Temperature Monitoring Archives

There’s No Room for Error When Transporting Vaccines

Posted on October 13, 2020 | by Anna | Leave a Comment

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone’s day to day life and significantly disrupted businesses’ routines and operations. People are all anxiously hoping for an end to the crisis and a return to normalcy, as soon as possible.

After months of patiently waiting, everyone remains cautiously optimistic that a vaccine is on the horizon – in the near future. The only question is when will it be widely available? By asking the question “when”, we don’t mean when the vaccine will be ready or approved, but rather when will the majority of the population have access to the vaccination.

Distributing and transporting vaccines tends to be an even greater challenge than the development of vaccines. The fragile characteristic of medical logistics and strict transporting requirements, especially on a global scale, is very problematic.

The Logistics Challenge For Vaccines

The logistics network capacity, especially cold-chain network capacity, is simply not enough to support distribution at this scale. Vaccines are temperature-sensitive high-value commodities. They are required to be transported in a climate-controlled environment, from beginning to end, to protect the quality and the effectiveness of vaccines.

The difficulty of cold-chain transportation is that each tool and equipment used in the logistics system must be specialized to meet the rigid cold-chain regulations and laws. Any breach in the cold chain could result in the whole batch of vaccines being unusable – an expensive mistake that no logistics company can afford to make.

What makes the transport process of the COVID-19 vaccines even more challenging is that some COVID-19 vaccines require a significantly more stringent transport environment than the conventional vaccine. Conventional vaccines are usually stored at temperatures between 2°C and 8°C, while some COVID-19 vaccines require to be transported at temperatures below -80°C.

This further poses obstacles to logistics companies as only a small subset of available logistics infrastructures and equipment can handle these kinds of transport requirements.

Furthermore, vaccines are usually shipped within the belly hold of the passenger aircraft rather than the dedicated cargo aircraft as it can help vaccines get closer to the final destination. The reduction of commercial passenger flights due to low demands and global travel restrictions caused by COVID-19 create more chaos in the distribution chain, forcing specialized freight trucks to play a greater role in moving vaccines to rural or remote locations.

Vaccine Storage And Transportation Guidelines

All levels of government and health authorities have set out clear guidelines and rules on how to safely store, transport, and handle vaccines. Vaccines transporters and couriers have the responsibility to protect vaccines from heat, excessive moistures, light exposures. Couriers should designate trained individuals to manage and monitor the entire process of vaccine transportation.

Protecting the cold chain’s integrity is the top priority of any couriers, and couriers should be equipped with the appropriate equipment, vehicles, and tools to prevent any temperature breach.

Truck vehicles with a dedicated insulated storage container equipped with thermometers and fail-safe door closing mechanisms should be used to transport vaccines. Vaccine temperature must be maintained within a certain range dictated by vaccine manufacturers’ instructions throughout the trip. The door of the truck container should be kept closed as much as possible.

It is important for couriers to monitor and keep track of temperature periodically to ensure that the cold chain is maintained. A temperature log that documents the vaccine temperature along the trip should be kept for future inspection or review. Couriers must report any cold chain accidents or breaches that occurred during the trip to the local public health department seeking further instructions on vaccines’ use or disposal.

Transporting Vaccines: Leveraging Telematics With Limitless Functionality

Temperature Monitoring Sensors

The complexity of the vaccine cold chain makes it difficult for humans to monitor and keep track of the whole process, and this is where telematics technologies supports the movement of temperature-sensitive cargo. Precision temperature sensors are the key tool in collecting and providing accurate ambient temperature reading of the container to the drivers and fleet managers.

This is different from the traditional temperature monitoring sensors that only measure the blower output air temperature. Ambient temperature reading provides a much more accurate representation of the actual temperature in the trailer as it takes into consideration the conveyor effect of cold and warm air variations caused by opening and closing doors. Smart temperature sensors also have one huge advantage over traditional technology – thanks to its high digital connectivity. Drivers and fleet managers can receive real-time updates and alerts of container temperature, so early intervention could be taken when a problem happens.

Moisture and Humidity Monitoring Sensors

Temperature is not the only metric that matters when transporting vaccines; moisture and humidity are the other two essential metrics to consider and monitor when moving vaccines. This is especially critical when transporting vaccines in high humidity regions, where there is a risk of moisture damage caused by condensation. Modern-day telematic sensors have functionality to measure, analyze, and report these readings in real-time to drivers and fleet managers, offering them a comprehensive look at trailer status.

Motion Detection And Optical Sensors

Frequent opening of the trailer door is one the top factor resulting in a cold chain breach. The trailer’s temperature can drastically change within a short period as warm air flows into the container when leaving the door open. For example, studies have shown that temperature can fluctuate up to 10°C when doors are left open for 5 minutes.

The governmental guidelines recommend that couriers should keep the door locked as much as possible to reduce the introduction of warm air and direct sunlight to the trailer. This is why optical sensors and motion detection sensors are necessary tools in helping drivers and couriers to monitor door status. They can immediately notify drivers and fleet managers in case of a door problem, lock failure, or improper door handling. Because of these sensors’ high sensitivity, any slight changes in the ambient environment could be captured and automatically reported to drivers and fleet managers so proper actions could be taken, avoiding expensive mistakes.

Smart Analytics And Troubleshooting System

When a temperature breach happens, couriers and fleet managers need to react and identify root causes to prevent further damage and financial loss quickly. However, finding the root causes might not always be an easy process, as there could be many factors contributing to a cold chain accident.

Having a smart telematics solution package can simplify the troubleshooting process and save valuable time and money for couriers. Many telematics tools that focus on temperature monitoring can provide real-time analytics of historical data and generate cold-chain custody reports. Fleet managers can even access and retrieve historical data from anywhere and identify issues.

Generating and keeping a copy of the cold chain custody report is also a mandatory step in fulfilling regulatory requirements. Preparing a historical record of the trailer’s temperature is required for any potential inspections, and the telematics solution completes all the data organization and analysis for you automatically.

Cloud-based Data Storage Solution

The advanced cloud-based data storage solution included in telematics solutions ease the process of storing complicated data history and all the paperwork. The combination of smart hardware and convenient software shape an uninterrupted connect workflow giving drivers and fleet managers maximal visibility and control of key assets.

Best of all, all the temperature monitoring sensors, humidity and moisture sensors, optical and motion sensors are integrated into one simple plug-and-play tracking device that is low-cost and easy to install. Installation can usually be completed within minutes, eliminating any impacts on your fleet operations.

The transportation and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines require a collaborative global effort between all levels of transport chains. A small mistake in the cold chain transport can undermine the quality and effectiveness of the entire batch of vaccines, costing businesses and couriers substantial money.

Investing in smart temperature monitoring and asset tracking solutions can help businesses and couriers avoid making expensive mistakes and accidents and accelerate the safe distribution of COVID-19 vaccines across the world.

Did our piece about transporting vaccines interest you in learning more about how telematics technology can help your fleet? Speak with one of our cold chain tracking specialists to see how to upgrade your fleet and technologies to prepare for the upcoming challenge.

food transportation, cold chain custody, telematics, temperature monitoring

Food Transportation: Why Temperature Monitoring Should Not Be Overlooked

Posted on July 30, 2020 | by Anna | Leave a Comment

Given the current economic environment, many commercial transportation fleets can’t afford to have hiccups in their operations. When speaking about food transportation, this remains true as food products are at a higher risk of being rejected by receivers if they do not meet strict temperature requirements. As a result, more stress has been placed on enforcing food safety regulations and using the right telematics tools to reduce cargo losses of temperature-sensitive goods.

Financial Implications of Temperature Sensitive Products

Food transporters are at risk financially if they are unable to abide by strict temperature storage guidelines. In the past, when loads are found to not meet strict transporting guidelines, receivers may deem the products within the load unsafe and refuse to accept them. Meaning, if even one shipment in a 36-foot trailer gets transported at an improper temperature, businesses can lose up to $30,000.

In an attempt to mitigate financial losses resulting from the improper transportation of temperature-sensitive goods, telematics technology is steadily gaining popularity.

Why Shipments Get Rejected

Regardless of how far a delivery is, transporters with subpar temperature monitoring systems may not meet specific temperature qualifications. When this happens, receivers may decide to reject the shipment, as previously mentioned. For example, if frozen goods are on the brink of thawing when they arrive, or if heat-sensitive dairy products are delivered warm, receivers could refuse to accept the load. Consumers are at risk of bacterial poisoning if these products are allowed to reach the store shelves.

Regulations to Ensure Safe Food Transportation

To reduce the likelihood of spoiled products being sold to the public, in 2017, the FDA introduced the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The focus of the FSMA was to create a strict, standardized playbook. The regulations would prevent improperly documented and unsafe transportation of human and animal food products regardless of whether the products were in open or closed containers.

According to the FSMA, individuals in food transportation must ensure the following:

Vehicle trailers transporting food products must be pre-cooled to specific temperatures by shippers prior to the goods being loaded;
Cold-chain integrity must be maintained during the entire trip, and transporters must explain any temperature breaches along the way;
For at least one year, shippers and transporters must record the last three shipments of trailers for each delivery.

With these rules in mind, it’s important to note that the FSMA did not mandate the use of telematics. However, it is easy to understand why telematics would make meeting compliance easier and more precise.

Initial Compliance Concerns

When the Food Safety Modernization Act was introduced, many found that their fleets were at risk for not meeting requirements. This is because their drivers were relying on outdated and inaccurate temperature monitoring tools. Such systems typically only provided drivers with basic information about trailer temperatures as they did not use advanced telematics technology to see what the actual ambient air temperatures are. Older systems would only show temperature readings on in-cab displays of the blower output air temperature. These readings can be misleading as the device does not take into consideration the conveyor effect of cold and warm air variations caused by opened and closed doors.

What Consultants Recommend For Food Transportation Businesses

With strict regulations in place, many businesses are finding that older processes related to reporting and temperature monitoring are no longer sufficient. Meaning more loads are at risk for being rejected and more businesses are at risk for not being able to provide proper cold chain custody reports. When speaking to industry consultants like GoFleet, food transporters are offered a 360 telematics solution that focuses on temperature monitoring, GPS location tracking, and digital reporting to ensure FSMA compliance.

Temperature Monitoring and Maintaining Appropriate Trip Temperatures

Telematics temperature monitoring solutions are suggested for food transporters because smart systems can be utilized to monitor the indoor environments of trailers. They ensure that the temperature is correct and meets compliance. This is possible as solutions can be placed strategically throughout the trailer to continuously report on the temperature when the vehicle is in motion and even whether specific pre-cooling temperatures have successfully been met prior to loading.

When discussing the capability of monitoring the ambient temperature of the trailer throughout the entire trip, solutions can notify when temperatures begin to change to unsafe levels. This is critical because the temperature can drastically change in just a short period. When a trailer is loaded after pre-cooling requirements are met, the ambient temperature in a reefer can drop by 10 degrees within 5 minutes, depending on the outdoor weather conditions.

Even after a drop in temperature after loading, some trailers could have a chance at re-cooling if the blower is able to distribute cold air without interruptions continuously. However, if there are frequent stops which require the trailer doors to open and close (introducing warm air), re-cooling the trailer to a safe temperature may never be possible. In cases like this, telematics systems could notify drivers that they will need to set aside time for the trailer to cool back down to the appropriate temperature before continuing their route. Forgoing this cooling break puts fleets at risk for not complying with FSMA requirements.

When temperature monitoring technology is associated with a GPS tracking solution, teams can even collect temperature data and relate it to unique location points. Meaning, teams can see possible temperature changes with the distance traveled and stops made. This helps in predicting when cool-down stops may be necessary.

Digital Reporting to Keep Cold Chain Custody Reports For Investigations

Digital reporting solutions are crucial to food transporters because of the reliability, accuracy, and easy storage benefits that comes with it. Specifically, telematics reporting solutions stop drivers from having to manually record temperature data. Instead, the solution does it automatically and even associates specific GPS locations to the report. Human error is reduced, and the necessary paperwork is always completed. In fact, when a GPS location is associated with a change in temperature, it can allow the fleet to confirm how much of the shipment was affected and whether any cargo can still be delivered.

