News

Rotronic ISO17025 Calibration

July 9, 2019 rotronicuk Leave a comment

casestudy

Introduction

Rotronic instruments have a UKAS / ISO17025
accredited laboratory for the calibration of humidity, temperature and dew point instrumentation. We are proud to advise that we can offer some of the lowest measurement uncertainties of any commercial laboratory in northern Europe.

Why is Calibration important?

Calibration is the only way to prove instrument performance. By comparing an instrument against a known reference at several stable conditions we can asses what error exists. Over time we can assess the instruments drift and repeatability. Once errors are know they can be corrected for or adjusted out. ISO17025 calibration is performed with a laboratory that is regularly audited to ensure compliance to strict standards. All ISO17025 laboratories have defined measurement uncertainties and regularly perform inter-comparisons with other laboratories to ensure performance. Calibration is essential for compliance within many industries (FDA, GAMP, ISO 9001) and should be considered by anyone that wishes to make meaningful measurements. Instruments need not be calibrated over their entire working range, only the range they are used at. For relative humidity it is best to calibrate at the working temperature or over a temperature range.

Evaluating Uncertainty

Improving quality is the key to mitigating risks and reducing costs. However, measurement uncertainty is a parameter that is often overlooked. It is an important aspect of measurement that affects quality, costs, decisions and risks. Measurement uncertainty is a calculation that defines the range in which the “true value” is expected to lie. Measurement uncertainty is calculated by tabulating the known sources of error in terms of probability distribution. The final result is typically displayed as a value at 95% confidence. Uncertainly is a far better term to use vs accuracy, uncertainly includes details of the specific instrument and how it is used. The need for increased accuracy is not as important as the need for quality measurements and knowledge of measurement uncertainty

Calibration Services – Our comprehensive range of industry leading calibration services include:

Calibration of relative humidity measuring instruments using unsaturated salt solutions at 5,10,11,20,35,50,60,65,75,80 & 95%rh.
Calibration of dew point measuring instruments over the range -60°C dewpoint to 95°C dew point.
Calibration of relative humidity measuring instruments by comparison with a chilled mirror hygrometer and platinum resistances thermometers in the range 0°C to 95°C; 2%rh to 98%rh.
Temperature calibration of probes in air -60°C
to 150°C
Temperature calibration of probes in liquid
-70°C to 200°C

We meet the needs of our customers who cover a wide range of industries and sectors some which include Agrochemical, HVAC, Food, Medical, Meteorological, Pharmaceutical.

Calibration Solutions from Rotronic

Rotronic offer the most complete range of humidity calibration equipment available on the market today from cost effective to high end solutions to meet all requirements and applications. Rotronic ISO 17025 Calibration labs are situated in UK, Switzerland, Germany and USA.

For information on any of our products and services please visit our website www.rotronic.co.uk

Business Case, Humidity, News, Sensors, Temperature

Simple connectivity with the Rotronic Monitoring System (RMS)

May 20, 2019 rotronicuk Leave a comment

Introduction:

Reducing costs and improving quality are key drivers for any business. RMS applications typically target these aspects of our customers operations and a recent project with here in the UK was no exception.

Following an initial enquiry it was clear that a custom selection of RMS hardware and setup would be required, however this was no reason not to proceed with a bespoke solution.

Customer Process:

The project was based around a wider roll out of a new technology in the manufacturing process of our customer. The process required the use of special epoxy adhesives that themselves require very strict ambient and surface temperature conditions. Outside these conditions the bonding process would not be adequate. As such monitoring was critical to ensure and prove conditions were being met during production.

Some Chemistry:

Epoxy resins a reactive pre-polymers, they have the potential to react and cross link. It is this cross linking that when triggered turns a stable liquid into a thermo-setting polymer. The set polymer typically has extremely high thermal and chemical resistance. Epoxy resins are commonly used as adhesives and coatings in many industries such as carbon fibre and ship building.

