Published 2025-05-27

To meet stringent regulatory requirements while future-proofing its operations, Oriola has chosen to replace its legacy monitoring system with the testo Saveris 1 measurement system. The system, installed at the company’s two sites in Mölnlycke and Enköping, plays a crucial role in ensuring optimal temperatures and humidity in the environments where sensitive medicines and health products are stored.

Oriola plays a central role in Swedish pharmaceutical distribution. The business covers everything from deliveries to pharmacies and hospitals to veterinary clinics and other healthcare institutions. It is a highly regulated industry where guidelines from the Swedish Medical Products Agency, the Swedish Food Agency and the Swedish Board of Agriculture, among others, set the framework. All handling must be done in accordance with GDP (Good Distribution Practice).

– We also have constant audits. Almost every week we are audited by a manufacturer who stores products with us. The customer then wants to see documentation showing that our measuring equipment is validated and calibrated, what settings and procedures we have for alarms, how any deviations are followed up and rectified – and so on,” says Ingemar Järsand, property manager at Oriola.

Hundreds of loggers and sensors
The company’s facilities in Mölnlycke (southeast of Gothenburg) and Enköping (northwest of Stockholm) have a combined storage and logistics area of around 50,000 square meters. Operations in Mölnlycke include an automated high-bay warehouse for pharmaceuticals and health products, and in Enköping there is an automated picking system for repackaging.

The new monitoring system is designed to meet high standards of measurement accuracy, safety and documentation. In Mölnlycke, 155 data loggers have been installed with a total of 220 temperature sensors and 25 humidity sensors. In Enköping, there are 142 data loggers for 180 temperature sensors and 20 humidity sensors. The data loggers are used to monitor a variety of carefully tempered environments.

– The climates in which we store pharmaceutical and healthcare products span a wide range of temperatures: from storing vaccines at -90 degrees to storing pharmaceutical and healthcare products at room temperatures. But whatever the environment, we need to have total control of the climate – around the clock,” says Ingemar Järsand.

Overview and flexibility
The decision to choose testo Saveris 1 was based on several factors. The old monitoring system was wired and required extensive physical installation for changes. The new system is wireless, which makes it much easier to customize and expand the monitoring as the business continuously changes.

– Thanks to the new system, controlled relocation of products can be done quickly and cost-effectively without cabling or major remodeling,” says Ingemar Järsand and continues:
– “The system is also very easy to understand. We use a program for the administration of sensors and alarms, as well as a user-friendly web interface – Cockpit – which we work with daily. Cockpit is very clear and easy to use. When alarms occur, we quickly get an overview and can act before any deviations occur.

The new monitoring system is set to log measurement data every five minutes and alerts in several stages: at an early stage, an alert is sent, allowing Ingemar and colleagues to quickly investigate and fix the problem before an emergency alarm is triggered. This minimizes the risk of product loss and ensures that all climate parameters are within approved limits.

Installation, validation and support
testo Saveris 1 was delivered by Nordtec, who also installed the base station, all data loggers and sensors, and performed a comprehensive and thorough validation of the entire system. During an initial period, a remote desktop solution is used, which means that Nordtec can support Oriola with settings and troubleshooting remotely.

– Everything has gone very smoothly. In addition, the cooperation has been both instructive and fun. We are super happy with the system. It works exactly as it should, is easy to use and makes it easy for us to move temperature and humidity measurements when needed,” says Ingemar.

– This system allows us to confidently meet the requirements of our customers and authorities, both now and in the future. Thanks to Testos Saveris 1 and Nordtec’s support, we have the tools to continue to help ensure that medicines are stored and distributed in perfect condition to healthcare providers and ultimately private individuals who need the products,” concludes Ingemar Järsand.

Published 2024-05-14

There is an increasing demand for IVF treatments worldwide. This means that the medtech company Vitrolife’s growth journey continues. A key prerequisite for further expansion is continuous, safe and accurate climate monitoring in a wide range of environments.

Since its inception in 1994 in Gothenburg, Sweden, Vitrolife has developed into an international company that develops and manufactures products used for in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. In 2011, Vitrolife acquired Igenomix, a leader in reproductive genetic testing mainly for IVF clinics. Together they are now Vitrolife Group, a global leader in reproductive health. Today, the company has manufacturing and laboratory operations in Europe, the United States and Asia. The group employs 1 100 people and is present in nearly 130 markets around the world.

