An Overview of Warehouse Operations for Cold Chain

Vaccines supply chain is the soul for the success of immunization program in any developing or developed country. A poor performing vaccine cold chain will result into failure of immunization program and may cause millions of death from vaccine-preventable diseases. In this research work, an attempt has been made to identify the key performance factors (criteria) which are responsible for reduced performance of vaccines cold supply chain. So far, many researches have been done to identify these performance factors of vaccines cold supply chain performance but the questions such as how these factors will affect the performance, what will be the relationship among them, and what will the best possible solutions to tackle these concerns are not answered systematically. This paper provides systematic answers to these questions. In order to visualize the effect of these performance factors on the of vaccines supply chain and to suggest the best possible alternative, the whole research work is divided into three segment—in the first segment Delphi method has been used to select the most critical factors and best possible alternatives (eight criteria and five alternatives) for the performance of vaccine cold chain, in the second segment research work propose AHP approach to find out the priority weights of selected criteria, and in the third segment TOPSIS approach has been used to provide the ranking for selected alternatives. The results of the research work show that the criteria ‘vaccine instability’ is most critical and should be taken into consideration at first while establishing the benchmarks for vaccines cold chain. The results of the research work also show that the alternative ‘continuous monitoring of vaccine cold chain functionality status’ can be adopted as the best solution to improve the performance of vaccines cold supply chain.

With the continuous improvement of people’s quality of life and tremendous changes in consumption concepts, people’s demand for fresh agricultural products is increasing, which has led to a huge gap in the supply of fresh agricultural products logistics. In recent years, frequent food quality and safety issues have attracted the attention of consumers and have been highly valued by the country, making enterprises deeply aware of the importance of the refrigeration supply chain. However, the traditional cold chain supply of agricultural products is far from being able to meet the strict quality requirements of food for consumers in terms of production, processing, storage, transportation and sales. Therefore, how to improve the efficiency of the product refrigeration supply chain, reduce logistics costs, and ensure product freshness and quality assurance has become the focus and difficulty of establishing a cold chain supply chain business. This article is based on the analysis and design of the intelligent cold chain logistics simulation model under the Internet of Things technology. Firstly, the literature research method is used to summarize the problems of the intelligent cold chain logistics under the Internet of Things technology and the advantages of the intelligent cold chain logistics under the Internet of Things technology. The feasibility of the intelligent cold chain logistics simulation model under the Internet of Things technology, and then through the analysis of the cold chain logistics process unit and organization, the modeling is carried out based on the analysis results.

Purpose The cold chain (CC) is critical in preserving perishable goods across multiple industries. Insufficient infrastructure, along with other challenges, contributes to extensive food wastage. Although numerous studies have focused on the challenges of the CC, an integrated framework is required to prioritize and tackle these challenges. Design/methodology/approach The empirical research utilizes a conscious capitalism perspective and employs multi-criteria decision-making methods, specifically fuzzy analytic hierarchy process, Fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution and the best-worst method to analyse various factors affecting the cold supply chain (CSC). Findings The findings of this research emphasize that implementing best practices, forming partnerships and alliances and government initiatives are significant non-information technology (IT) solutions. Automating data collection, integrating logistics management systems and creating integrated platforms are notable IT solutions for addressing CSC challenges. These findings align with the recent focus on sustainability in the CCs. Originality/value The current study contributes a novel integrated framework and seeks to fill the existing gap by analysing issues and proposing solutions to mitigate the adverse effects of these issues on the CC. The study attempts to further build upon prior research by extending it through the utilization of a unified model with a focus on sustainability.

Organizations operating within the cold chain logistics sector are adopting a strategic approach towards using big data in order to effectively navigate the substantial potential and challenges presented by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT). When used in the broader context of cold chain logistics, IoT technology enhances the traditional information transmission network. In recent years, there has been a notable emergence of research focused on technological breakthroughs in the field of Internet of Things. As technology progresses to a certain threshold, the model of application will undergo maturation, leading to an expansion in range of requisitions and an augmentation in their capabilities. This paper examines the prevailing concerns pertaining to energy consumption across the agricultural supply chain and asserts the indispensability of using AI as a means to address these challenges. Furthermore, this paper examines several aspects of energy system planning and operation, specifically focusing on the potential use of AI in addressing energy challenges within the cold supply chain. In conclusion, this study undertakes more research on the problems and potential of the next generation of super cold chain. Its aim is to establish a standard for the good expansion of cold-chain logistics within the agricultural industry, with major interest in minimizing carbon emissions.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the cold chain for biopharmaceutical products to the spotlight. To preserve their structure and function, biopharmaceuticals such as cells, proteins and enzymes, RNA molecules, and RNA-based drugs (e.g., mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines) require low temperatures for proper handling, storage, and transport. Due to the sensitivity of these products transported through cold chains and the lack of traceability, risks associated with the stability, efficacy, safety, tardiness, quality, and waste are significant. For this reason, the ability to quickly find, connect, and do business with a new supply chain partner, such as in cold chain partnering is essential. Many researchers suggested various approaches to improve the effectiveness of cold chains. However, standardization and interoperability remain open challenges. Motivated by the biopharma risks and the need for interoperability, this paper presents a preliminary investigation into a novel approach for automating the onboarding of new supply chain partners. Based on the analysis of previous efforts in the cold chain domain, the notion of external context is recognized. In addition, the paper introduces the notion of business context which is proposed as a basis for a novel approach to achieve agile supply chain via automatic supply chain partner onboarding. Cold chain networking is used as a specific case study. The investigation results show that, with identified improvements, the approach has a potential to increase the automation in supply chain integration.