What are the monitoring requirements

Ambient conditions and surface temperatures are critical for the client procedure. The production area was therefore independently controlled by a specific HVAC system. Previous manual checks lacked quantitative detail and were costly to implement

The Solution – RMS Continuous Monitoring

RMS provided the perfect solution. Using an RMS-LOG-868 high accuracy humidity and temperature loggers combined with an economical RMS-MLOG mini-loggers all measurements could be made in real time. A custom magnetic surface temperature probe was utilised so the customer could accurately measure the surface temperature as per their quality requirements. Live ambient dew point was calculated via RMS and then this value was compared with surface temperature using a simple arithmetic calculation. Thus a live trace of surface temperature vs dew point temperature was provided giving a clear indication whether there would be a risk of surface condensation. Parameters were configured with warning and alarm limits linked to emails, SMS and telephone alerts as well as clear visual displays via tablets and PCs.

As such the customer could be confident that should conditions not be favourable they would know, in addition for QA a full record of all conditions was easily available with automated reporting and full audit trail.

API Example5 — Live data direct to your PC, Tablet or Mobile device.

Simplifying Connectivity

Cconnectivity was an issue on such a large site. No network access was available at all. A 4G solution resolved these and provided data direct connectivity at all times through out the site.

Fully mobile kit was created requiring only a mains power supply for operation. Wireless loggers could then be moved and placed as required always in range of the 4G communications kit.

Even if connectivity or power was lost for any reason, all the wireless loggers would continue logging on their 3 year batteries and maintain a 1 month record that automatically synchronised back to the RMS software once 4G connection was restored.

The entire system was setup and configured exactly as required from the Rotronic office, including device pairing and software configuration allowing the client to log on from their offices and make comments and changes. A subsequent visit to site met with no technical issues or surprises. This also kept service costs to a minimum for an initial proof of concept project.

4G connectivity reducing need for on-site infrastructure and IT issues.

This is just one example of an RMS implementation. With a range of cloud and on premises software along with wireless and wired devices if you have a monitoring application we are confident we can find a solution to meet your needs and budget.

To find out more about our range of monitoring solutions and instruments contact us or visit http://www.rotronic.com/rms

Dr Jeremy Wingate
Rotronic

News

Real Time Monitoring for the Medical Cannabis Industry

May 16, 2019 rotronicuk Leave a comment

Since being legalised in the UK in 2018, cannabis-derived medicinal products can now be prescribed for a variety of health issues. The term medicinal cannabis refers to the use of the whole, unprocessed cannabis plant or its basic extracts.

How Medical cannabis might be a useful medicine

There are two main parts of the cannabis plant that are of medical interest, they are THC and CBD. THC can increase appetite and reduce nausea, it may also decrease pain, inflammation and swelling; CBD is the oil that may be useful in reducing pain and inflammation and controlling epileptic seizures and possibly some mental illnesses.

How monitoring can help?

Maintaining ideal environmental conditions that support cannabis plant cultivation with good growth and development is not easy to achieve. Glasshouse humidity, temperature, lighting and CO₂levels are all crucial for the prevention of plant diseases and the promotion of healthy and strong plant growth. Rotronic provide a validated real-time continuous environmental monitoring system that measures all parameters with live alarms using our Rotronic Monitoring system (RMS).

RMS is an advanced, modular monitoring system with all data available securely via any device, anywhere. RMS provides users with exactly the data they need and in the format they require with extensive reporting and configurable alarms. Importantly, RMS can support existing hardware and interact with other software/hardware platforms. RMS can be provided as a hosted cloud service or using a traditional license whereby the client installs the system on their servers (local or cloud).

In summary RMS provides….

Live and interactive charts for all monitored parameters
Full alarming and alerts, easily configured
All data available with automated scheduled report generation
Complete event logging and compliance with GxP requirements
Email, phone, SMS, relay and custom protocol alarm notifications
Automatic data back filling and retrospective alarms (ideal for transportation logging)
Interactive, user configurable on-screen layouts

Rotronic has a micro website for RMS – please visit HERE, a technical brochure is available. Call us to discuss your application on 01293 571000.

Get a Free RMS Demonstration Account HERE

Water Activity

Water activity is the measurement of the available or ‘free’ moisture in a product that can support microbiological growth including yeasts, mildew and bacteria. This affects its stability, quality and shelf life. Most cannabis is dried and cured to a final water activity level of 0.30 – 0.60 Aw. Humidity and water activity influence the quality of the cannabis seeds and dried cannabis products.

The wide range of water activity analysers manufactured and developed by Rotronic are easy to use, convenient and provide fast measurements on-site to confirm product quality.

