Leading logistics company PostNL uses SenseAnywhere data loggers to monitor its cold chain
PostNL Pharma & Care has been monitored by SenseAnywhere data loggers since 2013. Pharmaceutical goods are transported in large trucks from the pharmaceutical manufacturers to PostNL's central distribution center, from where the medical material is taken to doctors and pharmacies in delivery vans. 70 AccessPoints and 300 AiroSensors help to ensure that these processes are carried out at the correct (room or cooling) temperature. We took the opportunity to ask Mr. Mitch van Gool (Planning & Distribution Manager PostNL Pharma & Care) a few questions.
PostNL Pharma & Care was founded in 1968 as a family business. Since 1990, the company has started distributing medicines to various medical sectors such as wholesalers, hospitals, pharmacists and doctors. PostNL can look back on 30 years of experience and has earned the trust of many large pharmaceutical companies. The company has been part of the PostNL Group since 2012.
Mitch van Gool is Planning & Distribution Manager at the PostNL Pharma & Care division. He has more than 10 years of experience in the field of temperature-controlled last-mile distribution of pharmaceutical products and medical devices in Belgium. "I am responsible for the daily management of, among others, planners, drivers, complaints, returns department, fleet and temperature control. This includes 80 full-time employees and 40 divisions," he says.
In 2013, the Good Distribution Practice (GDP) came into force in the Netherlands. GDP describes the minimum standards that a wholesaler must meet to ensure that the quality and integrity of medicines is guaranteed throughout the supply chain. "After the GDP directive, PostNL was looking for a solid and simple solution for temperature management. At that time, many sensors still had to be installed 'permanently', but we were looking for a 'mobile' solution."
How did the contact with SenseAnywhere come about?
"Our operations manager was looking for a company that could help us with a quick solution for recording temperatures. Tom Heijnen (Managing Director of SenseAnywhere) came by to present his AiroSensors and there was immediate mutual trust. The entire temperature chain in logistics is quite complex and SenseAnywhere delivered a simple and effective business solution."
"PostNL Pharma & Care Belgium is not the only department within PostNL that uses SenseAnywhere. The SenseAnywhere products are also used by our colleagues at PostNL Pharma & Care in the Netherlands. We started using the SenseAnywhere loggers and AccessPoints for our 'small' fleet (vans). We have since expanded this to the entire fleet. Pharma & Care has a total of around 70 AccessPoints and over 300 data loggers in use. The SenseAnywhere products are used for vehicles as well as for monitoring and mapping warehouses.
What experiences have you had with the product?
"I am very satisfied with the SenseAnywhere products. Calibrating the loggers takes very little time and our Mobile AccessPoints have a GPS receiver module that allows us to locate our loggers in real time. This is very practical. If we have any problems with the devices, we have a replacement. The software is user-friendly and works well. The strength of SenseAnywhere is its ease of use. Especially now that we are using the 'AssetTags', it has become even easier."
And what about problems with the system?
"We used to have some difficulties creating complex temperature curves in the system. We informed SenseAnywhere about this at the time and now they have built effective customization into the software. We are very happy with this personalized approach".
How do you rate the collaboration?
"We are satisfied with the products, but excellent service completes the overall experience. We always receive quick responses, so we are absolutely satisfied with this fruitful collaboration. Depending on the needs, I would definitely recommend SenseAnywhere to similar companies. In 2013, PostNL Pharma & Care was the first transport company in Belgium to focus entirely on transport under GDP conditions. That was a big challenge, but in the meantime we have learned a lot and built up a strong market position. SenseAnywhere has contributed positively to this success," Mitch concludes.
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