Samsara Case Studies J. Polep Distribution Ensures Food Safety with Samsara’s Temperature Monitoring for Fleets

Edit This Case Study Record

	J. Polep Distribution Ensures Food Safety with Samsara’s Temperature Monitoring for Fleets Samsara

J. Polep Distribution Ensures Food Safety with Samsara’s Temperature Monitoring for Fleets

Samsara

Technology Category	Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems Networks & Connectivity - Gateways Sensors - Temperature Sensors
Applicable Industries	Food & Beverage
Applicable Functions	Logistics & Transportation Warehouse & Inventory Management
Use Cases	Fleet Management Geofencing Predictive Maintenance Remote Asset Management
Services	System Integration
Challenge	Jon Lasko, Director of Transportation, identified a significant opportunity for improvement in J. Polep's cold chain procedures. The loading dock staff was using temperature guns combined with a 2G trailer tracking application to read temperatures of their multi-temp trailers before loading food shipments. The inaccuracy of the guns and the trailer tracking solution with long-delayed reporting and off-hours alerts disturbing staff while at home were major issues. Lasko knew there had to be a better way to ensure food safety and quality. Read More
About Customer	The Polep family has been in the distribution business for over a century. Originally known as Polep Tobacco Company, it was founded by Charles Polep in 1898 in Salem, Massachusetts. Over five generations, J. Polep has acquired companies, expanded product lines, and added programs to service the convenience store industry. Jeff Polep, President and owner, attributes the success of his company to a dedicated staff, a loyal customer base, and superior customer service. Read More
Solution	Lasko decided to try Samsara after hearing about it through a distributor. His team installed Samsara AG15 Trailer-Tracking Gateways on each reefer trailer and placed EM11 wireless temperature sensors in each compartment—frozen and cooler. Deployment was simple, with each sensor installed in minutes due to the lack of wiring. Instead of using temperature guns, the loading dock staff now checks Samsara to ensure that each compartment is at the correct temperature before loading. The temperature readings are continuously recorded and visible in real-time, eliminating the need for manual measurements and recordkeeping. If a door is left open for too long and the temperature rises, Samsara's alerts instantly notify the J. Polep team via email and SMS, allowing them to correct the issue and save potentially thousands of dollars of food from spoiling. The alerts are set up to notify the specific person working that shift, ensuring that employees are not disturbed during off-hours. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems

Networks & Connectivity - Gateways

Sensors - Temperature Sensors

Applicable Industries

Food & Beverage

Applicable Functions

Logistics & Transportation

Warehouse & Inventory Management

Use Cases

Fleet Management

Geofencing

Predictive Maintenance

Remote Asset Management

Services

System Integration

Challenge

Jon Lasko, Director of Transportation, identified a significant opportunity for improvement in J. Polep's cold chain procedures. The loading dock staff was using temperature guns combined with a 2G trailer tracking application to read temperatures of their multi-temp trailers before loading food shipments. The inaccuracy of the guns and the trailer tracking solution with long-delayed reporting and off-hours alerts disturbing staff while at home were major issues. Lasko knew there had to be a better way to ensure food safety and quality.

About Customer

The Polep family has been in the distribution business for over a century. Originally known as Polep Tobacco Company, it was founded by Charles Polep in 1898 in Salem, Massachusetts. Over five generations, J. Polep has acquired companies, expanded product lines, and added programs to service the convenience store industry. Jeff Polep, President and owner, attributes the success of his company to a dedicated staff, a loyal customer base, and superior customer service.

Solution

Lasko decided to try Samsara after hearing about it through a distributor. His team installed Samsara AG15 Trailer-Tracking Gateways on each reefer trailer and placed EM11 wireless temperature sensors in each compartment—frozen and cooler. Deployment was simple, with each sensor installed in minutes due to the lack of wiring. Instead of using temperature guns, the loading dock staff now checks Samsara to ensure that each compartment is at the correct temperature before loading. The temperature readings are continuously recorded and visible in real-time, eliminating the need for manual measurements and recordkeeping. If a door is left open for too long and the temperature rises, Samsara's alerts instantly notify the J. Polep team via email and SMS, allowing them to correct the issue and save potentially thousands of dollars of food from spoiling. The alerts are set up to notify the specific person working that shift, ensuring that employees are not disturbed during off-hours.

Impact #1	Data-logging sensors replace manual temperature checking, saving the team hundreds of hours per year.
Impact #2	Instant alerting pinpoints out-of-spec temperatures and notifies the right team member during the right shift.
Impact #3	Geofencing notifies the yard staff when a vehicle is approaching so they can prepare the loading dock.

Impact #1

Data-logging sensors replace manual temperature checking, saving the team hundreds of hours per year.

Impact #2

Instant alerting pinpoints out-of-spec temperatures and notifies the right team member during the right shift.

Impact #3

Geofencing notifies the yard staff when a vehicle is approaching so they can prepare the loading dock.

Benefit #1	Saved hundreds of hours per year by replacing manual temperature checking with data-logging sensors.
Benefit #2	Potentially saved thousands of dollars by preventing food spoilage through instant alerts.

Benefit #1

Saved hundreds of hours per year by replacing manual temperature checking with data-logging sensors.

Benefit #2

Potentially saved thousands of dollars by preventing food spoilage through instant alerts.

Download PDF Version

Overview

J. Polep Distribution Ensures Food Safety with Samsara’s Temperature Monitoring for Fleets

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit