How Cold Chain Monitoring Can Revolutionize Your Supply Chain?

If you weren’t already aware, IoT (Internet of Things) devices are currently revolutionizing a great number of industries. IoT devices for supply chains are becoming increasingly popular for a number of reasons.

One area where IoT devices can make a difference is in cold chain monitoring. Supply chain management and logistics for chilled or frozen products require more attention that many other industries.

So how can IoT cold chain monitoring devices help with stock management? Read on to find out.

What is Cold Chain Management?

Simply put, cold chain management is the process of transporting and supplying products that must be kept at low temperatures. Failing to do so results in spoiled food and product waste.

Therefore, efficient stock management throughout the supply chain is vital. This includes cargo shipping, storage, and processing.

How can IoT Devices Help?

IoT devices connect to the internet and offer GPS tracking and asset monitoring. Their function varies depending on their application, but they’re as versatile as the industries into which they have been integrated.

Eelinktech produces GPS and IoT tracking devices specifically for cold chain management. Integrating them into your supply chain gives you much greater control over your stock and assets, and, importantly, allows you to monitor them from a central location via the cloud.

Some examples of their applications include:

Asset tracking tags

Inventory management requires accurate asset tracking. This is true for all chilled and frozen products, but is particularly important for high-value stock such as vaccines.

Asset tracking tags take a number of forms. Some contain GPS tracking devices that offer real-time cargo tracking. Others use passive RFID tags that indicate when a product passes through a sensor. Whichever type you choose, you can access the data using cloud-based solutions, which allows you to monitor all stock from a central location.

Importantly, this gives you much greater control over a wider range of stock. Rather than monitoring by hand, which is susceptible to human error and miscounts, asset tracking tags provide accurate and valuable data about valuable stock.

Temperature monitoring devices

It’s no secret that chilled and frozen products need to remain in this state throughout shipping and storage. While some products can withstand a slight variation in temperature, others, such as vaccines, must be kept at a constant temperature.

In the past, temperature was monitored simply using thermometers in various forms. However, using temperature monitoring devices gives you real-time accurate data about the exact temperature of your stock.

These devices are able to provide temperature and humidity warnings based on even the most minor changes. This information is uploaded to the cloud in real time so you can track any changes from a central location. For high-value assets, this gives you the earliest warning possible about any issues.

GPS container tracking

Asset tracking doesn’t just have to be based on individual containers or pallets. If you want to track a whole container, for example, you need a different solution.

That’s exactly what GPS container trackers are for. These IoT devices for supply chain management allow you to track the exact location of containers while in transport. Not only can you tell where they are, but you also know when they stop and for how long.

As with asset tracking devices, having access to and control over this kind of data provides you with much more accurate logistic monitoring. Connecting containers to a wider cloud-based information system removes any human error from location monitoring.

Impact detection devices

While it’s fair to assume that you don’t want any stock damaged, it’s much more important for fragile stock. Impact detection devices use accelerometers, the same as those found in smart phones, to track any sudden falls or impact.

Of course, this kind of data is vital for cold chain management because it lets you know whether your stock will arrive in the right condition. For high-value stock, this can be a difference you can’t overlook.

In the past, you’d typically have to unpack stock to know whether it was damaged. However, using impact detection devices means you receive a warning if anything happens along the supply chain. You’ll know where it happened, when, and can quickly decide what to do.

Eelink IoT Devices

Eelink is an industry leader in GPS and IoT tracking devices for cold chain management. While this has always been an important industry, it’s more important than ever now thanks to the rollout of essential vaccines.

Our devices are specifically designed for use in cold chain management. Integrating supply chain and cold chain connected devices gives you ultimate control over your assets at every stage.

Among the range of features we build into our devices are:

Waterproofing

It’s no secret that cold chain management requires unique features. One such example is waterproofing. Our GPS and IoT devices all come with IP67 waterproofing, meaning they can be completely submerged without any damage. When it comes to monitoring your assets, this is exactly what you need.

Long batter life

A key to proper IoT devices is long battery life. For example, our battery powered GPS trackers are built to last, giving you peace of mind that you’ll have accurate asset tracking for the entire journey.

Ease of use

Many of our GPS and IoT devices for cold chain monitoring are incredibly easy to install. You’ll usually simply need to secure the device inside a carton or container. What’s more, they’re easy to maintain and built to last so there shouldn’t be any issues during transport.

Conclusion

Eelink is a leading IoT device manufacturer specializing in cold chain monitoring. Integrating our devices into your supply chain gives you superior asset management and tracking throughout the entire process.

Importantly, these devices are suitable for a wide range of applications, from food transport and storage to vaccine and medicine management. Their versatility is almost unmatched, and gives you complete control.

Contact us for more information and to see how our IoT devices can improve your supply chain management.