What to Consider When Buying a Temperature Monitoring System
April 2, 2024 8:40 am
Many industries require temperature monitoring systems to protect equipment or products kept in storage facilities. Depending on your industry, there may even be specific legal requirements you have to follow to ensure your products remain at a safe temperature for public use.
If your temperature monitoring system malfunctions, you can lose a significant amount of profits and even damage your company’s reputation. That’s why it’s so important to choose a system that’s reliable, easy to monitor and scalable for your business. Keep reading for four questions you can ask to find the right system.
Basic Components of a Temperature Monitoring System
There are a few basic elements you’ll find in every temperature monitoring system. These components can vary in model and configuration, but they’re all necessary to monitor temperature data in your facility.
Sensors
These components can be wired or wireless. They’re a foundational part of your temperature monitoring system because they collect temperature and other environmental data — such as humidity, water and airflow.
Sensors are often placed near sensitive equipment in your facility. That way, they’ll quickly pick up on any abnormal behavior and let you know if something is wrong. Depending on the size of the facility you’re monitoring, you may need one or several different sensors.
Remote Terminal Units and Data Loggers
To connect all of your sensors and their data in one place, you’ll need a remote terminal unit (RTU). RTUs take the information that your sensors gather and transmit it to corresponding temperature monitoring software.
RTUs can be set up to trigger alarms or automatic safety responses if temperatures exceed certain settings. As long as you have solid Wi-Fi, you should be able to view temperature data sent from an RTU in real-time.
Sometimes, you can use data loggers in place of RTUs. Data loggers have sensors that collect data, but they also track information like the date and time of each temperature reading, which you can configure so it transmits to your management software.
What to Consider When Buying a Wireless Temperature Monitoring System
When you’re choosing what kind of components and architecture you’d like for your system, there are several factors involved. Here are four considerations that can help you find the best temperature monitoring solution for your facility.
1. Versatility and Scalability
How versatile is the system you’re considering?
Every facility has custom needs — different equipment and products to monitor, certain requirements you need to follow, varied space sizes, different data monitoring preferences, etc. Think through what type of system would work best for your needs and ask yourself if this system is customizable.
Along with versatility, you should consider the scalability of a potential temperature monitoring system. When your business grows, will the system be able to grow with it? Or will you need to invest in an entirely different system to effectively support growth?
One of the best ways to ensure scalability is to invest in updated technology. As tech continues to change, it will be harder to use older monitoring systems. Many temperature monitoring systems today are wireless, accessible on mobile devices and designed to automate as many tasks as possible.
When it comes down to daily operations, versatility and scalability can make a major difference in your daily experience. Choosing a system that can be customized to your needs will make temperature monitoring much simpler.
2. Installation and Support
Is system installation easy and technology support reliable?
Installing a new system should be intuitive and easy, not create a new hurdle for your facility. Research each company’s installation practices to find out how long it will take and how it might impact your facility’s daily operation.
Typically the installation process includes the following steps:
- Assessing your facility
- Installing sensors in strategic locations
- Setting up RTUs or data loggers
- Configuring system software
- Testing the system to ensure everything works
You should also consider support for your ideal system. Who will you contact if something isn’t working properly? Does the company you’re considering have good ratings for customer service? The way a company handles installation and support can tell you a lot about its communication, reliability and attention to detail.
3. Automated Data Logging and Alerts
How do you want to handle data organization and alerts?
The next thing to consider is the functionality of your room temperature monitor system. Would you like an automated system? Or will you be hiring someone to monitor the system and check on the temperature in your facility?
Consider both the set-up and access features of the system. Most companies prefer a remote temperature monitor system since it allows them to track and manage temperatures without being physically present at the facility.
You should also consider how you’d prefer to access your system. Will employees be working on a computer? Or, do you want a system that offers remote temperature monitoring via cell phone? Some software options may offer both, with a variety of alerts you can choose from.
The alert system that’s best for you will depend on a number of factors. Some companies prefer having an automated response kick in to control temperature fluctuations. You can also set up automated alerts so that employees have enough time to react to temperature changes.
4. System Compatibility
Is the temperature monitoring system compatible with the systems you already use?
Most facilities are already operating under management software. If your wireless temperature monitoring system can integrate with this software, it will be much easier for employees to access and monitor this data along with their other responsibilities.
The type of sensors and other system components you choose could be restricted by the kind of environment you’re maintaining at your facility. If you have special requirements, you’ll need a system that can accommodate them without causing disruption.
If you have several options you’re considering, compatibility could be a deciding factor. Ideally, your temperature monitoring system should reduce friction and make monitoring easy for employees. Ask yourself whether the system you’re considering would make it easier or harder for employees to ensure temperatures remain constant at your facility.
Where Can I Find a Temperature Monitoring System?
At Lexington Alarm Systems, we defend our customers’ homes and businesses with a range of security alarm systems. Once alarms are installed, we monitor them with professionally trained employees who are listening for alerts 24/7. Some of the alarms we offer include:
- Burglar alarms
- Video surveillance
- Fire and smoke alarms
- High and low temperature alarms
- Access control systems
Our high and low temperature alarm system is designed to notify you whenever the temperature in a space goes above or below certain specified temperatures. Whether we’re monitoring your business or your home, our guarantee is to notify you and the proper authorities within eight seconds of an alarm going off.
When you work with Lexington Alarm Systems, you won’t have to worry about losing valuable products or breaching compliance regulations. Our system will keep your inventory and reputation safe, so you can focus on running your business and successfully reaching more customers.
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