temperature_integrity

Digital Transformation in the Cold Supply Chain using IoT

by with No Comment Internet Of Things

Cold Supply Chain organizations continue to lose millions because of spoilage from temperature fluctuations and potential hazards for consumers and subsequent regulatory actions.

The organizations produce the majority of biologics products, which are highly sensitive to storage conditions. Temperature monitoring must be done by following cold chain processes, whether they are in storage or in transit.

Biological products have a large proportion of shorter shelf lives and carry strict temperature requirements.

Understanding IoT

The IoT signifies smart devices connected through sensors and the Internet that performs tasks and exchange real-time data. The IoT application, such as cold chain monitoring, resources (man and machine) tracking, packaging, and warehouse management, is very much suited to cold supply chain management.

The IoT can help manage supply chains, improve services, and products, so industries have a compelling opportunity to adopt and profit from the IoT, the game-changing technology.

The rapid expansion of IoT devices provides enough potential to organizations by harnessing and using data collected through smart devices in the supply chain lifecycle]. IoT is defined as a network of uniquely identifiable endpoints or things that communicate without human interaction using IP. connectivity, whether locally or globally.

The IoT is also defined as the extended development of internet services to consider smart objects that exist. Supply chain integration is critical for improving business performances and can be achieved through cost reduction, improving responsiveness, increasing service level, and streamlining organizations’ decision-making processes.

The IoT has a significant role in the warehousing and distribution cycle of the supply chain. Smart objects are connected to the Internet using their communication protocol and are continuously collecting and processing the data. The role of IoT mostly starts from manufacturing for shop floor visibility and then moves to the warehouse for real-time inventory visibility, and then finally during distribution toward higher fleet management for real-time cold chain processes.

IoT solutions can help cold chain organizations remotely monitor cold chain environments in real-time by embedding sensors on tracking equipment using smartphones and tablets. IoT models can provide information, such as (a) product carrier information, (b) continuous monitoring using sensors, (c) location tracking using GPS, and (d) regular and urgent notifications containing carrier temperatures, humidity, and location information with a timestamp.

A smart manufacturing factory’s communication system comprises a wireless sensor network for connecting the sensor module and gateway, and then the sensor and sensor module is distributed to the necessary position in the factory. Smart equipment using IoT solutions collects operational data and status, allows visibility across equipment, and real-time dynamic scheduling of shop floor activities.

The solution helps in reducing equipment downtime, and the utilization rate improves. Sensors can also help collect metadata to identify and reduce process variability and improve production yield to enhance productivity, efficiencies, and cycle time.

The warehouse is an important area for the cold chain industry. The business managers manage many storage facilities globally to ensure a continuous and timely supply of their products in a cost-efficient manner. Real-time visibility and three-dimensional view of warehouse operations allow warehouse managers (a) monitor and track the storage of sensitive products in controlled zones, (b) track inventory of finished goods, and (c) identify problem areas and assign resources to deal with issues requiring human interventions.

Conclusion

IoT is an enabler to spur growth within cold supply chain organizations. These organizations are more reactive than proactive in technology adoption, such as IoT despite a positive influence on the supply chain system. Underlying issues such as privacy, reliability, authentication, access control, and security issues need to be addressed before unleashing IoT applications’ unlimited potential and utility in these industries.

Increasing customer expectations towards perishable products’ potency and non-compliance with regulatory agencies have put pressure on management. These companies now started implementing IoT to enable value chain end-to-end integration.

Big data analytics and cognitive systems, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning help cold chain organizations by getting inputs from IoT devices and in the process improved the productivity of the cold chain process and the entire supply chain ecosystem. Technology is evolving every day in all industries including pharmaceuticals.

Check out our end-to-end cold supply chain temperature and humidity monitoring solution

temperature-monitoring

How Cold Chain Remote Temperature Monitoring Devices Can Help Your Business Operations

by with No Comment Internet Of Things

Cold chain monitoring devices are a powerful tool for fleets transporting food, flowers, medicine, or other goods that must be maintained at a certain temperature throughout the shipping process. The devices provide real-time temperature data so you can avoid spoilage or waste in your supply chain. For example, temperature monitoring systems allow fleets to monitor temperatures in transit to ensure proper temperatures are maintained.

What is cold chain temperature monitoring?

