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Sensitech’s RFID Cold Chain Solution
Sensitech manufactures the hardware used in the PTS system. This includes TempTale tags, gateways (interrogators that connect to a PC through an Ethernet link) and repeaters, which are also interrogators but do not connect directly to a PC. Each facility where produce is tracked needs one gateway within read range (300 feet) of at least one repeater.
Repeaters are placed at the dock doors and throughout each facility. Each repeater has a 300-foot range, both for reading TempTale tags and relaying this information to other repeaters. Each repeater reads any TempTale tags within its range. It then sends this RFID data, along with a unique ID referencing its location, to the gateway, via a mesh network of other repeaters. The gateways can also read TempTale tags within a range of 300 feet.
The gateway is linked, via a PC, to a Windows-based remote-site server (RSS) at each facility. RSS is a software agent that downloads and forwards the data to a central repository, via a secure network connection. Users install the system wherever in the cold chain they want to gather temperature data. The system could be used for tracking one segment of a perishable goods' journey, such as from a processing plant or farm to a distribution center, or between a retail distribution center and retail locations. Or it could track every leg, enabling a complete history and the most visibility into the product quality. The RSS also monitors the health and readiness of the repeaters and gateway.
The central repository that collects the data from all of the RSSs is Sensitech's ColdChain Visibility Server, a Web-based hosted database application written on Microsoft's .NET platform. The application can be used by all participating cold chain partners. Access to the application and its data is established through passwords. Temperature-related alerts can be dispatched to cold chain partners via e-mail, or partners can query the data on an ad hoc basis.
The ColdChain Visibility Server is used to generate reports detailing the temperature histories. Sensitech also offers professional services to help partners analyze their data and draw conclusions about the efficiencies of their cold chain management processes.
Retailers are the most likely cold chain companies to purchase the PTS system. They could pick up the entire cost or negotiate with their cold chain partners to share the expense. Sensitech customers could even charge their supply partners for access to their shipment data. Sensitech claims that it would cost a retailer approximately $600,000 to deploy the PTS system across 500 stores and three DCs that handle 10,000 shipments per year. Based on projections, they would save $250,000 per store annually, through reduced shrink.
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Repeaters are placed at the dock doors and throughout each facility. Each repeater has a 300-foot range, both for reading TempTale tags and relaying this information to other repeaters. Each repeater reads any TempTale tags within its range. It then sends this RFID data, along with a unique ID referencing its location, to the gateway, via a mesh network of other repeaters. The gateways can also read TempTale tags within a range of 300 feet.
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| Repeaters are placed at the dock doors and throughout each facility. |
The central repository that collects the data from all of the RSSs is Sensitech's ColdChain Visibility Server, a Web-based hosted database application written on Microsoft's .NET platform. The application can be used by all participating cold chain partners. Access to the application and its data is established through passwords. Temperature-related alerts can be dispatched to cold chain partners via e-mail, or partners can query the data on an ad hoc basis.
The ColdChain Visibility Server is used to generate reports detailing the temperature histories. Sensitech also offers professional services to help partners analyze their data and draw conclusions about the efficiencies of their cold chain management processes.
Retailers are the most likely cold chain companies to purchase the PTS system. They could pick up the entire cost or negotiate with their cold chain partners to share the expense. Sensitech customers could even charge their supply partners for access to their shipment data. Sensitech claims that it would cost a retailer approximately $600,000 to deploy the PTS system across 500 stores and three DCs that handle 10,000 shipments per year. Based on projections, they would save $250,000 per store annually, through reduced shrink.