When discussing cold chain custody reports, digital reporting solutions automatically complete and keep temperature reports in a digital format. Meaning, if there is an investigation about a previous delivery, a fleet manager can easily pull the appropriate reports required from the cloud where they are stored. In fact, solutions like this can help reduce warehouse costs as physical storage locations will no longer be necessary as every report can be stored digitally on the cloud for infinite periods.

Food transporters can’t afford to overlook temperature monitoring any longer. If you’re interested to learn more about how you can ensure that your team is always remaining compliant when moving loads, contact our Compliance Specialists!

Food Industry 2018 | FSMA & Remote Temperature Monitoring Systems

Posted on May 2, 2018 | by Jimmy Song

If you are in the transportation industry, the word “ELD” probably sounds very familiar. Last year, thousands of fleets switched over to electronic logs as part of the FMCSA mandate. Similarly this year, the Food and Drug Administration is enforcing a rule for remote temperature monitoring systems.

The FDA has a mandate called FSMA, which partly governs food transport.

In this article, we will explore:

1 – What is FSMA and what are its requirements?

2 – What are the deadlines?

What is FSMA and what are its requirements?

FSMA, or the Food Safety Modernization Act, is a new food safety rule. The rule affects everyone in the food supply chain, including shippers and manufacturers.

Because of FSMA, shippers are liable for food safety during transportation. According to the rules, shippers need to set up: (1) preventative controls, and (2) monitoring controls.

Preventative Controls & FedEx Example

Firstly, shippers need to set up preventative controls. In other words, shippers must ensure that the food stays fresh throughout transportation.

Let’s take a look at FedEx and their Temp-Assure policy. With Temp-Assure, FedEx protects food transport by:

Deep freezing shipping containers.
Certifying temperature coolers in all carriers.
Packaging shipments in temperature cooling units.

Monitoring Controls & Remote Temperature Monitoring Systems

Secondly, shippers need to record shipping temperature. According to FSMA, carriers must provide records when asked.

The most common way to do this is through remote temperature monitoring systems. Remote temperature monitoring systems can range from simple to complex solutions.

For example, basic remote temperature monitoring systems record and store temperature. Advanced systems, on the other hand, alert users when temperatures exceed a certain threshold.

What are the deadlines?

FSMA deadlines can get very confusing because there are different compliance dates. Click here for a full table.

Here are some of the key points from the table:

Some businesses, especially “large” businesses, are already under FSMA as of late 2017.
“Very small businesses”, or businesses that earn less than $1 million on food sales, need to comply with FSMA by September 17, 2018.

FDA: FSMA Final Rule for Preventive Controls for Human Food

FDA: Key Changes in the FSMA Final Rule on Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food

FedEx: Temp-Assure

Oil & Gas Safety | The Importance of Training, Wireless Gas Detection and Disaster Recovery Planning

Posted on January 30, 2018 | by Jimmy Song

Are all gas leaks dangerous?

According to Nicholas Kawa, only some leaks are dangerous. Kawa worked as a gas leak investigator. During his job, Kawa was surprised to find out that gas leaks were everywhere and not all leaks were fixed right away. In a time where people are thinking about safety and are buying things like wireless gas detection systems, why aren’t all leaks fixed right away?

Well, only gas leaks that have 5 – 15% concentration are actually explosive. Kawa realized that gas leaks were everywhere and only the riskiest leaks were prioritized.

Even though most leaks are harmless, gas safety is still important. Over the past few years, we’ve heard a lot of gas accident stories. Here are a few examples.

Examples of Oil & Gas Disasters

Gas Explosion, Etobicoke 2003

I had a personal experience with this disaster. At the time of the accident, I was still in elementary school. On that day, I was playing in recess and then heard the loudest “bang!” of my life. Of course, we were all scared and ran back to our teachers.

It turned out that the bang was from a nearby accident. A construction crew was working at a site when it struck a gas line. It caused a gas leak and the resulting explosion destroyed a strip mall.

Since 2003, several companies were fined for the accident. It also prompted businesses to take a closer look at their safety policies to prevent a future accident.

Lac-Mégantic Rail Disaster

Lac-Mégantic, a small town in Québec, was forever changed by a rail accident. In 2013, a train derailed and destroyed a section of the town. How did this accident happen?

The train, which was carrying fuel, was stopped for a crew change. While the train was braked, a gas leak fire caused a small fire. Firefighters were able to put out the fire, but in the process, the train’s brakes loosened. This caused the train to roll down the tracks, derail, and crash into downtown Lac-Mégantic.

The crash was later called one of the worst rail disasters in Canada. It was deadly and nearly destroyed all of Lac-Mégantic’s downtown buildings.

Bhopal Disaster

The Bhopal disaster was perhaps the worst gas disaster in history. In 1984, a pesticide plant had an accident which released tons of poisonous gases.
Over 600,000 people in nearby towns were exposed to these gases. It was horrifying – thousands of people died that night and many more thousands died over the years.

To this day, there are still lingering effects. The nearby towns still have uncleaned gases. In fact, the government still labels the area as contaminated.

Oil & Gas Safety

As seen in the previous 3 stories, oil and gas safety can save lives. Some safety best practices include:

Employee training

Since accidents can cause wide damage, businesses spend a lot of time preventing accidents. One of the best prevention tools is training employees.

For instance, fuel companies set up policies around anything from uniforms to driving rules to vehicle inspection. After creating policies, businesses train and monitor employees. Proactive business, as a result, had much lower accident rates.

Wireless gas detection

A useful safety tool is using wireless gas detection. One of the biggest safety risks is odourless gas spills. Gas, in its natural state, is odourless. Sometimes, employees might not notice gas spills until it’s too late.

Enter wireless gas detection systems. These systems include both wireless gas detection sensors and remote shut off buttons. Sensors are portable kits that alert employees about gas threats. In addition, employees can use remote shut off buttons to cut equipment power.

Disaster Recovery Planning

Disaster recovery planning is where a business plans ahead for accidents. Although being accident-free is always the goal, businesses still need to prepare for emergencies.

For example, one company regularly conducts drills. These drills train employees on how to respond quickly to oil and gas accidents. As a result, when a spill actually happened, employees were able to quickly work with emergency services to contain the damage.

The Atlantic: Gas Leaks Can’t Be Tamed

CBC: Enbridge fined $700K for fatal Etobicoke explosion

National Post: Lac Mégantic ‘may well be the most devastating rail accident in Canadian history’

The Atlantic: Bhopal: The World’s Worst Industrial Disaster, 30 Years Later

EWEB: Tanker Crash Highlights Importance of Emergency Preparedness and Response Efforts

Advantages of Wireless Temperature Monitoring

Posted on August 15, 2017 | by Jimmy Song

What are some of the advantages of wireless temperature monitoring?

Improving Customer Service
Preventing Spoilage
Complying with Laws

Before discussing these benefits, let’s take a step back.

Even before wireless temperature monitoring existed, fleets had to control temperature to ensure food is not spoiled. Spoiled food can lead to nasty food related illnesses. Anyone who ate spoiled food can probably relate to this video:

Fleets traditionally control temperature through onboard trailer monitoring. Trailers produce temperature reports throughout the trip and these reports are reviewed afterwards.

This approach, unfortunately, is reactive rather than proactive. Fleets often realize issues only after the food is spoiled, or worse, when the customer finds out.

Let’s delve into the most important advantages of wireless temperature monitoring.

Better Customer Service

A common customer complaint is that cargo is not handled properly. Some customers require documentation to provide proof that the load is kept at an appropriate temperature.

In some cases, carriers were sued by their customers for improper handling. There is a long history of court cases dating way back to 1856. After many battles and decisions, courts ruled that carriers can be held legally accountable for food spoilage.

In order to respond to customer service demands and to avoid lawsuits, fleets turned to real-time temperature reports. These reports are sent to customers and updates them about the load’s temperature throughout the trip.

A business owner commented that this system “removes any doubt” and “I wouldn’t want to go to court in a dispute without the data.”

