Sensitech Launches ColdStream PTS Application

Radio Frequency-Enabled Solution is First to Provide Temperature Monitoring Within Every Segment of the Cold Chain

Beverly, MA - Sensitech Inc. announces the launch of ColdStream PTS — Plant to Shelf — the first end-to-end cold chain visibility solution for retailers and their perishable supply partners. The ColdStream PTS solution helps retailers and suppliers improve the freshness of their perishables, reduce revenue loss due to shrink, and increase profits by monitoring product temperatures within every segment of the cold chain. Unique features of ColdStream PTS include event-triggered alarming and alerting, coupled with a robust analytics engine and reporting capabilities. These features give companies a new ability to reveal weaknesses in their processes and continuously improve their cold chain management practices.

"Sensitech has taken a revolutionary step that will deliver significant savings and a competitive advantage for our clients," said Stephen DiRubio, Vice President and General Manager, Food Industry and International at Sensitech "For the first time, retailers and suppliers will have visibility into patterns of systematic variability, made obvious through the aggregation of temperature data within every segment of the cold chain. The bottom line is that by adopting this solution, our clients will have unparalleled insight into how to improve their cold chain management processes within every stage, and discover new sources of revenue and profitability."

"Sensitech's ColdStream PTS is an advanced cold chain visibility solution," said Steve Banker, Director, Supply Chain Management, ARC Advisory Group. "The solution makes a robust continuous improvement effort possible by speeding problem diagnosis and the corrective measures that put cold chain management processes back in control."

"ColdStream PTS is an outstanding example of the important solutions for supermarkets and fresh food suppliers who want to improve the eating experience for consumers and reduce shrink by offering only the freshest of products," said Bryan Silbermann, President and CEO of the Produce Marketing Association (PMA). "Sensitech's innovation gives our members the level of visibility into their cold chains, as well as the ability to act quickly to make critical improvements in their cold chain management that can also translate into dollars."

According to the 2003/2004 Supermarket Shrink Survey, 56 percent of all store shrink comes from the perishables department, an average of just over $250,000 per store annually. Temperature abuse reduces the freshness, safety and shelf life of perishable foods, and is a primary cause of shrink; more than half of all store shrink can be attributed to inadequate temperature management within one or more segments of the cold chain. Every dollar saved in shrink results in a 100% contribution to bottom-line profit.

ColdStream PTS is unique because of its continuous collection of data related to the time, temperature and location of products from farm to shelf, and its ability to alert a receiver to any anomalies that may occur. This comprehensive solution enables retailers to discover and triage problems as perishables arrive at the warehouse, distribution center, store, and store shelves Additionally, the data provides valuable insight into loading, unloading, staging and storing points within the cold chain.

The ColdStream PTS solution includes:

• Sensitech's TempTale RF-enabled temperature monitoring devices, operating within an RF mesh networking environment for enhanced reliability and availability. The TempTale RF devices monitor data across the entire cold chain—a major leap beyond the traditional single segment monitoring.

• Remote Site Server (RSS), a Windows-based software agent that reads and downloads data, and then forwards that data to a central repository. RSS also conducts SNMP monitoring to ensure the health and readiness of gateways and repeaters within the network.

• Sensitech's Cold Chain Visibility Server, a web-based hosted database application for query, reporting and analysis of stored data. Rules-driven alarms are transmitted to stakeholders for appropriate action in the event of temperature excursions. The Cold Chain Visibility Server enables retailers to share critical data across their wide range of supplier partners. Through password-protected selective access, users can understand the complexities of their unique supply chains through dashboard reporting. More in-depth data aggregation reporting enables users to analyze their data and draw conclusions about the efficiencies of their processes.

Additionally, Sensitech's Professional Services organization—comprised of food scientists, cold chain experts, industrial engineers and statisticians—is available to help clients analyze their data and collaborate with their supply partners to improve processes.

The launch of ColdStream PTS builds on Sensitech's position as the trusted global provider of cold chain management products and services to 15 of the top 20 U.S. supermarkets, and over 3,000 perishable suppliers of produce, dairy, meat and seafood. For more than 15 years, Sensitech has focused its energies and talents on improving the efficiency and reducing the costs of its customers' cold chains through the application of statistical process control The company distinguishes itself through its emphasis on aggressive research and development, adoption of new technologies such as RF and RFID, and a worldwide customer support organization. Other products offered through Sensitech include TempTale temperature and humidity monitors, Ryan strip chart recorders, TagAlert temperature indicators, and QuickCheck food safety management systems.

SOURCE: Sensitech Inc.