Cold Chain Logistics Services
Optimizing mobility for ultimate productivity in cold environments.
Optimal Productivity for Cold Chain Logistics
Supply chain workers often use bulky barcode scanners that can sometimes be awkward to operate. By replacing traditional pistol-grip scanners with ProGlove’s wearable barcode scanners, your operators are able to work hands-free and improve speed and productivity.
ProGlove wearable scanners are the size of a matchbox and are worn with a special glove or wrap cuff. Workers no longer have to pick up and put down a handheld scanner every time they scan an item, box, or a pallet. With ProGlove wearable scanners, workers hands are free to continue to move materials without stopping as scanning is triggered by a simple hand gesture or movement. ProGlove scanners are 10 times lighter than traditional scanners so tasks are performed comfortably and quickly, leading to better ergonomics and worker satisfaction.
Can Your Mobility Solutions Weather the Cold?
Hot Tips for Profitable Cold Chain Logistics.
Cold Chain Needs
Devices built for temperature -controlled environments can’t maintain their optimal functionality when placed in freezing environments—even for just a short period of time. Refrigeration units and freezers wreak havoc on every component of these devices from casing to internal circuitry.
Frost
- Decreases visibility on LCD screens
- Causes device keys to stick
- Cracks plastic casings
Condensation
- Fogs LCD screens
- Internally corrodes components
- Short-circuits devices
Cold
- Prevents batteries from releasing energy
- Slows internal processors
- Interferes with RF signals
These environments require specialized equipment and technology to help ensure products are safe during every step of the process.
Peak Technologies Mobility Solutions Designed for Cold Chain
Having the right cold supply chain solution for your logistics needs is essential; Peak Technologies can help your enterprise:
Streamline Inventory Handling
Move more products safely and efficiently through the supply chain allowing your operation to maximize fulfillment.
Increase Productivity
Work more efficiently despite gloved hands with ergonomically designed devices and wireless networking that can perform despite cold temperature ranges.Â
Increase
Accuracy
Cold chain devices remove barriers to accuracy such as sticky keys, foggy screens and labels that won’t scan or stick.
Reduce
Downtime
Eliminate the challenges common to standard devices such as condensation, device failure, and dropped, slow or misaligned wireless signals.
Here are the different services we offer:
Cold Chain Data Collection
Manufacturers have developed devices that have the same reliability and functionality in cold environments as their standard model counterparts. When selecting the optimal devices for your application, it’s important to consider the amount of exposure to extreme cold conditions, and the frequency of exposure.
Mobile Computers
Unless mobile computers, barcode readers and wireless networking equipment have been designed with features required specifically for use in cold environments, the level of their reliability will fall right along with the temperatures.
Cold air, frost and condensation create a specific challenge for rugged mobile computing equipment. The insulation used to keep refrigerated and frozen storage areas cold also poses problems when it comes to wireless connectivity and battery life. Today’s cold storage mobile computers are built not only to withstand prolonged use in the cold, with robust battery life, but more importantly, are designed for transitioning between cold and warm locations.
Low temperatures don’t have to mean reduced reliability and productivity. Peak can offer mobile computing solutions for cold-temperature environments such as cold storage, cold storage environments, freezers, ski resorts and other outdoor recreation, and harsh temperature/year-round field service.
Zebra MC9300 Freezer
Zebra TC8300 Freezer
Honeywell CK65
Honeywell CN80
Zebra Freezer-Grade MC9300 Mobile Computer
- Designed for the most extreme environments—subzero cold to exposure to splashing liquids, even environments with hazardous materials
- Enterprise Class Android O with support through OS Q
- New expanded range imager captures barcodes from as close as 3 inches up to 70 feet
- Larger advanced touch screens—works when wet with a stylus or finger, even with gloves
- Higher capacity batteries rated for sub-zero temperatures for longer run times on a single charge
- Increased WiFi range, speed and security—802.11ac/w
Honeywell Freezer-Grade CK65 Mobile Computer
- Designed for warehouses, manufacturing, cold storage up to -30°C (-22°F)
- 31% thinner and lighter than leading devices in the ultra-rugged class, designed for the most demanding environments—subzero cold to extreme heat and exposure to splashing liquids as well as hazardous conditions where non-incendive devices are a requirement
- Faster chipset with Enterprise Class Android, with the longest lifecycle in the industry— support from Android O through Android R, plus additional security updates after Google’s last patch
- EX25 Near/Far High-Performance 1D / 2D imager, scans as close as 6 inches up to 50 feet
- The touch screen and scan window are equipped with heaters to support use for extended periods in and out of freezers
- A 4″ WVGA large touch screen along with either a 38-key numeric or 51-key alphanumeric key pad
- 28 hours of battery life, supports three shifts on one charge with hot swap technology allows workers to change the battery without rebooting the device
Scanners
Rugged cordless scanners are ideal for freezing temperatures, equipped with components designed to prevent optics from freezing or plastic casing from damage.
Zebra LI3678 Extended Range Scanner
Honeywell Granit 1981i Scanner
Forklift Mount
High RH condensing and integrated heaters allow for reliable and accurate use of vehicle mount computers while screw-connectors provide a condensation-free connection that keeps devices tightly in place.
Zebra VC8300 Vehicle Mount Computer
Honeywell VM3A Vehicle Mount Computer
RFID for Cold Chain
Cold Storage Labeling and Printing
For labeling applications in cold environments, it’s critical to not only have the right printing equipment, but the right labeling materials. Printers should be equipped with cold temperature compensation to automatically optimize and balance print speed and quality. Specialized labeling supplies must be able to stick to surfaces of -20° F / -20°C, while also staying at temperatures as low as -65°F / -54°C.
Zebra ZQ500 Series Mobile Printer
Cold Chain Label
Supplies
Wireless Networking
The most modern mobile devices adapted for freezing environments could have difficulty performing optimally if the wireless networking has been deployed without cold temperatures in mind. Insulation keeps cold air from escaping but it also restricts the movement of radio waves. Access points in freezing environments require specialized heated enclosures as well as antennas specifically designed to prevent RF signals from bouncing off obstacles—a common challenge in cold temperatures.
Peak Technologies Can Help You Optimize Mobility for Cold Chain Solutions
Discover how mobility solutions designed specifically for your cold chain logistics can help your operation be more efficient and profitable. A solutions provider with extensive knowledge and industry expertise can help you down the path to success. Let Peak Technologies assist in optimizing your cold chain logistics via our managed mobility services.
Our team works with you to create a mobility roadmap that aligns the right services and solutions to your specific needs, choose the right devices, deploy them, and help you manage them throughout their entire lifecycle.