Preventing Spoilage

Outdated temperature systems increase the risk of food spoilage. In old systems, fleets rely on drivers to check loads and report issues to dispatchers. Drivers, from time to time, fail to notice temperature changes or fail to report it to dispatchers.

A key advantage of wireless temperature monitoring systems is providing real-time alerts to prevent spoilage. How do these alerts happen?

Fleets can set a temperature range rule. The system then records and monitors temperatures. In the event that temperature is outside of the acceptable range, the system warns the office. This allows dispatchers to alert the drivers and to schedule service before the load gets spoiled.

Preparing for Compliance

For some industries, carriers must comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) rule. The FSMA’s goal is to combat foodborne illnesses. Carriers are affected by FSMA because the rule requires carriers to take “extra care when planning temperature requirements.”

How can carriers provide extra care? Part of the requirements include providing a report on trailer temperature upon the customer’s request. A smart step for preparing for these requirements is to investigate systems that provide such reports.

How can fleets get the advantages of wireless temperature monitoring?

There are several solutions that can provide these advantages. A good starting point is to research reefer temperature kits and Bluetooth asset tags. Both of these solutions provide temperature monitoring and could be a fit depending on business needs.

Check this out to learn more about these alternatives:
A Guide to Wireless Temperature Monitoring Systems

Sources:
Heavy Duty Trucking: Remote Temp Monitoring
Geotab: Get Ready for the FSMA Transportation Rule Deadline
Lexology: Shipper’s Liability for Dangerous Cargo

A Guide to Wireless Temperature Monitoring Systems

Posted on August 14, 2017 | by Jimmy Song

A common question that fleets ask when they begin their research is, “What is the best wireless temperature monitoring system for our business needs?”

There are many wireless temperature monitoring systems, each fitting different business needs. Two alternatives include Bluetooth tracking tags and a reefer monitoring system.

In order to determine the best fit, there are two important questions to ask.

1) What am I trying to track?

I am trying to track a smaller item, such as a cooler. For small assets, a good alternative is a wireless temperature monitoring system using Bluetooth. These systems are small enough to be attached to small assets.

I am trying to track a reefer unit. Temperature controlled trailers can be tracked with either a Bluetooth tag or a reefer monitor.

2) Who needs to see the temperature data?

Only the driver needs to see the data. The Bluetooth tag can send temperature data to the driver. The reefer monitor can also send data to drivers.

I need the information to be sent to a customer or back to the office staff. The reefer monitor would be the better solution because it sends real-time reports and alerts to remote locations. The Bluetooth tag, however, cannot transmit data beyond 250m.

After answering these questions, let’s look deeper into these two alternatives!

GoBeacon Bluetooth Asset Tracking Tags

Great fit for: Tracking smaller assets, sending temperature info to drivers is sufficient.

GoBeacon Bluetooth Asset Tracking is a wireless temperature monitoring system using bluetooth. The asset tags provide data about an asset, including temperature. This data is sent to a nearby cellphone.

Here’s a video on how it works.

Real-life example

One business delivered cold goods to local customers. They wanted to ensure their products met customer expectations.

They stored the goods in a cooler and attached a GoBeacon sensor. The driver then installed an app on their phone. This app gave temperature updates to the driver and alerted the driver if they needed to replace ice packs.

As a result, the business decreased spoilage rates, which in turn, led to greater customer retention.

Valor Reefer Wireless Temperature Monitoring System

Great fit for: Reefer trailers, Sending temperature data to a remote office is required.

The Valor system is a great option for creating and sending real-time temperature reports. These reports are sent back to the office or to the customers.

In addition to reports, fleets also set appropriate temperature ranges. If the systems detects a temperature that is out of bounds, alerts are sent to both the driver and to the office.

Real-life example

One fleet operated reefers that carried ice cream (yum, perfect for summer weather). The fleet used the Valor system to prevent ice cream from melting.

The office set up temperature rules that kept the ice cream at its yummy state. When trailer cooler systems malfunctioned and the temperature was out of bounds, alerts were sent to both the drivers and the dispatchers. The dispatchers then scheduled service to meet the driver on the road.

This allowed the fleet to reduce wasted inventory and achieve higher customer satisfaction.

