Fridge software trial Hot test for cold storage
A TOWNSVILLE- based environmental equipment and data company is trialling a software solution that could transform the way food and medicines are stored and maintained safely in refrigeration.
Campbell Scientific Australia is testing an automated refrigeration monitoring system called Altoview in businesses throughout Queensland after being awarded a $ 100,000 grant through the State Government’s Ignite Ideas fund.
Altoview uses sensors to record temperatures inside refrigerators.
The data is then transferred to an internet- based cloud where it can be accessed for analysis or to create food safety reports.
Campbell Scientific Australia general manager Adam Parsons said the trials were showing there was big demand for a system that could improve food safety and save time on manual monitoring and reporting tasks. “Throughout the trials we have seen the eagerness from businesses who have directly felt the costly impact of fridges not performing properly,” Mr Parsons said.
“Not only can it pose risks for the health of customers, it can quickly become costly due to losing stock and having to repair an appliance, let alone the time spent manually checking temperatures.”
Mr Parsons said software features of the system included receiving alerts on out- ofrange temperatures and exporting reports for food safety requirements.
He said the system had a big market in areas such as restaurants, retirement homes and medical centres.
McManus Group general manager Tim Eddiehausen, whose Townsville restaurants Coffee Club and Ribs and Rumps are trialling the product, said the solution allowed him to visualise everything at a glance.
“What’s great about the Al- toview software is the peace of mind that our fridges are being constantly monitored 24 hours a day,” Mr Eddiehausen said.
“Currently, our chefs spend a good amount of time each day probing, inspecting and writing down temperatures for all our fridges.
“These are time consuming tasks that can be greatly reduced thanks to the automated technology Campbell Scientific are developing.”
The Altoview is the latest innovation by a company which was established in Townsville 25 years ago by founder and former CSIRO staff member Steve Bailey.
The company now employs 25 people providing solutions in applications related to weather, water, energy, gas flux and turbulence, infrastructure and soil.