For full technical information on our Rotronic water activity analysers please click HERE. A comprehensive brochure is available. Call us to discuss your application on 01293 571000.

News

Rotronic Precise and Reliable Measurement for Weather Stations

May 10, 2019 rotronicuk Leave a comment

LSI-Lasten is an Italian company that develops, manufactures and markets a wide range of advanced environmental monitoring systems. The company was established in 1972 and then began the production of electric thermometers. Later, other parameter devices were added to the product range including relative humidity and air speed utilising the hot-wire method. LSI-Lasten has relied upon the vast sensor technology knowledge of Rotronic over the years and benefits from the use of the outdoor OEM HC2-CP03 cable mount probe in all its sophisticated weather stations. These comprise many different sensors for various parameters, the signals from which are all integrated using data standardisation software. Rotronic meteorological probes measure temperature and relative humidity precisely and reliably. Rotronic offers a wide variety of tailor-made measurement devices which are developed to meet specific customer requirements, for LSI-Lasten the need was for a specified cable length, power supply and outputs with everything designed to fit in a single housing for the installation.

The highest weather station in the world on Mount Everest

By selecting Rotronic sensors, LSI-Lastem was able to ensure not only precise measurement, but also a high level of performance. Mr. Federico Pasquini, chief operating officer at LSI-Lastem, explains:

“The Rotronic probes have completely fulfilled our expectations, because they overcome certain limitations on the measurement of relative humidity in higher regions, even in difficult situations, and this is hard to achieve with other solutions.”

LSI-Lastem specialises in the development and installation of measurement solutions for extreme environments. The company implemented the highest weather station in the world, located on the southern peak of Mount Everest at the amazing height of 8,000 metres. This station includes three Rotronic sensors, demonstrating how the highly developed, reliable technologies by two partners can fully complement each other.

HC2-CP03 Meteorological probe

Rotronic developed the OEM temperature and humidity cable mount probe for meteorological and outdoor applications. The probe is fitted with a fast response sensor, advanced filter technology that significantly improves protection of the humidity sensor against the formation of biofilm, and an increased power supply range suitable for battery operated systems.

For information on any of our products please contact us on 01293 571000 or email instruments@rotronic.co.uk.

News

Air Humidity and Temperature Under Control

April 11, 2019 rotronicuk Leave a comment

The Laténium in Neuchâtel is the largest archaeological museum in Switzerland, with more than half a million artefacts. The most common problem for the museum in storing the ancient relics, is the variation in air humidity and temperature. There is no air conditioning system in the building, the museum uses temperature and humidity measurement probes to monitor the environment. The Laténium Museum has two laboratories, one where wooden artefacts are dated and which provides highly specialised services, and a laboratory for conservation and restoration work. Rotronic probes are used due to their high precision and advanced functions, they control the environments in glass display cabinets, exhibition rooms and storage areas. The museum houses 524,450 objects dating from the Neanderthal era through to the renaissance. Around 70 Rotronic temperature and humidity probes are installed.

Preserving the Artefacts

Finding an archaeological object is of course of great importance. It is first removed from its surroundings and then kept under suitable conditions. During this time, it is expected that the object will start to destruct, the climate plays a huge part in this. If artefacts are not stored under the right conditions, their condition can deteriorate very quickly; air relative humidity of about 50 % is ideal.

Thanks to the Rotronic Monitoring system (RMS) the Laténium Museum has a complete overview of the probe installation locations with optimal environmental control. RMS provides a complete, flexible and yet easy to use continuous environmental monitoring solution instead of multiple fragmented and complex systems working in isolation. The RMS software stores all recorded measurements securely in a system that the user can access at any time, data can be retrieved in any form and integrated into third party systems, automated reports are easily generated and sent autonomously to key personnel. The heart of the system is server-based web software with a secure SQL database. It records all data and events generating a range of alerts or warnings when the museum’s defined criteria are breached. The RMS data loggers transmit the measured values to the software via wireless or LAN communication.

The Benefits of Using Rotronic Precision Temperature and Humidity Probes

Organic materials are sensitive to the climate, they will deteriorate following any variations. Artefacts are stabilised at a relative air humidity of 50 %. As the museum is not air conditioned, the curators decided to install climatic controls in every glass cabinet that housed archaeological objects to ensure they were kept at a constant humidity level. Each cabinet has a cartridge fitted containing buffer material. Using the Rotronic RMS software, the museum can control the cabinets from a computer screen. It can provide detailed charts for a year, a week, a day or an hour to suit the application being monitored. These charts allow the curator to track seasonal or weekly fluctuations in humidity and temperature and will identify any anomalies.