Top 5 Things to Look for in a Reefer Temperature Monitoring System

Posted on November 15, 2016 | by Victoria Gole

With the release of the new US Food Safety Modernization Act, there is a huge increase in demand for reefer temperature monitoring systems. But with the release of this new mandate, it’s important to ensure the system you choose, is one that will keep you in line with the FSMA.

We’ve put together the top 5 things to look for when choosing a reefer temperature monitoring system, to stay in compliance with the FSMA – and get what’s best for you and your customers.

Cold Chain Compliant
First and foremost, before looking any further make sure the system is in compliance with the US FSMA.

Immediate Alerts for Out-of-Range Temperatures
What good is it having a reefer temperature monitoring system, if you don’t get immediate alerts when the temperature is out of range? Make sure the system you choose has the capabilities to send immediate alerts whenever the temperature in your reefers goes too high or too low, so you can act on it immediately to keep your transported goods safe.

Temperature Recording in Small Increments
Sometimes the smallest change in temperature can have a big impact on the goods you are transporting. It’s important to look for a system that records in less than 1 degree increments.

Real-Time Multiple Zone Temperature Tracking
The temperature in the front of the reefer may not always be the same at the back of the reefer. With multiple zone monitoring, you can ensure all good inside the truck are kept at the appropriate temperature.

Remote & Easy Access to Up-to-Date Temperature Information
Real-time dashboard visualization and easily accessible detailed temperature reports are a critical component to keep your receiver happy, as well as comply with the FSMA reports required.

*Bonus Tip: Wireless sensors usually mean easier installation. Rather than pay expensive install fees, choose a system that your technician can easily install to keep costs down.

Questions? Feel free to reach out to [email protected]!

Step Up Your Game with a Fleet Temperature Monitoring System

Posted on November 3, 2016 | by Victoria Gole

TEMPERATURE MONITORING SYSTEM BRINGS BIG SAVINGS

As an article from earlier this year in Fleet Equipment Magazine makes clear, shipping costs for refrigerated goods can be greatly reduced with a good fleet temperature monitoring system. Of course, putting a monitoring system in place requires an investment from the fleet manager who must decide if the anticipated savings will be worth the investment. However, now with the release of the FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), temperature monitoring and reporting is a must. The potential gains range from the obvious to the more subtle.

The most obvious cost savings come from eliminating spoilage. Real-time temperature monitoring allows central oversight of truck temperatures and can allow easy verification that proper temperatures were maintained throughout a journey. These records can also be used to defend against claims that good were damaged by heat in transit. This is important for every product, including fresh produce and frozen food, but it is also incredibly important for high-value assets like pharmaceuticals.

A good fleet temperature monitoring system also allows fleet managers to better manage their people, especially when combined with sensors that monitor things like mileage, engine performance, location, and movement. An integrated monitoring system allows fleet managers to know if their vehicles suddenly begin to burn a lot more fuel than normal. That can be a sign that fuel is being lost because of a maintenance problem or even because of theft on the part of a driver. A monitoring system can track duty time of drivers and anticipate upcoming maintenance needs based on mileage or engine hours.

Perhaps just as importantly, real-time monitoring can eliminate countless hours of running around the yard locating trucks and checking their status one at a time. Because trucks are generally only making money when they are hauling a load, good data is necessary for a large fleet to maximize its utilization.

WHY CHOOSE US?

Our fleet temperature monitoring system is an industry leader in temperature monitoring systems and is cold chain custody compliant. It provides real-time temperature monitoring with a check every four seconds in up to four different zones in each truck. No manual inspections are required, and fleet managers can get an automatic alert when temperatures reach a critical level. These continuous temperature checks are also recorded to assure accountability and help maximize the usage of a fleet, and remain in compliance with the FSMA.

Our system is fully integrated with other add-ons and add-ins, including our GPS vehicle tracking device that collects data from a number of available sensors on board a vehicle and then provides that information to a fleet manager’s central monitoring system.