Cold chain monitoring devices, also known as temperature data loggers, are wireless sensors that leverage the Internet of Things (IoT) technology to provide real-time temperature data. These temperature data logging devices are commonly placed in reefers, refrigeration units, or cold rooms to help fleet managers, cold chain managers, and customers understand the temperature of various products in real-time. These temperature monitoring devices can be particularly useful for fleets in cold chain management that ship temperature-sensitive products to their customers, including food and beverages. 

How does a cold chain temperature monitoring solution work? 

A cold chain temperature monitoring solution uses wireless sensors to measure and record real-time temperatures in a remote location, like a reefer, and detect temperature changes. Real-time temperature monitoring alerts can instantly warn you if the temperature has fluctuated below or above a predetermined threshold. And with remote reefer control, you can respond at the moment to mitigate any potential damage. That means if you’re hauling cold chain products, a cold chain monitoring system can provide critical temperature measurements that allow you to act before it’s too late.

Preventing product spoilage: the importance of an unbroken cold chain

Whether your team stores, distributes or delivers temperature-sensitive products, an unbroken cold chain is critical. It requires precise record-keeping and if something goes wrong, it can lead to rejected loads and unhappy customers. To maintain the highest-quality product, perishable goods must be stored at a certain temperature while in transit.

This can be challenging, however, when a change as small as one degree can lead to thousands of dollars in spoiled products. And if you’re shipping food, it’s important to meet the regulations which state perishable foods must be stored at 5°C or below. If a truck is hauling a variety of items that require different temperature requirements—like poultry and fruit—the risk of a rejected load is even greater. And even if a product is placed onto a truck at the correct temperature, environmental conditions, power outages, or even an open door can cause temperature exposure that leads to a rejected load.

Rejected loads can negatively impact a fleet in several ways:

  • Cost: The carrier is often required to compensate the shipper for the value of the spoiled goods through a direct payment or insurance claim.
  • Waste: The carrier is often required to dispose of spoiled goods, typically in an environmentally friendly way that can often be costly.
  • Inefficiency: The truck might need to be taken to a washout facility, contributing to additional mileage and costs.
  • Business: A rejected haul can strain customer relations and complicate future sales.

There are solutions available locally for real-time temperature monitoring systems to keep your cold chain intact

Many companies have started harnessing the power of IoT technology to monitor reefer truck performance and unlock preventative maintenance capabilities. There are a number of solutions available in the market that can provide monitors and cloud-based software and make it easy to oversee cold chain logistics and collect continuous temperature data for you and your end user.

Whether your fleet has box trucks or refrigerated trailers, the wireless sensors allow trucks to monitor temperature, humidity, and reefer settings in real time. You can configure automatic email alerts to detect temperature ranges, so temperatures can be quickly adjusted if necessary. Additionally, you can set a specified timeframe before a notification is shared, so something like an open door does not automatically trigger an alert.

Robust documentation is also key to proving proper cold chain management. If the recipient doesn’t believe that a product was stored at -1°C to 0°C for the entire trip, you need to be able to refute this claim and defend your driver. Likewise, you’ll need this information on hand if the relevant authorities come to check your paperwork. Because the remote sensors provide continuous real-time temperature monitoring and historical records, you’ll always have the documentation to quickly resolve any temperature validation issues.

Cold-Chain-Tracking-and-Monitoring

Cold chain monitoring with IoT guarantees delivery quality and improves customer satisfaction

by with No Comment Internet Of Things

Monitor temperature in cold chain transport from dispatch to delivery

It is crucial for the food and pharmaceutical industries that their transports are timely delivered and handled with the correct temperature conditions during storage and transport.

The monitoring solution helps you stay in control throughout cold chain transport as advanced sensors log the temperature and position throughout the transport.

Solving the two major issues of cold chain transport

As you might know, it is very costly for companies to redeliver if products are wasted because of temperature breaches. Also, it is hard to prove who is responsible and liable for mistakes when cargo arrives in an unacceptable condition at the final customer.

The cold chain monitoring solution aims to make these two challenges a thing of the past.

  • Firstly, our tracking devices help you secure the correct delivery quality by logging temperature and humidity. The device will alert you if preconfigured limits are breached, enabling you to act immediately to prevent damage. This will reduce waste and save you money instantly. 
  • Secondly, the solution provides location-based insights on the time of incidences, unlike temperature stickers and other solutions. By knowing where any damages have occurred, you can prove who is liable for the damages to your cargo.

Furthermore, suppose managers are able to keep a record of the conditions and location during the transportation process. In that case, this secures compliance in the supply chain towards all interests in the delivery process.

How cold chain monitoring works with our tracking devices and data loggers

Advanced IoT technology will drive efficiency throughout your supply chain.