The Laténium Museum opted for the Rotronic system because it can achieve high precision in humidity measurement of ± 0.8 %rh while other manufacturers could only offer ±2 %rh.

Scientific projects at the Laténium

The Laténium Laboratory for Conservation and Restoration is involved in various scientific projects in fundamental research as well as applied research (including the development of marketable products). This work is conducted in partnership with the scientific institutes of various colleges and universities in Switzerland as well as other organisations.

Business Case, News, Process, Sensors, TechNotes, Training

Rotronic Monitoring System integration. Pulling data into your systems

March 26, 2019 rotronicuk Leave a comment

Data Integration is Key

Data integration is one of the primary requirements for many of our customers. I have previously discussed how RMS easily supports the integration of external data, but this posts takes a look at how RMS allows you the export data.

Of course RMS provides excellent graphing, statics and reporting as part of its core functionality, however here we are discussing the tools that will more likely be used for Machine to Machine (M2M) integration.

Machine to Machine (M2M) integration is absolutely key as data is increasingly being used for different purposes through businesses. So whilst RMS provides a highly secure and configurable platform for monitoring and alarming there are many weird and wonderful functions that it cannot provide. In this case we need to pull the data out and use it elsewhere.

Getting Data out of RMS

RMS is an SQL based system so we could of course query the SQL directly however there are many limitations with this approach especially security. Also via our RMS cloud platform absolutely no direct SQL access is available to end users.

Instead RMS supports a RESTful API, we’ll use a simple example to go through the basic steps.

RMS GET API

As before I’ll use some Python scripts in this example but if you prefer, POSTMAN is a great tool for testing these types of APIs.

Let’s breakdown the steps.

Request API token using your username and password
Use Token to request specific data
Use data as required

Step 1 – Request a Token.

For security reasons you cannot simply send a request and get whatever data you desire. First you must request a token from RMS. The token is linked to a user account and will only allow the data that is visible by that user to be accessed. When requesting a token you can also specify how long it is valid for. The maximum length is 30 days.

import json
import requests

url = ‘https://rms.rotronic.com/RMS/API/RequestToken.ashx’
headers = {‘Content-Type’ : ‘Application/json’, ‘Expect’ : ‘100-continue’, ‘Connnection’ : ‘Close’, ‘Host’ : ‘rms.rotronic.com’}

UsrID = “1”
User= “Jeremy”
PW = “########”
Exp = “30”

get_payload = {‘UserId’:UsrID,’Username’:User,’Password’:PW,’RequestType’:’ DataHistory’,’ExpirationDays’: Exp}
api_get = requests.post(url, headers=headers, data =json.dumps (get_payload))
token = json.loads(api_get.content)
token = token.get(‘Token’)

The above request with suitable credentials will return something along these lines.

{‘UserId’: 1, ‘RequestType’: ‘DataHistory’, ‘Token’: ‘jUsTaNeXaMpLe_HRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAxLzA0L3htbGRzaWctbW9yZSNobWFjLXNoYTI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJVc2VySWQiOjM5MzEsIlJlcXVlc3RUeXBlIjoiRGF0YUhpc3RvcnkiLCJFeHBpcmF0aW9uIjoiMjAxOS0wNC0wM1QxNToyMzoyMC44MTgwODM4WiJ9.rtHHKvrE-7jnMNHUGazso_jUsTaNeXaMpLe’, ‘Status’: ‘OK’}

The API token being the jumble of text above. With the token in hand we can proceed with requesting our data.

Step 2 – Request Data

To request data we need the measuring point ID for the data we need which can be obtained from the RMS interface (every measured parameter has a unique ID within RMS that will not change and cannot be reused). We also define the From and To ranges as well as the number of values we wish to obtain (Count).

import json
import requests

url = ‘https://rms.rotronic.com/RMS/API/DataHistory.ashx’
headers = {‘Content-Type’ : ‘Application/json’, ‘Expect’ : ‘100-continue’, ‘Connnection’ : ‘Close’, ‘Host’ : ‘rms.rotronic.com’}

MPTID = “20”
From = “2019-03-04T08:00:00”
To = “2019-03-04T09:00:00”
Count = “10”
Token = “token from step 1”

post_payload = {‘ID’: MPTID,’From’: From,’To’:To,’Count’:Count,’Order’:’Asc’,’Token’: Token}
api_get = requests.post(url, headers=headers, data =json.dumps (post_payload))
data = json.loads(api_get.content)
print (data)

The above request with suitable details will return something along these lines.

