Bioscience boost from DHL
DHL has developed a dynamic system for the pharmaceutical industry, in partnership with Microlise and AeroScout, which enables real-time monitoring of product shipment temperatures throughout an extended supply chain using RFID sensors.
The companies joined with a leading healthcare company to develop a system that will help customers better meet the industry’s temperature compliance regulations. Full visibility of shipment location and temperature throughout the supply chain has been made possible through a web browser linked to Microlise’s Transport Management Centre (TMC) software.
TMC shows vehicle position while AeroScout active RFID tags, attached to shipments inside the load compartment, indicate temperature.
The system has been fitted in trailers from Mueller Transporte, a Vienna-based specialist in temperature-controlled transport, and is used to carry bioscience products that need to be stored at between 2 and 8degC. It is being tested initially between Belgium and a DHL warehouse in Sweden.
The RFID tags continuously monitor and transmit the load’s temperature to a wi-fi reader connected to the Microlise tracking unit installed in the vehicle. This unit sends temperature and vehicle location data, using a GPS device that transmits data via GPRS to a central server provided by Microlise.
During the journey, the system monitors the temperature of the shipment against customer-defined rules. If the shipment undergoes a change in temperature, an SMS or email alert message is automatically generated so appropriate action can be taken.
A benefit of the RFID tags is that the shipment/pallet location and temperature can continue to be monitored at the DC after delivery.
