How do I set up a data logger service for my business?

What kind of data logger do I need?

First, decide what kind of data logger solution is right for your business. If you have multiple different points to measure (e.g., more than four refrigerators or more than four art cases) it will likely make sense to invest in a scalable solution. Instead of multiple standalone loggers, you can purchase a solution that connects sensors to the main console. Buying additional sensors is much less expensive than buying additional standalone data loggers so with four or more measuring points, it becomes the cost-effective option. 

What is involved in the set-up process?

Set-up typically involves connecting the concentrator and console to a network and then placing the sensors in each location. At ACL Solutions, our system is a scalable, three tier architecture.  The concentrator collects data from the sensors with the web based management console providing a data store, reporting, and alert capabilities.  Basic setup involves connecting the concentrator and the management console to a network and then placing each of the sensors in the desired location. Then, there are a few settings to configure for the software. Enter in a tag for each sensor (so you can remember where it is), configure the threshold for alerts, and add in contact information for individuals who will receive alerts.

We have decades of enterprise integration experience and can advise on how best to integrate our solution into your specific environment.  Customizations such as authentication integration is available. Please get in touch to talk more about custom set-ups.

What should I look for in the dashboard and reports?

Many data loggers come with software to help you see trends over time. Our solution provides a management console dashboard with drill-down capability into the data to effectively communicate the environmental history.  Robust audit trail data collection and reporting provides the ability to fully investigate situations.  Take a look at the trend for each sensor and look for abnormalities: was there a sharp increase in temperature on a particular day? Is the temperature slowly increasing over time? There are a couple possible factors that can affect temperature and humidity within refrigerators or in storage spaces: human error (leaving doors open), refrigeration compression cycles (these are normal as long as they remain within a certain threshold), outside weather conditions, and faulty equipment. It’s important to investigate possible explanations for the trends you see to catch problems early and take action.