Dataloggers: Monitor Temperature & Humidity Everywhere Your Cargo Goes

As temperature sensitive products like pharmaceuticals move through complex supply chains, monitoring temperature and humidity is critical to maintaining product quality. Data logging provides more than visibility into current conditions — it helps verify product integrity upon arrival by capturing temperature and humidity data throughout the journey.  

In some industries, maintaining a proper transport environment is only part of the equation. Shippers may also need reliable documentation to prove compliance with industry regulations or customer requirements.

What is a temperature datalogger?

A temperature datalogger is an electronic device that continuously measures and records temperature over time. Where moisture matters, dataloggers can also monitor proper humidity levels. Rather than relying on a single reading, dataloggers keep a historical record of conditions during shipment, storage, and production. 

Temperature and humidity dataloggers provide critical information  

With date-and time-stamped records and nonvolatile memory, temperature loggers provide a reliable history of the conditions products experience during transportation, storage, and processing. That record can provide valuable evidence that proper conditions were maintained throughout the cold chain.

Depending on the application, the system can be designed with sensors that also monitor humidity and record digital inputs; for example, when an operator makes setting adjustments in response to real-time notifications. 

The recorded information is typically stored in nonvolatile flash memory, which means the data remains available even if the unit loses power.

Dataloggers provide evidence of the correct temperatures for every trip. All data is stored with a date/time stamp will not be lost if the power supply is disconnected. The real-time clock is powered by an internal backup battery.

How does a temperature datalogger work?

When you look for dataloggers, you can find standalone units or those featuring multiple channels. Many standalone units run on battery power, making it possible for them to record parameters while they are in transit and over extended periods. 

Once the available memory is filled, new data overwrites the oldest information. This provides continuous recording without requiring frequent manual data management.

Users can download the information from the dataloggers at the end of each transport.  

Why is data logging important?

A datalogger creates evidence that required temperature conditions were maintained.

For temperature-sensitive products, this documentation can be extremely important. A shipment may arrive at its destination with no obvious indication that it experienced a temperature excursion. A documented temperature/humidity history provides a much clearer picture of what happened during transportation.

Automated, accurate recordkeeping supports quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and customer confidence. And the data is invaluable when quality issues lead to formal investigations.  

Why monitor temperature at multiple points?

Temperature can vary considerably inside containers, truck/trailers, warehouses, and processing facilities. Monitoring multiple locations gives operators a more complete understanding of actual conditions, going beyond the insights gained from a single sensor.

Using multiple loggers provides greater confidence that products are being kept within required norms, no matter where they are placed in the truck or storage facility.  

How are dataloggers used in the pharma industry?

Process validation is crucial for drug manufacturers, so they have a significant need for solutions that can gather and preserve data.

Data logging in pharma is becoming pervasive throughout manufacturing processes to monitor and log critical parameters for factors such as liquid levels, pH, equipment vibration, blend uniformity, and operator activity. 

What other industries use dataloggers during transport?

Dataloggers for transport are used by many industries, including these: 

• Medical devices: Sensitive, high-value devices such as MRIs require consistent temperature and humidity management throughout production and delivery. 
• Food and beverage: Fresh fruits, vegetables, and beverages, including wine and beer, are susceptible to spoilage when exposed to temperatures that are either too warm or too cold. To support quality upon delivery, dataloggers can be installed in refrigerated containers.