An RHT sensor tag measures relative humidity and temperature data. The RHT sensor communicates with our IoT device which automatically collects and sends data to our comprehensive cloud-based platform.

If any thresholds data from your transport exceed thresholds defined for your delivery, the system automatically sends out an alert to the users. This enables cold chain managers to react immediately and fix the problem and possibly minimize the risk of losing the products.

Tracking can grow your business supply chain

Our cold chain monitoring solution helps businesses to streamline processes in the supply chain and enhance decision-making. This, we dare say, will help you achieve a temperature-controlled supply chain that gains operational efficiency and improves quality control.

The system can generate proof temperature data for documentation use. Documentation and quick notification to customers about delays and damage to cargo can lead to increased customer satisfaction.

So, take advantage of the following benefits:

  • Alerts when temperature changes
  • Temperature data for documentation
  • Customers are getting a data set to prove compliance in the delivery
aquaculture_water_quality

How the Internet of Things (IoT) is being used to enhance fish health and welfare

by with No Comment Internet Of Things

The fish farming industry needs instruments that can monitor in real-time fish health and welfare objectively, without killing or disturbing the fish or interfering with daily management. The main aim to exploit the potential of the Internet of Things (IoT) is to contribute to the development of sustainable and resilient aquaculture systems that ensures profitability, maintains healthy aquatic ecosystems and strengthens the capacity for adaptation to climate change.

Enhanced environmental (e.g. oxygen, temperature, salinity, pressure) and biological (e.g. behaviour, activity, energetic, feeding physiology) sensor data, collected by a network of wireless electronic sensors, can provide accurate fine-scale measurements of environmental conditions, fish health, welfare and habitat use, average fish size and biomass, thus facilitating predictive modelling of the rearing performances and impacts.

The real-time wireless communication system and sensor network for large-scale demonstration activities have been defined. The real-time wireless communication system and sensor network envisaged for the large-scale demonstration activities includes a cloud platform that communicates wireless underwater, based on the technology offered by Real-time aquaculture and a family of compact, submersible environmental sensors, with underwater and in-air wireless communications. This technology enables data-driven ocean farming where knowledge drives better decisions. The system architecture is shown here:

Progress in the testing of physiological sensors technologies

Understanding the impacts of environmental change and human activity on farmed fish can be greatly enhanced by using electronic sensors. Enhanced biological (e.g. behaviour, activity, energetic, feeding physiology) sensor data, collected by onboard electronic tags provide accurate fine-scale measurements of fish health and welfare during the large-scale demonstration activities in the project.

Before the large-scale demonstration, we firstly needed to establish a baseline of information for each of the target species, i.e. for gilthead seabream and seabass.

The objective was to find a calibration model of the tailbeat tag activity as a function of the

i) critical swimming speed,

ii) oxygen consumption and metabolic rate,

iii) electromyograms. Less availability of anaerobic energetic reserves has consequences for the reactivity of stress systems, reflected in a reduced ability of the fish to compensate for stressful events.

The calibration tests provided us with a model to assess fine-scale measurements of the fish’s physiological state and the ability to cope with stressful events.

Development of biomass estimation sensing system

Fish biomass estimation is one of the most common and important practices in aquaculture. The relationship between the shape of the fish and the mass is well known. The mass of the fish is calculated from its geometric measurements using empirical relationships that depend on the species and condition of the fish.

DE4-IoT-tem1374_20210610143140_theedgemarkets

Measuring Dissolved Oxygen (DO) with IoT

by with No Comment Internet Of Things

Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is perhaps one of the most critical indicators of water quality. IoT (Internet of Things) dissolved oxygen sensors are used to accurately measure the oxygen content in water and transmit the results in real-time back to a central database, cloud or water monitoring platform.

Dissolved oxygen refers to the level of free oxygen present in the body of water; oxygen is vital for the survival of fish and other aquatic lifeforms. The ability to automatically and accurately measure DO in a body of water using IoT equipment offers several advantages over traditional methods.

How does oxygen get into the water?

Oxygen can enter a water system in several ways, but these methods are generally categorised as surface-aeration and sub-surface aeration.

  • Oxygen from the atmosphere can dissolve and mix into the water’s surface. Examples of atmospheric surface aeration could include the wind disturbing the surface of the water, movement from streams, waterfalls or similar flows of water.
  • Algae and other underwater grasses create oxygen through photosynthesis and will release this into the water.  Oxygen is then used by fish and also important aerobic bacteria that can break down excess nutrients in the water.