{‘Status’: ‘OK’, ‘ID’: 20, ‘Name’: ‘Humidity-18071604′, ‘Parameter’: ‘Humidity‘, ‘Unit’: ‘%rh‘, ‘Data’: [{‘Time’: ‘2019-03-04T08:00:14+01:00′, ‘Value’: ‘29.45%rh‘}, {‘Time’: ‘2019-03-04T08:05:14+01:00’, ‘Value’: ‘29.80%rh’}, {‘Time’: ‘2019-03-04T08:10:14+01:00’, ‘Value’: ‘29.61%rh’}, {‘Time’: ‘2019-03-04T08:15:14+01:00’, ‘Value’: ‘29.29%rh’}, {‘Time’: ‘2019-03-04T08:20:14+01:00’, ‘Value’: ‘29.80%rh’}]}

Step 3 – Use the data

So we have our data in JSON format from here it’s an easy step to chopping out the specific values and handing them over to some other code, machine or simply displaying them for yourself.

The flexibility of RMS is an important requirement for our customers especially those with existing systems. Using RMS as the central platform ensures precision measurements, secure and reliable data collection and easy access to data. Using our APIs then allows this data to be utilised in wider business operations.

Customer examples using the API include

Live temperature data included in packaging labels
Automated calibration certificate generation using reference values from RMS
Visualisation of RMS data on 3rd party software for building efficiency displays

Conclusion

This article focuses on our RESTful API however we have many other options for integration of data including relay output modules, analogue output modules, direct SQL connection. In addition our RMS-Integrator hardware offers direct communication with devices via MODBUS, SNMP and MySQL.

So the message is simple; if you have requirements RMS can usually deliver what you need. Please contact us and we will be happy to discuss your project be it large or small.

Dr Jeremy Wingate
Rotronic UK

News

Temperature Mapping & GDP-Compliant Warehouse Qualification

March 15, 2019 rotronicuk Leave a comment

casestudy

At the World Cargo Centre (WCC) Leipzig/Halle airport a cold store for air freight shipments was built for aircraft loads of temperature-sensitive goods to enable them to be stored at correct temperatures.

The cold store, operated by PortGround, can store goods at temperatures of +2°C to +25°C. Rotronic carried out a winter mapping assessment of the climate conditions. To ensure that customer requirements of PortGround GmbH were met.

Before mapping can take place in any warehouse or other storage facility, you must ensure you identify the risk areas that could cause deviations in temperature and humidity leading to potential product quality problems.

General procedure
The control and fluidity of storage spaces are influenced by a number of factors. Once the risk areas have been identified, before mapping takes place a test must be developed, providing the following Information and the basis for each decision:

• Types of data to be generated – e.g. temperature, relative humidity and their measurement intervals
• Number of sensors required
• Deciding the positioning of the sensors
• Duration of the investigation
• Summer and winter mapping
• Requirements for calibration of the data loggers
• Acceptable limit values for temperature and relative humidity
• Report generation requirements

The data loggers are then positioned in the warehouse according to the model. Additional data loggers are then used in the identified risk areas where draughts from loading ramps, heat or cold radiation from external walls, solar heating through windows, heating by lamps, air circulation from traffic or the HVAC system could occur. Many factors can impact temperature and humidity conditions which is why the initial risk assessment of the specific site is critical.

Rotronic offers several solutions for thermal mapping, including stand alone data loggers and wireless data loggers. Stand alone data loggers are batch configured and data is batch downloaded for analysis and reporting via our HW4 software. Wireless loggers connect to our RMS platform and can provide live data during the mapping or alternatively where live connection is not possible or required data is automatically downloaded once loggers are back in range of a suitable gateway, via RMS data can be automatically analysed for deviations. For example our engineers can park at the office car park and all the devices automatically reconnect, download and deviation reports are generated without a single click of a button.

