Blog Post

Temperatures at Origin, In-transit and Destination all Affect Claims – Tommy Oliveri of Western Growers Association

Tom Oliveri • May 09, 2016

There are several lessons.

  1. I encourage you to add pulp temperatures and a check box for the driver to sign off on those temperatures.
  2. Consider a pre-load check list that also includes pulp temperatures for the driver to initial. By taking these measures, it further documents your best practices and indicates to your buyer and carriers alike that you, as a shipper, focus on details to make sure product is always placed in the trailer with optimum intention to have it arrive at contract destination in good order.

How-Temperatures-at-Origin-Can-Influence-the-Outcome-of-a-Claim ?

By Eric Kithinji 03 Aug, 2023
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The importance of digitally transforming the supply chain cannot be overstated. Supply chains are often the most complex part of the company’s operation, which involves multiple parties that handle the product and the data. A large supply chain will have numerous bottlenecks and challenges, it is where digital transformation might be toughest to implement but it is also where most value can be gained by digitization. In the perishable supply chains, it is even more important because inefficiencies in the supply chain can directly affect the product and create waste or unsatisfied consumers. Digitized data can serve to identify and avoid cold chain issues and inefficiency in real time from beginning to end of the supply chain. The all-digital Inteligistics solutions are tailored to the perishable supply chains and provide a comprehensive end-to-end visibility and traceability of the product. The central aspect of the visibility is the Inteligistics’ cloud based InteliView platform. This is where all the digital data related to the product is gathered and analyzed providing the end user actionable data to make better decisions faster thus increasing efficiency, reducing, or eliminating quality issues and improving standards. When workers can make better decisions easier, it increases the value of their time as they are able to do more, and it makes their overall job better which is essential for worker satisfaction and retention. Digital transformation with Inteligistics provides overall increases in efficiency and product quality, reduces waste, increases consumer satisfaction, improves brand awareness, all of which have a substantial impact on the bottom line. Read More
By Eric Kithinji 03 Aug, 2023
Executive Summary The project focuses on quality condition monitoring of perishable produce and food being transported from distribution centers to the retail stores. A major multi-national RETAILER was seeking a solution to provide near real time monitoring through sensor tags at the box/pallet level and containers for transported perishable goods across their Eastern Canada supply chain. (For competitive reasons, RETAIER chooses to remain anonymous at this time). The requested solution includes monitoring temperature over time to ensure quality and optimum shelf life of food goods. RETAILER wants to adopt this type of solution to implement short interval control or early countermeasures to ensure quality and supply chain reliability, reduce shrink and waste, and optimize sales by creating a proof-of-concept for using artificial intelligence (AI) to predict remaining shelf life for each product in the local retail store warehouses. For this test, the RETAILER turned to Inteligistics’ agnostic sensor-based fresh produce solutions which provide an end-to-end supply chain visibility and quality condition monitoring solution for both continental and inter-continental supply chain customers. Inteligistics undertook this project for the RETAILER over a 60-day period and monitored 57 trailer loads of food transported from a distribution center (DC) in Toronto to a dozen different food stores in their supply chain located in Eastern Canada. They successfully monitored the product temperatures, quality and remaining shelf life in the supply chain including the receiving warehouse in each store. Some select boxes were monitored for quality and shelf life through the point of sale by retaining the pallet tag in the selected box. RETAILER was able to control or take early countermeasures to ensure quality and supply chain reliability during these steps in their supply chain and demonstrated the applicability of supply chain temperature monitoring towards developing AI and machine learning (ML) models to predict shelf life, reduce waste and optimize sales. Read More
By Eric Kithinji 03 Aug, 2023
Executive Summary A multi-national RETAILER was seeking a solution to provide near real time monitoring of temperature and quality of fresh produce at box/pallet and container level for transported perishable goods across the United States. The purpose of the RETAILER’s Cold Chain Compliance Project was to provide full visibility of the product status from the grower/supplier to RETAILER Distribution Centers. The remaining pallet level shelf-life of the fresh produce at every major node including Grower’s shipping point and upon arrival at the RETAILER DC is also a deliverable. The visibility was to be accomplished via a comprehensive data platform (“Ecosystem”) that would serve as the data repository and messaging system of information required by RETAILER from origin (Grower’s field) to destination (RETAILER’s Distribution Center). Inteligistics