What is the right level of Dissolved Oxygen?

As previously mentioned, Dissolved Oxygen is a critical component of any healthy aquatic system or watercourse. Therefore it is essential to ensure DO levels are optimal. Dissolved oxygen in water can range from 0-18ppm (parts per million), while a healthy aquatic system should have DO levels of around 5-6ppm.

Local authorities, environment agencies and utilities all have a responsibility to measure DO levels regularly. Fishing pond operators and fish farms are similarly interested in maintaining healthy levels of dissolved oxygen.

IoT Dissolved Oxygen Sensors (Libelium)

The Libelium Plug & Sense Smart Water and Smart Water Xtreme support two types of IoT sensors that can be used to measure dissolved oxygen in the water.

  • Smart Water – Dissolved Oxygen Sensor. This is a galvanic cell sensor that can measure DO in the range 0-20mg/L with an accuracy of ±2%. The sensor produces a voltage proportional to the dissolved oxygen in the solution. The sensors include a 5m cable.
  • Smart Water Xtreme – Optical dissolved oxygen and temperature sensor probe. The OPTOD probe uses luminescent optical technology that is better suited to long-term or remote IoT monitoring of dissolved oxygen. The OPTOD probe is highly accurate, even in low-flow water systems or with low concentrations of dissolved oxygen
crop-Precision-Agriculture

Soil Monitoring with IoT – Smart Agriculture

by with No Comment Internet Of Things

Soil Monitoring with IoT uses technology to empower farmers and producers to maximise yield, reduce disease and optimise resources. IoT sensors can measure soil temperature, NPK, volumetric water content, photosynthetic radiation, soil water potential and soil oxygen levels. Data from the IoT sensors are then transmitted back to a central point (or the cloud) for analysis, visualisation and trend analysis.

The resultant data can then be used to optimise farming operations, identify trends and make subtle adjustments to conditions to maximise crop yield and quality. The use of IoT in agriculture is known as Smart Agriculture (or Smart Farming), and IoT is a central component of Precision Farming.

What can I measure with Smart Agriculture / IoT sensors?

Smart Agriculture is focused on soil, weather and crop conditions. Given the importance of weather and irrigation, many Smart Farming solutions are coupled with Smart Environment (Air Quality) and Smart Water (Pollution, Turbidity, Nutrients) for a complete solution. The most common IoT sensors are listed below:

Soil Temperature

Soil temperature is an essential factor in belowground plant activity, influencing root growth, respiration, decomposition and mineralisation of nitrogen. IoT sensors can estimate soil temperature by measuring air temperature and other factors; however, the most accurate measurement is to use a probe buried in the soil.

Depending on the root structure of the plant in question, multiple probes can be installed at different depths. Surface soil temperature can be monitored using a different type of IoT sensor that uses IR technology.

  • Soil temperature.
  • Non-Contact surface temperature.

Soil Moisture

The moisture content of soil can also be monitored using buried probes with electrodes. In hydrology, soil science and agricultural moisture content play a vital role in soil chemistry, plant growth and groundwater recharge. Soil moisture content is essential for several reasons:

  • Water in the soil serves as a critical nutrient for all crops and plants.
  • Water is an essential component of photosynthesis.
  • Crop yield is heavily influenced by the availability of water in the soil.
  • Soil water is an important carrier of soluble food nutrients for plant growth.
  • Soil water helps regulate soil temperatures.

Soil science is a complex area, and suffices to say; that it is beyond the scope of this article! IoT and Smart Agriculture technology from Libelium can  measure the following:

  • Soil moisture (3 x depths)
  • Conductivity.
  • Volumetric water content.
  • Soil water potential.

Solar Radiation

IoT sensors can measure different types of solar radiation that play a vital role in photosynthesis. Beyond basic light levels of Lux, IoT can measure the following:

  • Solar – Photosynthetically active radiation.
  • Solar – UV.
  • Solar – Shortwave.

Solar radiation can have a real impact on plant-growth, and IoT enables you to monitor solar levels to understand correlations and trends.

Weather

Rainfall/precipitation, wind, humidity and atmospheric pressure all play an essential role in plant growth. Our Smart Agriculture systems support several advanced weather stations. Weather stations and soil sensors give you a 360 view of your farming operation. IoT weather stations can measure the following:

  • Precipitation (optical and tipping bucket measurements).
  • Temperature.
  • Humidity.
  • Air pressure.
  • Wind speed.
  • Wind direction.

