You know, designs of temperature logging systems depend on a number of different requirements. If you have simple requirements that extend only to a few locations, then a simple manual temperature logging system will likely suffice.
But for a larger locations, where manual monitoring and evaluation may be somewhat complicated and difficult, automatic systems are likely to be beneficial. Automatic temperature systems do not require manual intervention; instead they periodically log the temperature of their own. This is a considerable benefit of reducing the labor inputs and logging temperature with better efficiency.
Apart from that, larger temperature logging systems, particularly using environment monitors, can be installed, that are able to measure the temperature in many separate locations. Of course there is a big disadvantage of such systems as these are functional only when they are connected through wide network of computer systems. And if the computer system isn’t operating correctly, their operation will halt on the place. But the modern networks tend to be quite resilient, so such issues shouldn’t occur there.
Besides that, these automatic temperature logging systems can be quite cost effective. You can buy either a USB, serial or network based thermometer and connect it to your ordinary PC via suitable compliance software. This will convert you simple pc to a sophisticated temperature logging system.
Of course, automation bears a price tag and it can be a bit expensive compared to the manual temperature logging system. And another plus of these automated compliance systems, is their ability to send temperature alerts. Such systems can use email services to tell you when temperature has gone against the critical limits. Also such systems can send you SMS to keep you informed of changing temperature trends from time to time.
While you are investing with some automated temperature logging system, you are to make sure that there is provision for data backup, particularly if the system is constructed for regulatory compliance purposes. Any system based on your PC can be integrated into your existing data recovery regime. Data resting on your PC can be backed up remotely via drive share, or it can be backed on to the server drive and backed up as a part of regular server’s backup regime. Though temperature monitors are completely stand alone, they need to be backed up periodically. Despite of their reliability, any failure will result in complete loss of all temperature logs stored on the device. Most systems can have their temperature logs downloaded to PC for safe backup storage. But you also need to check regularly if the temperature monitor is storing data regularly in non volatile memory. If it is not, a single power cycle will result in complete loss of data.
If you are getting a customized temperature logging system, you need to inform the programmer of all your specific requirements.