PurposeThis study focuses on identifying potential challengers affecting cold chain performance in the pharmaceutical industry. Considering the history of humanity, every pandemic experienced could only be controlled with the vaccine found. While the world is fighting the unforgettable epidemic called COVID-19, scientists are also working to find the therapeutic vaccine. The vaccines studied have different temperature storage and transport properties. In the pharmaceutical industry, it is necessary to know and analyse every step of the cold supply chain to provide the most appropriate and safe cooling level. In addition, it is important to understand the relationship between all the facilities, equipment, tools and materials needed to avoid mistakes along the chain.Design/methodology/approachHence, this study focuses on identifying potential challengers affecting sustainable cold supply chain performance in the pharmaceutical industry and proposing a conceptual framework that involves these main challengers. In this study, firstly, different main and sub-factors are defined from the literature, and fuzzy Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory method is applied to analyse the causal link between these factors for an effective application.FindingsResults showed that packaging, transportation and shipping, storage specifications and handling practices, inventory management, technical issues and delivery delay are the most affected factors during the sustainable cold supply chain performance in the pharmaceutical industry. This study offers both managerial implications and a roadmap that are designed with a holistic view to guide manufacturer, logistics parties and even policymakers.Originality/valueSome of the studies related to the pharmaceutical industry are monitoring and controlling the temperature in the cold supply chain steps; the other part is the studies where the chain steps are examined with a focus on production or transportation. While these issues are the focus, the requirements and conditions of each stage of the supply chain must be studied for a safe, effective and sustainable cold chain beyond the current global pandemic crisis. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that highlights identifying the potential challengers that affect cold supply chain performance for the pharmaceutical industry both theoretically and empirically, solving the causal relationships among these challengers and designing a holistic framework.

Evaluation of the cold chain of fresh-cut endive from farmer to plate

Traceability technologies have great potential to improve sustainable performance in cold food supply chains by reducing food loss. In existing approaches, traceability technologies are selected either intuitively or through a random approach, that neither considers the trade-off between multiple cost–benefit technology criteria nor systematically translates user requirements for traceability systems into the selection process. This paper presents a hybrid approach combining the fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) with integer linear programming to select the optimum traceability technologies for improving sustainable performance in cold food supply chains. The proposed methodology is applied in four case studies utilising data collected from literature and expert interviews. The proposed approach can assist decision-makers, e.g., food business operators and technology companies, to identify what combination of technologies best suits a given food supply chain scenario and reduces food loss at minimum cost.

Blueberry is one of the most perishable fruits, and the postharvest supply chain environment temperature has great effects on fruit quality. In order to determine the critical steps referring to non-optimal conditions and the key quality indexes in response to temperature along the cold chain, 15 time-temperature scenarios were conducted simultaneously for the storage of blueberry fruits and 17 quality attributes were determined. The results indicated that different cold chain steps under abusing temperatures significantly affected blueberry qualities. Based on the comprehensive evaluation analysis, storage in farm at 8 °C and a 10 h delay in precooling were found to be the critical steps that had strong impacts on the qualities of blueberries, affecting 33 and 31 total qualities during shelf life, respectively. Furthermore, seven effective indexes, including the sensory scores, weight loss, decay rate, content of titratable acid, malondialdehyde, respiratory rate and antioxidant activities, were confirmed to be the key quality attributes influenced by the cold chain temperature. It is necessary to circulate postharvest blueberry fruits under relatively isothermal and optimum temperatures throughout the cold chain to maintain the preferred quality, especially at the initial stage of the supply chain.

