18 Product Development
Fresh as a daisy with wireless W
IRELESS ALARM SYSTEMS provide management control for temperature sensitive products
at floral distributor
New wireless technology is being used by a floral distributor to maintain and monitor temperature levels of perishable products at its UK site. MM Flowers supplies fresh cut flowers to a selection of well-known British retailers, including products transported from across Europe and as far afield as Kenya, South Africa and Colombia. The company recently invested in a new automated, wireless temperature monitoring system to ensure that temperatures are maintained at optimum levels. The systems are installed in all areas from goods in through to despatch.
“Part of a flower’s life expectancy is measured in degree hours, so fluctuations in time or temperature can have a detrimental effect on the quality, appearance or longevity of the final product,” explains Shaun Hayden, senior operations manager at MM Flowers. “To maintain a high quality product and ensure it arrives in store with the longest possible shelf life, it’s essential that we control and monitor temperature at all stages of the production and delivery process.”
The new system was developed by temperature monitoring specialist Abacus Guardian which specialises in wireless systems.
Prior to installing the system, the operations department was monitoring the entire site by conducting manual area walk tests with hand held air temperature probes.
The process had to be repeated three times a day, with each test taking around thirty minutes.
The new system works wirelessly to monitor the temperature of goods both in transit and in warehouses, which eliminates the need for manual recording.
“This saves time and labour, as well as improving the reliability of temperature records,” adds Mr Hayden. “Because the system works in real time, administrators are immediately made aware if
temperatures rise above or drop below the set parameters.”
The monitoring system can provide data 24/7, enabling managers to identify trends rather than relying on spot analysis.
The company is now also able to set alarm thresholds. The data generated has helped inform business decisions and expenditure such as replacing manual doors in cold storage areas with automatic ones, ensuring that temperature stays at a controlled level. Since installing the system, the company has been able to prevent several situations where stock could possibly have
been lost, as senior technical manager Mark Bunting explains. “On one occasion recently, the systems in our vase life sampling rooms malfunctioned and went into heat mode, which could have deteriorated the product.
“This room carries a large amount of stock, and relies on a set temperature/ humidity range to evaluate performance 365 days a year worth thousands of pounds.
“However, the alarms were triggered and the samples and evaluation data were saved, avoiding major interruptions to customer service and preventing significant cash loss.”
down the drain Money went
went beserk The boss
Dave was gutted
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