Group management, as well as significant development work and manufacturing, remain in Gothenburg. It produces media, i.e. nutrient solutions that provide embryos with optimal environments during IVF treatments. Other major products are pipettes and aspiration needles of various dimensions used for handling eggs and embryos.

“We measure quite broadly”
– Our products need to be tested and stored safely, which means that we need to keep a close eye on temperatures in particular,” says Mattias Uddén, Head of Technology at Vitrolife.

It involves extensive measurements of temperatures in different refrigeration and freezing environments. Furthermore, heating conditions and humidity are monitored in many incubators, as well as temperature levels in clean rooms and storage areas.

– In other words, we measure quite broadly, says Mattias Uddén.

To keep track of all climates in critical environments, Uddén and his colleagues use the testo Saveris 1 measurement system. The customized system at Vitrolife consists of about 80 deployed data loggers that continuously deliver data from over a hundred measuring points.

Simple and user-friendly
Last fall, Vitrolife decided to upgrade the measurement system. Much of the existing measurement equipment (dating from 2014) was retained and supplemented with the very latest measurement technology from Testo. “Both financially and from a sustainability perspective, it felt good to be able to combine old and new donors,” says Mattias Uddén.

– “What I like about the Saveris system is that it’s easy to understand and user-friendly,” he says and continues:

– We can calibrate equipment ourselves, replace sensors and add new sensors relatively painlessly.

In connection with the update of the measurement system, Nordtec was hired to perform a validation. That is, a comprehensive review of the system down to the smallest detail. Having a validated measurement system feels safe, says Mattias Uddén.

Validation increased knowledge
– After many years of use with moving sensors and documentation that did not quite keep up, it was nice to get the whole system validated. In this way, we can ensure that measurements, data storage and related functions work properly,” says Mattias and continues:

– We now have clear maps of where all the sensors are located and all my technicians have increased their knowledge of the system. It is not locked in that a few can check things out but the whole group can do it.

One of the reasons why Vitrolife has chosen to invest in testo Saveris 1 is the possibility of receiving automatic alarms via SMS and alarms at specified limit values. Stable cooling, freezing and heating climates are essential for the medtech company. The slightest increase or decrease in temperature and humidity is devastating for the quality of IVF products.

– During office hours, we are the technicians who keep track. After 6 p.m., we have an emergency response team that receives any limit value alarms. When it comes to cold rooms, we need to be able to act immediately. That’s why we have chosen to hire an external company that is on call and can respond quickly if necessary,” says Mattias Uddén.

Increased measurement needs for new processes
Although Vitrolife has experienced impressive growth in recent years, it has no plans to slow down. On the contrary, a lot will happen in the coming years. Among other things, large parts of the needle department will be automated and the production volume will increase significantly.

This in turn means an increased need for measurements to ensure optimal climates for new processes and environments. With the testo Saveris 1, Vitrolife is equipped for the future. It is a system that is easy to scale up. Testo also continuously develops all parts of the system, to meet changing market demands.

And if Mattias Uddén needs technical backup, he knows that Nordtec support is just a phone call away.

– I feel that my technicians receive quick help and that they “talk in a farmer’s way”, so that everyone understands. Everything is going incredibly smoothly!

Published 2022-08-10

ClinStorage has found a growing niche in the pharmaceutical industry. In meticulously controlled warehouses, they store the medicines of the future. The company uses the validated testo Saveris 1 computerized remote monitoring system to ensure that any temperature changes in refrigerators and freezers can be detected and acted upon quickly.

– Having full control of temperatures is essential for us, says Sven Jacobsson of ClinStorage. Sven runs ClinStorage together with Ola Camber. Sven has a PhD in analytical chemistry and Ola in pharmacy (drug development). Both previously worked in senior positions at major pharmaceutical companies such as Pharmacia and AstraZeneca.

– We discovered that solving how to handle and store investigational medicinal products and different active substances correctly and reliably was not a trivial task. It is often difficult for many smaller biotech companies to solve this,” says Sven.