undertook this major project and successfully completed the project to meet RETAILER’s requirements. (For competitive reasons, RETAILER chooses to remain anonymous at this time). The project was focused on condition monitoring of fresh strawberries in the entire supply chain between the field of harvest in Central California and several RETAILER’s distribution centers (DC) located in various parts of the US. Inteligistics provided appropriate cold chain management to protect the quality and freshness of the product through transport from field to processing facility, precooling, cold storage, shipping and transporting to RETAILER DCs across the nation. The requested solution includes monitoring time and temperature to ensure quality and optimum shelf life of fresh produce. RETAILER wanted to implement short interval control or early countermeasures to ensure quality and supply chain reliability. For this test, the RETAILER turned to Inteligistics’ agnostic sensor-based fresh produce solutions which provide an end-to- end supply chain visibility, quality condition monitoring, and remaining shelf-life predictability solution for both continental and inter-continental supply chain customers. Inteligistics undertook this project for the RETAILER over a 60-day period and monitored 72 trailer loads of strawberries distributed from field to four different distribution centers (DC) in different regions of the United States. Product temperatures, quality, and the remaining shelf life at several Nodes in the supply chain including the receiving docks at each DC were successfully monitored. RETAILER and Grower were able to control and take early countermeasures to ensure quality and supply chain reliability during these steps in their supply chain and demonstrated the applicability of supply chain temperature monitoring towards developing AI and machine learning (ML) models to predict shelf life. This information enables RETAILER to Use “First Expire, First Out” Models that reduce waste and optimize sales. Read More
By Eric Kithinji 03 Aug, 2023
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY An estimated 30-40% of fresh produce is lost post-harvest, most expiring before it can be sold or consumed. Environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity from the time of harvest to cooling and shipping, during transport, storage and throughout the supply chain, contribute to accelerated perishable product degradation. Yet legacy inventory management systems which employ a First-In, First-Out (FIFO) methodology, rely on a projected expiration date stamped during harvest or packing, or at best employ superficial temperature tracking in the truck that brings the product to them, fail to account for actual products’ experience and condition, resulting in lost sales opportunities and increased food waste. The digital transformation of the perishable supply chain now allows a combination of off-the- shelf sensors, artificial intelligence (AI) generated algorithms and machine learning (ML) to accurately predict remaining shelf-life based upon the conditions the product has experienced from field to final distribution point. These algorithms have been developed by Inteligistics ROI and allow for a new, First Expire, First Out (FEFO) model that optimizes perishable inventory to maximize revenue, while reducing waste, discounting and poor consumer experiences for retail grocery and related industries. Read More
By Eric Kithinji 09 Jun, 2023
In the fresh produce supply chain, solving problems before they happen is key — with positive financial and quality implications as well as a strong sustainability upside.... Read More at https://www.thepacker.com/news/industry/how-fresh-del-monte-using-data-drive-sustainability?mkt_tok=ODQzLVlHQi03OTMAAAGMDArZgyQGMdZqdYX-zq2AD-uhRowc462pgJ8rUf1MD0ajR_dqUd4TekkbDPIvDb6RKtFt2pB3tI9jTA3mCnemgsBJxXg9ElnF6zyo9tNWG08LFKH-Ww
By Eric Kithinji 24 May, 2023
Salinas, CA (May 22, 2023) On November 7, 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent a shot across the bow of the fresh foods supply chain when it published the final version of the Food Traceability Rule, also known as FSMA 204. While the rule filled critical traceability gaps in the supply chain by adding requirements for both the first mile (grower to shipper) and last mile (warehouse to store/restaurant), the scramble to fulfill these new requirements and getting knowledgeable guidance has left the industry searching for answers and efficient solutions. Inteligistics is now offering tailored consulting services to help companies identify processes and methods to address this industry dilemma. The intent of FSMA 204, which becomes effective on January 20, 2026, is to allow regulators to identify the source and extent of foodborne illness outbreaks faster to alert the public and avoid wide-spread public health issues. FSMA 204 requires tracing each carton back to the farm, ranch or lot and reporting the information to FDA regulators within 24 hours. Most companies could gather and report the information today at the pallet level, but once a pallet is broken down and distributed, the detailed information is lost. “FSMA 204 doesn’t impose specific requirements on growers such as carton level labeling or electronic records, but as retailers look for their own compliance solutions, they are likely to need participation from their suppliers,” said Rao Mandava, Inteligistics CEO and Chairman. “This will require companies throughout the