Our wireless temperature monitoring system relies on sensors from Valor, a leading research and design institute known for precise and reliable sensors. Valor designs and manufactures its own sensors; the in-house manufacturing component allows Valor to constantly innovate and keep costs down. Valor has partnered with Geotab, the manufacturer of our GPS-enabled tracking devices. The devices collect data from the vehicle and then our software collects presents this data to fleet managers in a user-friendly and stress-free interface.

Reefer Temperature Monitoring Protects Food & Beverages

Posted on December 22, 2014 | by Devin Johnson

Protect Food And Beverages With Reefer Temperature Monitoring

GoFleet offers reefer temperature monitoring as an add-on to their GPS fleet management solution. Valor Temptrac protects food and beverages by ensuring they are stored at the correct temperatures so they stay good and do not spoil. You will be able to meet the demanding requirements of temperature sensitive deliveries. Frozen goods, fresh produce, beverages and other food items will be delivered safely and accurately every time.

When you deliver food and beverages, you know that there are certain temperature requirements that are required during delivery to ensure that the products do not spoil. If these temperatures are not kept accurately during the entire delivery, the products you are delivering could spoil causing a huge financial loss.

Reefer temperature monitoring improves your company’s accountability. When you know your food and beverage products have remained at the correct temperatures during shipment, you can feel confident about your delivery. Customers will appreciate knowing they can rely on your company for fresh food and beverages.

Using Valor’s reefer temperature monitoring actually saves you time. Stops, manual checks and logging of the trailer’s internal temperature will be eliminated. The trailer temperature will be recorded automatically and sent wirelessly to GoFleet’s fleet management solution.

The reefer temperature monitoring system can monitor up to 4 zones of the refrigerator trailer at one time. The data is transmitted wirelessly and in real-time, every 4 seconds. If the temperature of the trailer zones goes under or over the set temperature limits, you will receive an immediate alert via email or SMS text message.

The reefer temperature monitoring system is fully integrated with GoFleet’s GPS fleet management device. You can track the temperatures of your food and beverages through the life of the shipment and the trend temperatures of your trailer over time from the convenience of your GoFleet fleet management software. You can easily create reports on the temperatures and view historical data through MyGeotab.

If you use refrigerated trailers, GoFleet’s refer temperature monitoring will eliminate spoilage and protect your food during delivery. For more information about how GoFleet can help protect your food and beverage deliveries, Contact Us.

Wireless Temperature Monitoring System For Refrigerator Trailers

Posted on August 28, 2014 | by Devin Johnson

Real-Time Wireless Temperature Monitoring System For Refrigerator Trailers

For business owners who use refrigerated trailers to deliver temperature-sensitive cargo, GoFleet’s wireless temperature monitoring system brings peace of mind. They do not have to worry about perishable items, such as meat, produce, ice cream or pharmaceuticals, arriving at the destination spoiled because the temperature in the trailer was too warm or too cold.

Unlike a temperature recorder, a wireless temperature monitoring system does not just note what happens en route so the data is available if an issue arises. The GoFleet wireless temperature monitoring system uses wireless technology to let you know if there is an issue with the trailer temperature in real-time. The moment the temperature is out of bounds, you can correct the problem before the products go bad. With a temperature recorder, dispatchers do not find out about the problem until after the load is spoiled.

When your business uses GoFleet’s wireless temperature monitoring system, you no longer have to rely on the truck driver to let your dispatchers know if there is a problem with the trailer temperature. They need to focus on getting your load to its final destination. They might miss the warning signs that something is wrong with the refrigeration unit in the trailer. Even if they do notice something is not working properly, they might forget to call dispatch to let them know about the problem. In the meantime, your valuable temperature-sensitive cargo is going bad.

The temperature monitoring system, will let you know the moment the trailer temperature goes out of range. You can arrange for a repairperson to meet your driver en route. The repairman can get your trailer’s refrigeration unit fixed before your cargo is affected.

Making sure your refrigerated trailers maintain the proper temperatures not only saves you money because your cargo does not get spoiled, it keeps customer satisfaction high. Customers are very disappointed with a company when the products they ordered are delivered at the wrong temperature. These types of issues can ruin your business reputation and cause you to lose customers. On the other hand, if you deliver quality products consistently, you will have high customer retention rates, a good reputation and gain more business.