Soil sensors

Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium (pot-ash) sensors are relatively new to the market but provide a method in which these key soil nutrients can be measured using IoT sensors. NPK IoT sensors use various technologies, but TDR is a common method used by these sensors. NPK sensors support RS485 to be integrated into IoT solutions, including LoRaWAN and data loggers.

Combined sensors can measure:

  • Nitrogen
  • Phosphorous
  • Potassium
  • pH
  • EC
  • Temperature
  • Moisture

NOTE: NPK sensors are in a development phase and the accuracy/sensitivity of these sensors does vary between vendors. MTG is helping trial on some next-generation NPK sensors that will hopefully lead to the increased accuracy of these sensors.

Other Measurements

We support many other IoT sensors for agriculture and are valuable in specific niche scenarios. Although not soil monitoring, they enhance any IoT deployment. These additional sensors include:

  • Vapour pressure
  • Soil oxygen levels.
  • Leaf and flow-bud temperature.
  • Leaf wetness.
  • Trunk, stem and fruit diameter.

Wireless Communications for IoT and Smart Agriculture

A key benefit of IoT solutions is the wide range of wireless communication options available. IoT is not just limited to urban areas with extensive mobile coverage; support for LoRaWAN, 4G, Zigbee, Sigfox, WIFI and Satellite mean Smart Farming/Agriculture solutions work find in both urban, rural and very-remote environments. IoT systems’ low-power nature means nodes and sensors can be powered by battery, solar or other renewable sources.

How can I use the data?

The effective use of data and insights really depends on your environment and application.

  • Web-based dashboards can visualise data.
  • Mobile apps and mobile optimised web pages can visualise data for mobile devices.
  • Data can be imported or accessed using analytical tools such as Excel, PowerBI or Tableau.
  • Dashboard and monitoring systems can generate alerts if thresholds are exceeded (i.e. NPK levels, soil moisture, etc.)
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Server Room Temperature and Humidity Monitoring

by with No Comment Internet Of Things

Server rooms are growing larger by the day. With the amount of data that needs to be gathered and stored, it’s essential that the physical server rack temperature stays within a safe range. Server rooms can rise to a very high temperature if not monitored and controlled properly. Industrial IoT Wireless Temperature Humidity Sensors can ensure that no matter the number of physical racks it has, you can remotely monitor temperature and humidity within your server area.

Recommended Temperature & Humidity Levels

Temperature levels within a server room must be kept within a certain range to ensure overheating does not occur. The ideal temperature range in a server room should be between 68°F (20°C) and 71°F (21.66°C). This can be accomplished by running an air conditioning system, and also by keeping a cooling duct system in place. By installing IoT Wireless Temperature Humidity Sensors, the System Administrator can be notified if and when the temperature reaches an unsafe level for equipment.

Humidity levels within a server room are especially important to keep within a certain range to prevent corrosion due to an overabundance of condensation. Humidity levels are recommended to be kept between 40%-60% relative humidity (rH.) Keeping levels at this range will extend the life of the server equipment.

Keep in mind, that these levels are all relative to your specific server room. The recommended temperature and humidity levels may change with variables such as room size, positioning of racks within a room, closeness to a door that may open and close throughout the day, distance from any HVAC unit within a building, and size of racks, and much more. It’s very important to know your specific server room and the temperature and humidity levels it requires to run smoothly. 

On top of ensuring safety and peace of mind by installing IoT Wireless Temperature and Humidity Sensors, users of server rooms can also ensure the conservation of energy by using these sensors. Overheating of a server room can cause malfunction, and lead to catastrophic breakdown of machinery, and essential data. By presetting thermostats and sensors, a well-maintained air conditioning unit can help preserve server rooms at a predetermined temperature, keeping assets safe from failure.

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How the IoT Is Helping Optimize Cold Chain Logistics

by with No Comment Internet Of Things

Industry technology can help to make cold chain logistics much easier to manage. Internet of things (IoT) devices is already used in a wide range of industries to gather real-time information on business processes.

In the cold chain, IoT technology can help businesses track important data on shipments — potentially allowing them to prevent temperature excursions and provide better data to stakeholders.

Here’s how businesses are already using IoT to optimize their cold chain logistics.

  1. Temperature Monitoring

A key feature of IoT devices is their ability to monitor the temperatures that cold chain shipments are exposed to.

By attaching an IoT temperature monitor to the outside of a package or pallet, sensors can be used in a variety of transportation modes — including trucks, rail freight or air cargo — to continuously track the temperature of food items, important pharmaceuticals and other items that need cold chain logistics.

