Data Logging in the Supply Chain – ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

This is a huge improvement on data logging systems of the past, when logging was done physically and was therefore an expensive exercise. As a result, it enables better co-operation between manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers for improved inventory quality management by allowing each party to access details about the environmental data at each step of the supply chain whenever required.

With remote data collection time intervals for collecting data can be as frequent or as infrequent as needed—and with no chance of human error, the data is therefore more accurate stored and managed on an external Cloud platform. This external storage model eradicates the need for a company’s own IT team to accommodate and manage the data, yielding cost savings across the business.

There are obvious benefits but also some considerations to bear in mind—namely, the reliability of the devices, how they will be powered, data security, and accessibility of the data once you have captured it. With modern WiFi sensors being designed to run for long periods with little or no human supervision, it is essential to work with a trusted supplier who stands by their products with a warranty.

In some cases, remote data logging equipment can be expensive, especially when used for smaller tasks. Therefore it is important that your supplier can cater for your needs, no matter how large or small your operation is. Being able to scale the amount of sensors up without issue, depending on your project, and peaks in your business and to realise a fully integrated system, is a huge advantage.

It is now easier than ever to implement more flexible and “user-defined” logging systems, which is why some users are tempted to opt for very complex bespoke systems. However, this approach often has some significant disadvantages.

First and foremost proprietary systems can be very limiting. By being tied into the provider’s dedicated standard, customers will usually only be able to choose from a limited range of niche sensor types. This can result in unplanned complications, time-consuming problem-solving and unnecessary expenditure.

The alternative to sensors based on proprietary standards is to use sensors that make use of open standards like WiFi.

In some sectors there is still some resistance to the use of WiFi for wireless connectivity and in the past, security concerns have made people wary of using WiFi where critical data is being transmitted. However, as WiFi security systems have evolved over the years, so those security concerns have been addressed and today WiFi provides a highly robust and secure connection for almost every application.

When considering monitoring applications, it is clearly advantageous to make use of a WiFi infrastructure which is already in place, or if it is not, one which will be cheap to install using a wide choice of off-the-shelf hardware.

Although WiFi enabled environmental monitoring may not come as part of a fully managed service, being an open standard does give far more control to the users. By using their own infrastructure, and selecting their own sensors, users are able to specify the exact system that meets their needs. It also provides opportunities to modify, enhance and adjust the settings of the products to allow for even more fine-tuning of the system.

Finding the Right Solution

For some organizations, the advantages of a fully managed system will continue to outweigh the limitations of a proprietary wireless system. However, there is no doubt that using WiFi sensors can deliver significant benefits for a lower investment, with greater flexibility and with high levels of security, allowing organisations to be far more dynamic when responding to their monitoring needs.