High interest in pharmaceutical storage
In 2008, Sven Jacobsson and Ola Camber started ClinStorage. It quickly became apparent that there was great interest among mainly smaller pharmaceutical companies to get help with storage that meets the authorities’ high standards. ClinStorage has grown steadily and currently employs six people in a 300 square meter, specially designed warehouse in Solna, just north of Stockholm. The customers are drug development companies in Sweden and the other Nordic countries.

– In addition to storage, we also coordinate and manage transportation in cooperation with established freight forwarders. We are what you would call a one stop shop,” says Sven.

The choice fell on the testo Saveris 1
In order to get even better control of all temperature levels, Sven Jacobsson and Ola Camber decided a few years ago to invest in a digitalized, validatable monitoring system for pharmaceutical storage. Together with a consultant, they compared various systems on the market before finally choosing testo Saveris 1, which today monitors the temperatures in some 30 rooms, refrigerators, freezers, tanks and thermoses via a large number of loggers. The system is also connected to the diesel power plant that ClinStorage has as a backup to ensure safe 24/7 operations.

– Everything is working well and we are very satisfied. What was crucial was that we have been able to validate the system and have an annual calibration of all measuring equipment. This provides us with reliable data and also good documentation to show when we are inspected by authorities or customers who want to see details of how the temperature monitoring is structured and what procedures are in place for different scenarios.

Validation ensures functionality
Shortly after Nordtec has installed and commissioned testo Saveris 1 for ClinStorage, a validation of the entire monitoring system was carried out. This is to ensure that the system meets the requirements specification. It was an extensive and thorough review, to say the least. Every single detail was tested and evaluated. Nordtec’s representative checked that measurement data cannot be manipulated, that all interactions in the system can be traced, that alarm levels on all sensors work, that every employee at ClinStorage has the right authorization, that all alarms work as they should, that all measurement data is collected and stored securely (with backups) – just to name a few examples.

What exactly are you storing?
– Investigational medicinal products. That is, before a medicine is approved by the authorities to be prescribed by doctors and sold commercially, it goes through a series of clinical tests to demonstrate efficacy and examine the risk of side effects. While this is being done, the medicine should be stored in the same conditions as the finished medicine, so that it is not affected and retains its properties,” says Sven:

– A finished medicine, such as a vaccine, can consist of a large number of components such as excipients and carrier systems. Each such component, or pharmaceutical material as it is often called, requires storage at a certain specified temperature.

What temperatures are involved?
– We have everything from ultra-low temperatures like minus 196 (!) degrees (in the gas phase above liquid nitrogen) to storing pharmaceutical materials at plus 30 degrees. To cope with this wide range of temperatures, we need highly accurate and calibrated measuring equipment to read the correct temperatures.

How long do you store the medicines?
– These range from temporary storage of three to six months to storage for up to ten years. This means we need easy access to digital temperature data over a long period of time. Because if there is a problem in the clinical trial, you want to be able to go back and look at what the temperature curve looked like maybe five years ago when you started to store the drug.

Do you see any trends in the pharmaceutical industry?
– There is an increasing focus on advanced therapy medicinal products, which is the umbrella term for cell, gene and tissue therapies. In other words, biology is more like medicine, for example by adding a cell that can attack a cancerous tumor or a genetic code that allows the body to develop a defense. An obvious, current and clear trend is the Covid-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNtech and Moderna, which add the macromolecule mRNA so that the body can develop an antibody repository against generated spike proteins. These groups of products also have in common that they require significantly lower temperatures for storage and distribution compared to traditional medicines. We at ClinStorage are at the forefront of providing such storage and distribution solutions.

What are you aiming for next?
– We have developed a new service where we label and pack medicines to be sent to clinical trials. We have recently been inspected by the Swedish Medical Products Agency and hope to be certified for this type of handling in the near future. In terms of space, we have the capacity to grow for the next few years, but if the growth continues unabated, we will probably need a more large-scale expansion. Whether this can be done in our existing premises or in new facilities remains to be seen.

Published 2022-05-11

Kronobergs Kylteknik sees great potential for Celsicom Easy Connect in the food industry. It is a very affordable extra security for many different food companies, says refrigeration technician Marcus Danielsson. One of them is Lohilo, which has two smart meter boxes monitoring its 1,200 square meter main freezer warehouse of protein ice cream, including the best-selling Damn.

– “When we heard about the Celsicom system, it seemed almost too simple to be true,” says Caroline Andersson, Supply Chain Manager at Lohilo.

According to Marcus Danielsson, it is precisely the simplicity of installing and commissioning the measuring boxes and the ease of use that makes Celsicom Easy Connect an attractive solution for many in the food industry. This is a target group that he and his colleagues at Kronobergs Kylteknik know well. Almost half of their refrigeration jobs are with food customers.

– The Celsciom Easy Connect is perfect for small and medium-sized food businesses that have up to 10-15 items that they need to get indications of if temperatures skyrocket. For example, a restaurant can quickly and easily get surveillance of cold storage rooms where their high value items are located.

– For restaurants, self-monitoring is also facilitated, which means that once a day they have to check and record the temperature in each cold store. With Celsicom Easy Connect, they only need to go in and check the logging history.

Extra security with SMS alarms
The fact that the meter boxes are, as mentioned, easy to install is something Marcus points out several times during the conversation. Since the boxes transmit all the data themselves, there is no need to access the customer’s WiFi network, which is an advantage as more and more companies are becoming restrictive about letting external players into their networks.

One or more measurement boxes can also be added to an existing control system as an additional security measure and send automatic SMS alarms if specified limits are exceeded. Moreover, and more importantly, Celsicom Easy Connect is a very cost-effective solution,” emphasizes Marcus Danielsson.

– What’s more, you get a lot for your money. For, say, two Celsicom Easy Connect boxes, you’ll pay just under 40 SEK per month. Alternative monitoring solutions on the market cost significantly more.

It was the low price combined with simplicity that caught Lohilo’s interest. The company, whose headquarters and warehouse are located in the Nylanda logistics area just outside Växjö, Sweden, markets protein ice cream that has attracted great interest both in Sweden and in countries such as Finland, the UK and China. The ice cream is produced by external producers and then stored in Lohilo’s own large freezer, which consists of a deep storage area with 1 200-1 400 pallet spaces and a picking area with about 100 pallets.

– It is extremely important for us to have good control of our temperatures, says Caroline Andersson, Supply Chain Manager at Lohilo.

Caroline explains that Lohilo previously had a monitoring system with a credit card solution, but found this a bit cumbersome and decided to look for a more flexible solution. Lohilo contacted Kronobergs Kylteknik, who presented several systems that were quite costly to install and were therefore not relevant.

– Then they proposed Celsicom Easy Connect, which was a very simple solution and at the same time did not involve any major costs for us. We get a good overview with everything in one place with access to both history and live temperatures.

Celsicom Easy Connect is particularly valuable right now for Lohilo as they are getting certified to meet the criteria of the BRC Storage and Distribution standard where, yes, continuous temperature control is a key point.

What is the optimal temperature for storing ice cream?
– The temperature in the ice cream store should ideally be at minus 23 degrees. This is when the ice cream is at its best and retains all its properties. It is said that ice cream melts at minus 18. It doesn’t really go bad, but if the temperature stays there for a while and if it even gets a little warmer, ice crystals can form and the quality of the ice cream will deteriorate.

Lohilo has set the alarm limit at minus 18 degrees. If the temperature reaches this value, Celsicom Easy Connect sends an alarm directly to both Caroline and Kronobergs Kylteknik, so that the error can be quickly corrected to prevent the warmer temperature from affecting the ice cream.

What is the trend for your ice creams?
– We have had very steady and high growth for our protein ice creams. Especially when it comes to our bestseller Damn, which is a vanilla ice cream with caramel balls and a coating of chocolate,” says Caroline.
She says that the demand for Damn is so great that the ice cream barely has time to reach the freezer before it goes out again for delivery to stores across the country. As well as being vanishingly tasty, more and more people are attracted by its healthiness and high protein content.

– Damn and our other ice creams are sold in smaller packages. The idea is that, in principle, you should be able to eat an ice cream a day without feeling that you have eaten something unhealthy. In addition, our ice creams also contain nutrients such as collagen, a substance that is good for the skin and hair.

Ice cream that is beneficial to both the inside and outside is thus the recipe for success for Lohilo.