Logmore boosts supply chain quality control using condition monitoring
25/08/2020
Finland-based company Logmore has introduced technology-driven condition monitoring to efficiently improve supply chain quality control and prevent product waste.Logmore is a QR logger start-up that specialises in condition monitoring for logistics, machinery, food and other products.
Businesses need an effective and efficient supply chain in order to succeed in today’s landscape. However, inefficiencies in the supply chain can lead to lost opportunities and even product waste, which calls for better quality control.
In the food industry, for example, handling and transporting perishable goods such as fresh produce requires maintaining climate conditions. Slight changes in temperature and humidity levels can cause spoilage or contamination. Around 1.3 billion tons of food is lost and wasted across the supply chain.
The pharmaceutical industry experiences similar issues. Many of its raw materials and products are also climate sensitive. As such, the industry relies heavily on climate-controlled supply chains or cold chains. Any issues that arise in the transportation of these goods can affect product quality and safety. Yearly, the industry loses around $15 billion (approximately £11.9 billion) because of cold chain issues.
Businesses are keen on improving supply chain quality control to arrest continued losses due to waste. Condition monitoring start-up Logmore aims to contribute to this through its data logging service. Its QR tags can monitor various information about shipments, such as temperature and humidity, allowing companies to immediately identify and resolve issues even while the packages are in transit.
Logmore recently concluded a successful €4.5 million (approximately £4.1 million) Series A funding round led by NordicNinja VC. The funding is earmarked to expand the company’s market in North America, Asia and Europe.
Due to prevailing issues in the supply chain, regulations have been put in place to help companies minimise waste and ensure that their products are safe for consumption. For example, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has established seven major rules for the management of the food supply chain. It includes guidelines that require food to be kept safe from contamination during transportation and distribution.
Despite these guidelines, there are still gaps in the supply chain that expose consumers to health risks.
Considering the cost and health risks that arise from faulty supply chains, companies should look for ways to improve their supply chain visibility and quality control.
Companies can use solutions such as Logmore to track their shipments and ensure product quality throughout the supply chain. Logmore provides QR tags that can be integrated into containers and packages and log various condition data, such as humidity, temperature, shocks, tilt, ambient light exposure and GPS location. Measurements are immediately uploaded into it and updated in Logmore’s cloud-based portal.
USB ports and wireless connectivity are not required to extract data from Logmore’s tags. Users simply need to use a mobile device camera or a QR scanner to scan the dynamic QR code, which contains all the data about the shipment. This is especially useful for air freights, which can limit the types of equipment and sensor that can be used in flight.
Companies can check shipment status, identify issues and make adjustments to avoid a recurrence. The feature also helps companies meet standards that require documentation of shipment status throughout the supply chain.
With its successful funding round, Logmore looks to scale its operations and improve global supply chains.