Based on the project master plan final reports will be generated with deviations listed. The basic information shown is listed below:

• Data with time and date
• Calculated values such as average, standard deviation, temperature minimum, temperature maximum, MKT.
• Deviation details and summary
• The characteristic of all data loggers over the test period
• The device settings
• Date and time of the test
• The calibration information

The position of individual sensors can be displayed in a graph to provide a quick overview of possible extremes in temperature and relative humidity. The outside temperature and humidity can also be recorded. Then, for example, a temperature peak can be associated with a time when the gates of the loading ramp were open.

HygroLog HL-1D is suitable for monitoring and recording conditions for a wide range of applications across all industries, in commerce and for research organisations.

The compact logger is particularly suitable for monitoring high value products of all types during transportation to ensure that quality is maintained.

Simple USB interface and low cost makes these devices ideal for thermal mapping projects.

RMS-LOG and RMS-MLOG devices offer benefits of live data allowing monitoring of the mapping data ensuring devices are operating normally. Automated download and reporting is a luxury but for large projects this can save significant time. The RMS-LOG provides accuracy of 0.8%rh and 0.1°C and with interchangeable probes calibration costs can be reduced.

Flughafen Leipzig Halle GmbH – is a Subsidiary of Mitteledeutsche Flaghafen AG. Around 2.4 million passengers and 1.2 million tonnes of air freight were registered in 2017, making Leipzig airport the second largest cargo airport in Germany.

PortGround GmbH is a subsidiary of Mitteldeutsche Flaghafen AG, it offers ground handling, freight and other comprehensive services around the clock at the airports in Dresden and Leipzig/Halle airports.

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News

PDF Logger for Raw Materials

February 15, 2019 rotronicuk Leave a comment

casestudy

B.M.P Pharma is a company located in Hamburg, Germany that specialises in the worldwide trade of raw materials for the pharmaceutical and health food industries.

B.M.P provides the highest quality products. Highly qualified and experienced employees have contributed to the company’s steady growth together with its flexibility, speed, and reliability.

The company has been a competent partner for the worldwide sales of pharmaceutical and food products since 1979. A decisive factor in B.M.P. Pharma’s commercial success is the storage and transportation of the products in ideal, controlled climatic conditions.

In order to comply with Industry best practice meeting requirements for product storage and transportation, and to ensure optimal climatic conditions particularly for the storage of sensitive raw materials, temperature and humidity mapping were carried out with the experienced Rotronic team.

Imagestccl

For the recording and monitoring of product transportation temperature conditions, B.M.P Pharma specified the Rotronic USB PDF Logger, due to its ease of use, no software requirement, and the automatic generation of detailed PDF reports.

The Rotronic USB PDF logger is just one option from a wide family of measurement solutions available from Rotronic, all designed and developed specifically for compliant industries and applications.

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News

Monitoring Medicines

January 17, 2019 rotronicuk Leave a comment

Medicines are sensitive products. High or low storage temperatures can impair their quality. Incorrectly stored medicines lose their efficiency and can be harmful to health. Therefore correct storage is vital to ensure that medicines remain safe, efficacious and retain their high quality right up to their stated expiry dates. The Rosengarten Apotheke Pharmacy in Bassersdorf, Switzerland relies on the Rotronic Monitoring System to record temperature conditions during medicine and chemical storage, with full alarms.

GDP/GMP requirements in pharmacies
The storage of medicines is legally regulated by GDP Standard 9.2. Temperature sensitive pharmaceuticals such as insulin, liquid antibiotics and certain eye drops, must be stored in medicine refrigerators between 2 °C and 8 °C. A temperature range of 15 °C to 25 °C applies to the vast majority of other medicines. It is compulsory to document the actual storage conditions of all medicines. The Rosengarten Apotheke Pharmacy previously recorded temperature values by hand. The Rotronic Monitoring System (RMS) now eliminates this work. The RMS loggers transmit their measured values to the ISO 27001-certified RMS Data Centre via a gateway in real time; it stores the data centrally and securely. Access to all the data is available anywhere, on any device via a secure internet address. Measurement devices also log several weeks of data providing a secure backup in the event of any communication or power interruption to the facility.

