Cold chain monitoring replaces paper logs and spot checks with continuous sensing. A data logger or a wireless sensor travels with the shipment or sits in the refrigerator and records temperature at fixed intervals. If a threshold is exceeded, the system raises an alert and keeps an evidence trail for audits. For vaccines and some foods, that record decides whether a batch can be used.
Connectivity ranges from Bluetooth loggers read at delivery to cellular trackers that report in transit. The design question is latency versus battery: real-time alerts allow intervention, but a logger that only reports at the end can run far longer. Regulatory expectations differ by product and region, so data retention rules matter. See IoT in logistics and supply chain for a broader view of asset tracking.
Part of the IoT Glossary. Spotted an error or a missing term? Tell us.