California-based CalAmp has unveiled a single-use smart device that can monitor temperatures as low as -20˚C for tracking Covid-19 vaccines and other perishables.

The SC1302 provides granular visibility for the safe and efficient transport of Covid-19 vaccines and other pharmaceuticals and perishables, as well as various electronics and high-value shipments. The environmental sensor is commercially available, and first shipments are anticipated in the first half of this year.

The sensor integrates with CalAmp’s SC iOn Supply Chain Visibility software to empower real-time, end-to-end monitoring of shipments through a web interface. Third-party logistics providers (3PLs) and private fleet operators can monitor environmental conditions of perishable and environmentally-sensitive vital shipments from the minute they leave the manufacturer through multi-modal touchpoints via land, sea and air until they arrive at their final destinations.

Technical users can directly integrate the sensor data into their own software via standard APIs and manage the device through the CalAmp Telematic Cloud platform.

SC iOn includes wireless sensors and other reusable and single-use devices that can be affixed to assets to track and collect critical data, such as temperature, light, shock, vibration and location throughout the shipment journey. If a shipment is in flight or out of cellular coverage, the sensors will continue to log the environmental data and automatically synchronise with CalAmp’s fixed and mobile hubs once back in range to support chain of custody documentation and environmental reporting.

The end-to-end supply chain offering facilitates compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and Good Distribution Practice (GDP) requirements and provides control over shipment quality and integrity.

The environmental sensor meets the technological needs of shipping refrigerated pharmaceuticals. CalAmp’s customers who have tested and are deploying the sensor have praised its ease of use, security, wide cellular range and battery life, which is particularly beneficial for those transporting assets across long distances such as by sea.

The end-to-end cold chain product provides:

• Reporting and data analytics: Complete logging of data to help document chain of custody in compliance with FSMA and GDP requirements, in addition to auto-synchronisation of temperature logs with the hub to prove if shipment parameters were violated or remained within approved ranges.
• Critical alerts and notifications: Immediate web-based and mobile alerts when a shipment exceeds a predetermined temperature range or goes out of the authorised shipping zone, enabling supply chain operators to take corrective action to reduce spoilage and loss.
• Near real-time location tracking: CalAmp’s smart sensors and disposable devices use GPS tracking to provide near real-time delivery estimates, current location and progress reports even when cargo is in the hands of a third-party provider.
• Geofencing and route fencing: Alerts notify users if the cargo deviates from the planned route or strays from authorised waypoints.
• Stationary and movement detection: Detection of when a shipment is moving or stalled, which is especially important when navigating high risk areas in route between waypoints.
• Tracking all modes of global transportation: This includes by land, sea and air.
• API integration: CalAmp integrates with electronic data interchange (EDI) or enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems to facilitate information sharing, collaboration and transparency along the entire cold chain and with key stakeholders.
• External sharing of critical sensor readings and history: A device’s sensory reading, location and historical data can be shared with other parties. For example, a warehouse worker in a third-party distribution centre can quickly access the device’s information without needing a login to CalAmp’s application to determine if it is safe to open the cargo.

“We developed supply chain visibility that offers 3PLs and private fleet operators the ability to effectively and efficiently transport life-saving vaccines and other valuable assets,” said Jeff Clark, senior vice president for CalAmp. “Delivery of these shipments can have a massive impact on restoring public health, the flow of critical commerce and other aspects of our day-to-day lives.”

Headquartered in Irvine, California, CalAmp has been publicly traded since 1983. It has 22 million products installed and over 1.3 million software and services subscribers worldwide.