issues. Here’s how implementing the correct temperature monitoring systems can alleviate these problems.
Key Takeaways:
- Monitoring temperature-sensitive items during transport is critical to ensuring safety and quality
- Specific temperature monitoring systems can address common logistics problems like compliance complications, damaged products, and lack of visibility
- Some of the temperature monitoring solutions applicable here include data loggers, sensors, and alert notifications
Around 14% of the world’s food is wasted during handling, distribution, and storage. Additionally, 20% of temperature-sensitive goods are damaged during transit, with most of these issues arising from temperature irregularities.
This is a clear indicator that temperature control is a crucial factor in logistics, an issue that, if not addressed, could lead to monumental losses.
So, how can the stakeholders in the cold chain sector solve these problems? So far, the only viable solution is to develop an efficient and effective temperature monitoring protocol.
Businesses can effectively overcome these supply chain disruptions using temperature monitoring systems with sensors, data logging, and alert notification capabilities.
But first, let’s talk a little about what temperature monitoring systems are and what they do.
What are temperature monitoring systems?
Temperature monitoring systems are devices that measure, track, and regulate temperatures within a closed environment. These systems can be used in various applications, such as industrial facilities, laboratories, and hospitals, to ensure that temperatures fall within safe, appropriate ranges.
A typical temperature monitoring system consists of the following:
- A temperature sensor for determining the range and accuracy of temperature readings
- A temperature measuring device for measuring and recording the temperature
- A thermal buffer for smoothening temperature fluctuations
- Software and data storage devices allow you to monitor, retrieve, and report temperature readings
- An alarm system that provides alerts in the event of temperature excursion
4 ways temperature monitoring systems can solve logistics problems
The biggest challenges facing the logistics sector include compliance issues, damaged products, lack of traceability, and managing operational costs. However, logistics companies can overcome some of these challenges by leveraging temperature control system capabilities. Here’s how.
1. Improved compliance
Compliance is a significant issue for logistics businesses with freight traveling across state lines and country borders. Like individual countries, each state across the U.S. has different temperature regulations for food and other temperature-sensitive products.
Similarly, all products have unique ideal temperature requirements for storage and transportation, so it can be challenging for logistics companies to adhere to and prove compliance – something they can only achieve by leveraging accurate, up-to-date data logs.
For example, one of our data loggers, MaxiLog-PDF Temperature Data Logger, can record temperature data throughout the storage and transportation of temperature-sensitive products. These devices are designed to withstand extreme temperatures, making them perfect for monitoring sub-zero temperatures in cold chain storage and transportation facilities.
Since data loggers collect and store all temperature data over time, logistics companies can present the data to regulators as proof of compliance.
2. Improved traceability
As consumer demand for safe products escalates, retailers and distributors have found themselves at a crossroads. They have to guarantee and demonstrate the safety of their products without increasing overhead costs. To meet these demands, they’ve placed more pressure on logistics companies to help play a critical role in maintaining quality throughout the supply chain.
Thankfully, logistics companies are able to meet these demands by leveraging temperature control systems capable of monitoring the temperature and other attributes of the products, like packaging and shipping conditions.
With temperature sensors and data storage devices like the MaxiLog-PDF GEN2 Temperature Data Logger, logistics companies can effectively guarantee and prove the safety of their products.
These devices accurately measure and record temperatures and other product attributes like shipping conditions, typically updated for reference whenever a product changes hands. This way, retailers and consumers can validate the quality of products through updated, real-time data.
3. Cost efficiency
Logistics companies have a lot of overhead costs to deal with. Much of the budget goes into streamlining operations from vehicle maintenance, warehouse leasing, and other administration costs. And since they can’t compromise on product quality, they must figure out different ways to lower operational costs and improve efficiencies.
With temperature monitoring devices like the MaxiLog-PDF Bluetooth data logger, logistics companies can effectively reduce wastage and spoilage. These devices offer access to vast amounts of accurate data to help them develop better, more effective product-handling techniques.
4. Maintaining product quality
Product quality is a significant concern for businesses and consumers alike. Perishable goods like food can go bad if not stored and transported in ideal temperature conditions. The same applies to pharmaceutical products, which might become ineffective or toxic when exposed to extreme temperature variations.
Marathon Products devices like the 2c\temp-LCD data logger provide real-time monitoring and alerts that enable logistics companies to take immediate action whenever product temperature falls or rises above the ideal range. As a result, logistics companies can minimize losses attributed to product spoilage and increase their chances of delivering products in their original state.
The logistics sector faces a lot of bottlenecks, especially when it comes to delivering high-quality goods without increasing overhead costs. Fortunately, stringent temperature monitoring and management can prevent most of these issues.
Streamline logistics operations with Marathon Products
By actively monitoring and responding to dangerous temperature variations in transport and storage facilities, logistics companies can streamline their operations to help minimize losses, cut operational costs, and ensure compliance.
Meeting these demands is even better with the help of Marathon Products, a leading environmental precision service provider dedicated to offering affordable and custom solutions. What sets us apart is that our devices are accurately calibrated to deliver precise, real-time temperature monitoring, data logging, and alerts.
Please contact us today if you’re ready to revolutionize your logistics business with the highest-quality temperature monitoring systems. Don’t ship without us!