Carefree package
The Rosengarten Apotheke Pharmacy opted for an RMS leasing contract which includes the use of hardware and cloud-based software and support all under one fixed price Service Agreement. With this convenient solution Rosengarten Apotheke Pharmacy did not have to purchase any equipment or set up its own IT infrastructure and benefits from the full service package. This includes annual sensor calibration, battery replacement and direct support as needed. During the consultation meetings with the customer, we defined and proposed the monitoring system as required to meet the legal requirements. After approval, the required hardware was calibrated, installed and configured by Rotronic personnel on site.

Alarms
As soon as a measured temperature value falls below or exceeds the defined limits, the system triggers an alarm; an email is then sent to the designated person. Four alarm levels can be selected in RMS, depending on the risk, ‘Reminders’ for non-urgent events, ‘Warnings’ or ‘Alarms’ for measured values outside set limits and ‘Errors’ for possible hardware errors. Notified alarms must be acknowledged; causes and corrective measures can be entered and stored for audit and route cause analysis purposes.

For more information on the Rotronic Monitoring System (RMS) or our Solution as a Service models please contact us or visit our website www.rotronic.co.uk

The Rosengarten Apotheke Pharmacy has been deeply rooted in the community of Bassersdorf Switzerland, since 1960.

Monitored areas:
• Sales and storage rooms
• Picking machines
• Refrigerators for medicines and chemicals

News

Measuring Medicines with RMS (Rotronic Monitoring System)

October 11, 2018 rotronicuk Leave a comment

Drugs and vaccines need to be stored in controlled temperature and humidity environments, that require continuous monitoring. The Rotronic Monitoring System (RMS) provides secure and reliable monitoring in hospital and pharmacy refrigerators and freezers. Additionally Rotronic can monitor laboratories operating rooms and other critical areas.

Pharmacies throughout Switzerland are subject to strict laws (HMG Therapeutic Products Act), which state the temperature at which specified medications must be stored. To meet these requirements, the temperature in the refrigerated medicine cabinets are checked and documented regularly. Following some damaged drugs in a Pharmacieplus AG pharmacy due to an excessively high temperature, some pharmacies have now opted to use the Rotronic Monitoring System to assist with the prevention of any further occurrence.

Monitoring Technology
At Pharmacieplus pharmacies, the monitoring system incorporates Rotronic compact data loggers, which communicate with the software via an 868 MHz wireless connection using gateways or directly via LAN connection. The data loggers are positioned as required and are set to record the temperature. Depending on the requirement, this can vary from every 10 seconds up to every 15 minutes.

Most of the Rotronic devices are used in refrigerators, since the medicines stored in them are particularly sensitive to temperature changes. The mini logger sends the data via secure radio signals to a gateway, This is installed at a point in the Pharmacy where the configured connections to all the data loggers are located. The data is transmitted to a server via the network and stored there securely. The alarm function ensures that a warning message is triggered immediately if the temperature rises or falls from the defined tolerance. This can be easily set individually in each pharmacy.

Implementation

After setting up the software on one of the hosting company’s servers in Geneva, an initial RMS logger was installed at the company in Bremblens, Switzerland by remote engineering and with support from Rotronic. After successful evaluation, the other Pharmacieplus sites were able to access the application directly. The necessary infrastructure needed to be installed in these pharmacies, but was easily completed. Pharmacieplus AG has launched a campaign that enables interested pharmacists to purchase the system on special terms and, to take advantage of support during the installation work.

Outcome
This year the Rotronic (RMS) system was installed in half of all Pharmacieplus pharmacies. Soon after its introduction, users were enthusiastic about the simplicity of system handling and appreciated the value of automated temperature monitoring and individually configurable alarms. Data is recorded reliably and accurately every minute and can be viewed at any time, whenever required. This saves time and simplifies compliance with temperature regulations.

The Pharmacieplus group was established 24 years ago by a number of independent pharmacists. They offer their customers personal health advice and high-quality healthcare services.

Rotronic – BLOG

Rotronic ISO17025 Calibration

Real Time Monitoring for the Medical Cannabis Industry

Rotronic Precise and Reliable Measurement for Weather Stations

Air Humidity and Temperature Under Control

Rotronic Monitoring System integration. Pulling data into your systems

Temperature Mapping & GDP-Compliant Warehouse Qualification

PDF Logger for Raw Materials

Monitoring Medicines

Measuring Medicines with RMS (Rotronic Monitoring System)

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