The research conducted in the European PASTEUR project focussed on perishables monitoring through smart tracking of lifetime and quality. The aim was to develop a wireless sensor platform to monitor the environmental conditions of perishable goods in the supply chain between producer and consumer. The sensor platform is based on an intelligent RFID package in which multiple sensor technologies are incorporated. By adding such devices to packaging solutions (crates, containers, boxes, etc.) one can guarantee a product's quality more effectively throughout the whole logistic chain. This project focussed on the low-end (e.g., fruit, vegetables) cold supply chain (cooled transport of goods), which eventually enables item management in the near future. Added intelligence comes from the addition of smart models that analyse the information stream from the sensors. By collecting and studying these data, optimization of logistic flows can be achieved resulting in reduction of food losses and thus preserve the environment. Three types of models are included to help evaluating the logistic cold chains. Statistical control models are implemented to check whether the logistic conditions stay within predefined bounds. Keeping quality models are implemented to provide dynamic information on 'best before dates'. Finally, detailed quality change models are implemented to evaluate the impact of the logistic conditions on specific quality attributes in more details. Together, the three types of models provide instruments for streamlining the logistic activities throughout the cold handling chain increasing efficiency and minimizing losses of e.g., fresh fruits and vegetables.

Protecting COVID-19 Vaccine Transportation and Storage from Analog Cybersecurity Threats

Two echelon cold supply chain model is developed in which warehouse and retailer are the two main actors of supply chain. The model is based on energy consumption cost for chiller system and the stochastic lead time. To incorporate the quality degradation, global stability index (GSI) method is used. The objective is to analyze the effect of retailer’s storage temperature and nutritional index weightage on the total cost of supply chain. A breakdown structure of all the associated costs is developed to formulate the total cost of cold chain. A numerical example is used for better understanding. To find the optimal solution, the model is numerically solved by using matlab genetic algorithm. The sensitivity analysis is being performed to study the model behavior against different parameters. Keywords: Cold chain, echelon valuation, quality degradation, global stability index, stochastic lead time

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the perception of the cold chicken meat value in its supply chain and how to manage the influence of quality demands in this supply chain. It is based on the views that retails and restaurants have about the main quality aspects required to meet their end customers.Design/methodology/approachThis paper surveyed 135 respondents from restaurants, butcheries, supermarkets, and convenience stores located in the Southern Brazilian metropolitan area. Principal component analysis followed by quality function deployment was performed to analyze the data.FindingsThe principal component analysis results in seven factors: product quality and flexibility of delivery; supply flexibility; responsiveness to market changes and product assortment; measurements of the inventory and competitiveness; product specificity; product availability and specificity cost; and delivery frequency. The comparative study on the steps of the process between restaurants and retailers shows that distribution, cutting and packaging are the key process steps in this chain.Practical implicationsThe results show what process steps must be prioritized to comply with the customers’ quality requirements. Since the most important process steps are different for different customers, companies may elect what steps require more attention to satisfy the most profitable customer types.Originality/valueSeveral studies are found in the literature that present a theoretical discussion on the quality demands of perishable products. The management of factors related to the process steps can help members of the supply chain in their decision-making processes. The contribution of this research is to identify, by an applied study, how the demanded quality aspects should be considered by the poultry industry to satisfy customers in different market segments.

The Expanded Program on Immunization was designed 40 years ago for two types of vaccines: those that are heat stable but freeze sensitive and those that are stable to freezing but heat labile. A cold chain was developed for transport and storage of such vaccines and established in all countries, despite limited access to resources and electricity in the poorest areas. However, cold chain problems occur in all countries. Recent changes to vaccines and vaccine handling include development and introduction of new vaccines with a wide range of characteristics, improvement of heat stability of several basic vaccines, observation of vaccine freezing as a real threat, development of regulatory pathways for both vaccine development and the supply chain, and emergence of new temperature monitoring devices that can pinpoint and avoid problems. With such tools, public health groups have now encouraged development of vaccines labeled for use in flexible cold chains and these tools should be considered for future systems.

Organized retailing (OZR) is one of the most promising industries in India. The OZR sector of India is now among the top five fastest growing markets of the world. High population, globalization, and the increasing income of middle class etc. are a number of factors that make Indian market more challenging and competitive. In today’s globalized world, effective supply chain performance (SCP) is highly important to ensure the productivity in the whole supply chain (SC). In t his paper, we investigated the factors that affect cold supply chain performance (CSCP) of organized farm products retailing (OFPR), develop and validated a model. This edresearch will be helpful to formulate better strategies for this sector to a greater extent; this model will also be useful and applicable for other developing Asian countries because of enormous similarities in their market tendencies.products