Ecocool now offers a barcode that provides information about the temperature of packaged, temperature-sensitive goods. As a distribution partner of Varcode, the Bremerhaven-based company offers the „Freshcode“ solution, a chemical temperature indicator that works with barcode technology.
The product is primarily intended for the food and pharmaceutical industries. With Freshcode it becomes possible to ensure that target temperatures are maintained over the entire Supply chain across the entire packaging. The „centrepiece“ of the application is the label that can be applied to cardboard boxes or individual packaging. Temperature indicator. Unlike similar solutions, the indicator does not change colour when the temperature changes, but instead produces a different colour on the basis of chemical processes. Barcode than in the initial state.
Smartphone app for data analysis
The Freshcode information is read out with Barcode scanners or conventional smartphones, on which the Freshcode app was installed. The Measurement results are then synchronised with individually defined target temperature ranges. With a catchy Traffic light colour system the results are visualised. If the traffic light is green, everything is OK. Yellow stands for minor deviations, red means that immediate action is required because a serious temperature deviation has occurred. Measures can then be initiated immediately to protect the goods and remove them from the supply chain if necessary.
To ensure that the information is accessible at all times, it is sent to a Cloud-based database system is sent. Temperature information, geo-coordinates and the date and time are stored. In addition, consignment information such as a delivery note barcode can be combined with the Freshcode. In this way, the goods delivered to the recipient can be tracked seamlessly.
Favourable solution for online shippers
„The Freshcode is a highly efficient and at the same time economical solution for the Food and pharmaceutical supply chain“, emphasises Ecocool Managing Director Dr Florian Siedenburg, adding: „The indicator itself can be used universally and is priced at the same level as conventional colour indicators. A unit price of less than one euro can be realised for larger quantities, which makes it suitable for many applications in temperature-sensitive transport.“
In addition to the Food industry and online grocery mail order companies, the Managing Director of the company, which was founded in 1999, has his sights set primarily on the pharmaceutical industry as a target group for Freshcode: „In the Pharmaceutical logistics There are currently still many areas in which expensive data loggers are not used for cost reasons. I'm thinking of online pharmacies or shipping from wholesalers to pharmacies.“