fresh foods supply chain to work together to develop solutions that work for all parties. It also presents the opportunity for companies to use supply chain digital data systems to gain additional efficiencies, reduce costs and increase revenues. The results from using these advanced technology processes can offset the cost of the regulatory requirements, and can result in a stronger partnership with your trading partners and a profitable return for all.” “Companies must comply with FSMA 204, but they have a choice whether to approach this as a regulatory compliance expense, or as supply chain automation investment with a net bottom line benefit,” said Lawrence Mallia, Inteligistics VP, Digital Transformation. “Based on years of experience working with retailers and suppliers, Inteligistics offers proven advanced technology applications to the stakeholders”. “The ultimate benefit comes from a comprehensive, end-to-end data platform that includes digital data collection and reporting. This information is then applied to advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) for efficiency improvements in systems such as cooling assets, cold storage warehouses, retailer inventory picking systems, and even predictive shelf life,” said Mandava. “The key to a successful digital transformation is planning and implementation, including development of a digital twin or parallel system to identify process issues and fine-tune the approach before full implementation,” added Mallia. “We have been advising our clients for years, and now that retailers and suppliers face the uncertainty of complying with FSMA 204, we are offering our consulting services to help them identify and deploy the ‘right’ solution for their company.” For more information Contact Us
By Eric Kithinji 24 Apr, 2023
InteliView is a cloud-based, flexible and customizable digital information hub that consolidates data from a variety of IoT and off-the-shelf scanners and sensors, certain APIs and Mobile apps, and ERP, WMS and other data sources to enable companies to make sense of their data in real-time and take action. First-mile to last mile data consolidation, monitoring and reporting provides actionable information to growers, and retailers. Read more..
20 Mar, 2023
Read More: https://www.producebluebook.com/2023/03/14/inteligistics-expands-leadership-with-two-promotions/
By Greg Johnson 09 Feb, 2023
An example of an InteliView dashboard. (photos courtesy Inteligistics)
By THE PACKER STAFF 05 Jan, 2023
Monitoring and responding to deviations in the cold chain as perishable products go from the field or source to consumers has been demonstrated to be the single greatest factor in ensuring product quality and predicting shelf life, says Inteligistics. The company has announced a new upgrade to its platform that incorporates real-time data from cellular temperature trackers made by Emerson, Delta Trak, Cydeance and others. “We are now able to take the raw data from these wireless sensors that are used throughout cold chain operations and bring this data into our InteliView platform and dashboard,” Rao Mandava, Inteligistics chairman and president, said in a news release. “Combined with digital data collected throughout production and cold storage to the point of shipping, and presented on our cloud-based Inteliview platform, managers can run detailed reports to measure KPIs and highlight and remedy anomalies. “From pharmaceuticals to produce, the shelf life and ROI implications are significant,” Mandava continued. “For example, a recent test of over 2,000 loads of avocados was able to accurately predict shelf life based on time and temperature during transit.” Inteligistics has been bringing end-to-end solutions to monitor and improve efficiency for logistics, supply chain and cold chain management for companies producing and selling perishable products for over a decade, according to the release. Beyond transit temperature and time, Inteligistics uses geo-fences to trigger arrival and departure of pallets, track holding times and inform stakeholders about the load location and status in the supply chain. Integrated with the time and temperature data, this knowledge can lead to significant cost savings, operational improvements and increased product sales, the company said. InteliView is the information hub that takes data from a variety of IoT and off-the-shelf scanners and sensors, certain APIs and mobile apps, and enables companies to make sense of their data in real time and to take action that results in optimizing supply chain and cold chain efficiency, enhancing product quality and increasing profitability, according to the release. The digital data of InteliView can then be leveraged to apply advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning for efficiency improvements, shelf-life analysis and predictability, sustainability, waste reduction and traceability. “End-to-end visibility and traceability affects more than food safety,” Dennis Donohue, past president Royal Rose LLC and current executive director of Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology, said in the release. “Continuous tracking of product temperature and time provides companies with critical information they can use to maintain product quality and predict shelf life. This can result in decreased food waste, increased volumes of saleable product, and revenue optimization opportunities for all entities along the supply chain.”
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