Monitoring the conditions of products during storage and shipment has become crucial to ensure their quality and integrity. Various technologies are currently in use for this purpose, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Let's take a look at the main solutions on the market, with a focus on the innovative Halog solution
USB Devices: Historically, USB devices have been widely used to monitor a variety of conditions such as temperature, humidity, and shocks during the transport of goods. However, these devices have numerous drawbacks. For example, they must be physically retrieved to transfer data and pose a significant cybersecurity risk as they can easily spread malware if connected to unsecured computers.
Dynamic QR Codes on E-Ink Surfaces: This solution offers significant advantages over USB devices, as it does not require additional infrastructure and can be read by any smartphone with a camera. However, while it solves some security issues, QR codes do not provide real-time data and require manual scanning at each checkpoint and you can't store many informations in a single QR Code.
NFC (Near Field Communication): NFC technology offers ultra-secure wireless transmissions and is commonly used in mobile payments. However, NFC devices need to be read from a very close distance, limiting their practicality in some logistical monitoring situations.
Bluetooth: Bluetooth data loggers are small, inexpensive, and easy to deploy. They can be read by smartphones and offer a range of up to 100 feet, although obstacles such as walls can limit their effectiveness. However, they require the installation of a specific app on each device used to read the data.
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification): RFID is a technology that uses radio waves to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects. RFID systems can be either active or passive. Active tags have their own power source and can transmit signals over long distances, while passive tags do not have a battery and are activated by the signal from an RFID reader.
Among emerging new technologies, the Halog solution stands out for its advanced and innovative capabilities. Using a combination of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, Halog offers continuous, real-time monitoring of product conditions inside barrier bags without the need to open the packaging. This provides a significant advantage over traditional technologies and RFID solutions.
While traditional solutions like USB devices, QR codes, and RFID have dominated the market for monitoring transport and storage conditions, the Halog solution represents a true revolution. Thanks to the combination of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, Halog offers continuous, precise, and real-time monitoring of product conditions, directly inside barrier bags. This not only enhances product safety and integrity but also allows for timely intervention in case of deviations from optimal conditions.