These sensors will gather and report this data in real-time. Because IoT sensors can automatically store data on the cloud, all relevant stakeholders can have access to the temperature data that they collect.

In the event that an IoT sensor detects a temperature excursion, an alert system can automatically notify managers, drivers, administrative staff and other workers — allowing them to take action to prevent spoilage.

Stored data can also be used to improve processes, identify bottlenecks and determine fault in the event that an excursion causes spoilage. At any time after a sensor collects temperature data, stakeholders can review captured information and trends — or use analytics software to automatically extract valuable insights from historical temperature data.

IoT temperature tracking devices can also monitor other aspects of a shipment’s journey — for example, a combination vibration, light and temperature sensor can monitor for heat as well as exposure to light, shocks, vibrations and sudden stops.

Many cold chain products don’t just require low temperatures. Many vaccines that need cold chain logistics, for example, may spoil or lose potency if exposed to light. Sudden shocks can also risk damage to vaccine containers and packing materials.

IoT devices that monitor temperature can also help to monitor for these potential threats.

  1. GPS and RFID Shipment Tracking

IoT devices are also excellent at tracking the current location of a shipment or individual product. By using technology like GPS or RFID, it’s possible for an IoT device to gather information on a shipment’s movement.

With GPS, this information will be in real-time. With RFID, the system will depend on RFID readers installed at important locations that continuously scan for RFID tags. These systems will provide instant updates whenever an RFID-tagged shipment arrives at a warehouse, fulfillment center, retail location or delivery destination.

These systems can automatically alert stakeholders when an item is on the move, allowing them to track the position of all their shipments, 24/7. The same IoT device can be used to monitor both temperature and location.

The same technology can also help businesses and logistics providers offer better delivery estimates to their clients. With real-time tracking, it’s much easier to forecast when an item will arrive at a destination accurately.

  1. Automated Reporting and Cloud Data Storage

Because IoT devices are connected to the internet and can collect data continuously, they can also be used for automatic report-generation and cloud data backups.

For example, data from an IoT device can be automatically delivered to relevant stakeholders or stored for monthly documentation of important information.

In addition to delivering data to the cloud, an IoT device can send information to logistics management platforms, where the information can be analyzed by stakeholders with the help of dashboards and other data visualization tools.

The device can also stream information to AI-powered analytic tools, allowing businesses to use the IoT data to power delivery time or temperature excursion prediction algorithms.

These algorithms can help businesses see a crisis coming based on patterns in IoT data, potentially long before the issue would be obvious to a manager or analyst following the data on their own.

  1. Equipment Health Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance

In addition to monitoring shipments directly, IoT devices are also an excellent tool for tracking the performance and health of cold chain equipment — including delivery vehicles, warehouse machinery and even HVAC systems.

Existing IoT performance monitoring systems can track a wide variety of performance and environmental variables. Information from these systems can help businesses track machine performance and health.

For example, an IoT fleet may capture a machine’s timing, vibration, temperature and lubrication information. If one of these variables leaves its safe operating range, the system can automatically notify site technicians.

IoT devices may also measure local temperature, humidity and CO2 levels, allowing managers of a warehouse or fulfilment centre to know if local environmental conditions may be negatively impacting the performance of a site machine.

Equipment monitoring is already a popular application of IoT devices in many industries, meaning that cold chain logistics professionals wanting to adopt the technology have access to a large and growing market of IoT equipment monitoring solutions.

Experts predict that the market is on track to grow quickly over the next few years, meaning that logistics companies will have access to even more options in the near future.

With enough data, businesses can also use IoT devices to lay the foundation for a predictive maintenance system. These are systems that use AI and IoT machine performance data to predict a machine’s maintenance needs.

By analysing information collected from IoT devices, it’s possible to predict when a machine will need maintenance or repairs.

These systems can also alert managers when they predict that machine failure is imminent — allowing for an emergency shutdown that can help to prevent significant damage to a machine that may result in more expensive repairs and greater downtime.


How IoT Devices May Help to Transform the Cold Chain

With new IoT devices, cold chain logistics providers may be able to streamline their operations. A fleet of IoT devices can provide crucial information on both shipments and the equipment used to move them.

Cold chain professionals are already using IoT devices to prevent spoilage and more effectively monitor shipments as they move from location to location.

IoT devices can also lay the foundation for predictive analytics algorithms that can accurately predict delivery times or machine maintenance needs