Cold chain management

An Industry Insight by Maxim Integrated Products Inc.

Malcolm Mackay looks at cutting-edge solutions for temperature and humidity logging.

ClimaStats is a web-based cold chain management solution for temperature and humidity logging, using devices capable of recording secure electronic data for the entire duration of a process or to accompany temperature sensitive products throughout their cold chain lifecycle. ClimaStats has been designed to offer companies a user-friendly system to control and manage product quality assurance documents, tracking/tracing information and reporting records. The software solution is suitable for customers in the food manufacturing and distribution industry, fresh produce/fruit export markets, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, etc.

The solution takes advantage of industry-leading technology in temperature and humidity logging devices by supporting Maxim Integrated Products’ widely acclaimed iButton product line. These data-logging products include the industry’s smallest, smartest and most robust packages to suit applications between -40°C to +125°C. The modular design allows the system to cater for various needs, no matter how big or small the cold chain management requirements, and is offered in five different flavours.

ClimaStats Micro Device (CSMD): The CSMD package is an entry-level option providing support to download, reconfigure and produce reports and offers users full control over our range of temperature and/or humidity data loggers. The CSMD solution is suitable for single users who require simple configuring and report data, ideally suited for analytical and educational applications. The user can access an executive summary of the mission details; view the data logger readings with time, date, temperature or/and humidity; and view a comprehensive exception report of alarm conditions, as well as a customisable graphing utility with the ability to zoom down to a single temperature point (up to 8000 points). Configurable reports can be generated for the entire record or generated individually for summary, readings, exceptions, graph and even data logger configuration. Reports can be printed or saved as PDF, CSV or exported to word processor or spreadsheet.

ClimaStats Elite (CSE): ClimaStats Elite inherits all the features of CSMD but adds a powerful data management module for the user to manage higher volume logs and data loggers. The data management module in CSE allows users to retain data in its original form and view when required. A user password is required at login and data is stored in a secure database.

ClimaStats Micro View (CSMV): ClimaStats Micro View is more of a data management tool used in conjunction with CSE and CSP deployed editions, allowing the user to view the logger data in both the remote web service database as well as the local machine data base. The CSMV solution is targeted more at management level users who wish to only view the data logger readings and exceptions and to view or print reports.

ClimaStats Professional (CSP): CSP inherits all of the features of the Elite package together with the Security Manager module used to create user groups and assign specific functionality and devices to these users. It is suitable for international trade web service connectivity and corporate groups with separate operating divisions. During transportation and storage it is imperative pharmaceutical, export/import fruit and food companies manage and monitor temperature sensitive valuable products. The CSP package allows for important data to be retrieved, managed and shared with business partners in a proactive nature.

ClimaStats Mobile (CSM): ClimaStats Mobile Edition can run on a handheld PDA and a smart phone running Windows Mobile. CSM supports auto start and stop modes, view readings, executive summary and send data direct to ClimaStats web service via GPRS or WiFi if supported by the handheld. Another handy function is the ability to pair handheld devices with portable Bluetooth printer to print summary mission statistics and or graphs and immediately at receiving bays to accept or reject paper copy of log.

i Button is a registered trademark of Maxim Integrated Products. Windows Mobile is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth Sig, Inc.

Malcolm Mackay has 17 years extensive experience in System Design, Manufacture, Marketing and Sales of Electronic Data Collection Products. He joined Fairbridge Technologies in 2004 as a Product Specialist for Maxim Integrated Products. Fairbridge Technologies is a Preferred Partner of Maxim Integrated Products and focuses on system design and implementation of cold chain management solutions. Fairbridge has cold chain systems deployed in South Africa and internationally in the pharmaceutical distribution, retail, fruit, fish and food export markets.