One of the most important innovations of the last decade is the Internet of Things (IoT) technology, which allows devices and systems to be connected to the Internet, enabling uninterrupted data transfer between components. This technology helps various industries, including food and medicine, improve their quality and safety by controlling and managing products better. In the following, the Vira team will investigate the role of IoT in these industries and then introduce the Vira system and its role in monitoring the health of food and pharmaceuticals.
Applications of Internet of Things in the food industry
The food industry will benefit from IoT due to the sensitive nature of the products and the need to store them under certain conditions. This technology can help improve product quality, reduce waste, and optimize supply chain management.
1. Monitoring the supply chain
One of the important applications of the Internet of Things in the food industry is to monitor the supply chain. Using sensors connected to the Internet, information such as temperature, humidity, and environmental conditions are received and analyzed instantly. This information is collected in all stages of production, transportation, and storage and helps to manage products better.
2. Reducing waste and improving quality
Since the Internet of Things provides the possibility of constant monitoring, in case of any deviation from the desired conditions, necessary warnings are sent to managers. These warnings help to reduce corruption and waste of products and improve the quality and freshness of products throughout the supply chain.
Internet of things applications in the pharmaceutical industry
Using the Internet of Things, the pharmaceutical industry has been able to improve its efficiency and monitor more closely the conditions of storage and distribution of drugs. The use of this technology helps prevent the corruption and destruction of medicines and provides greater security for consumers.
1. Monitoring the storage conditions of medicines
Medicines need to be stored at a certain temperature and humidity due to their high sensitivity. By transmitting information about the conditions of drug storage, IoT sensors help to better manage drugs in warehouses and transport refrigerators and prevent drug corruption.
2. Tracking and identification of counterfeit drugs
Another advantage of the Internet of Things in the pharmaceutical industry is the possibility of tracking and identifying drugs. By using QR and RFID codes connected to the Internet, information about drugs can be accessed and allow the identification of counterfeit drugs from the original.
The challenges of using the Internet of Things in the food and drug industries
Despite the countless advantages of the Internet of Things, the use of this technology in some countries is associated with challenges such as problems with the Internet and communication infrastructure, high implementation costs, and data security. For example, in a country like Iran, internet problems and lack of full signal coverage can prevent the full implementation of IoT systems. This is where alternative solutions or combinations of technologies become important.
Introducing Vira smart labels: innovation in food and drug health monitoring
Vira Smart Label is a biosensor-based solution whose main goal is to closely monitor the health status and quality of food and pharmaceutical products at all stages of the supply chain. Using smart labels placed on product packaging, this system evaluates the product’s environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and the time it has been placed in a personalized way for each product, and by changing the color of the label, the status It visually shows the health of the product. The difference between Vira smart tags and IoT systems is that these tags are not constantly connected to the Internet and do not require complex Internet infrastructure. In the following, the differences and advantages of each system are examined in detail.
Smart label functionality and the role of the Vira platform
Vira labels are a type of biosensor that senses specific changes in the environment inside the product packaging, and the color of the label changes depending on the environmental conditions. This color change provides information about product freshness and health, which is especially useful for perishables such as temperature-sensitive foods and drugs. Each time the tag is scanned, the corresponding information is sent to the Vira platform via the user’s system’s Internet. This platform is a web-based system that analyzes and stores the information received from scans and displays information about the status of products to managers in a user-friendly way.
Special features of the Vira platform
By collecting scanned data, the Vira platform creates a comprehensive and accurate view of the status of products at each stage of the supply chain. This platform provides the following features to users:
- Displaying the health status of the products: The data received from the scanning of the labels are displayed in special colors that make the status of the product easily recognizable. For example, purple color represents freshness, gray color represents healthiness and proximity to corruption, and yellow color represents corruption.
- Data collection and storage at different stages of the supply chain: Vira tags are scanned at several stages of the chain, from loading to delivery to distribution centers and stores. These scans provide information for rapid identification of spoiled products, critical points in the chain and prevention of food and drug wastage.
- Use in areas with Internet and communication problems: While IoT-based systems require a permanent connection to the Internet, Vira tags do not have this feature and can still function in areas where the Internet is weak or unstable. This feature can be very useful, especially in countries like Iran where the nationwide internet coverage is not strong.
Comparison of the Vira system with the Internet of Things
1. Comparison of Internet requirements
In IoT-based systems, sensors are constantly connected to the Internet and send information to a central server, but in the Vera system, there is no need for a permanent connection. Instead, information is sent to the server only when the product is scanned. This not only reduces the cost of internet connection but it can still be used in areas where the internet connection is not stable.
2. Implementation costs compared to the Internet of Things
IoT systems are typically more expensive due to the need for more sophisticated internet infrastructure and sensors. Meanwhile, Vira smart tags are known as a less expensive solution because they are easily implemented in the supply chain using biosensors and a manual scanning system and do not require heavy investment in internet infrastructure and technology.
3. Data stability and security on the Internet of Things
One of the big concerns of IoT is data security. In IoT, due to the constant transfer of data to central servers, there is a possibility of hacker penetration and access to sensitive information. Since the smart platform of Vira connects to the Internet only during scanning and the information is collected indirectly and manually, the risk of intrusion and data theft is less, which makes this system more secure.
The benefits of using Vira smart labels in the food and drug industries
With its special advantages, the Vira system solves many challenges in the supply chain of the food and pharmaceutical industries. Some of these benefits are:
- Ability to work in areas with weak or unstable internet: Vira tags only transmit information when they are scanned, which makes them more resistant to communication problems.
- Effective observation and monitoring of products sensitive to temperature and environmental conditions: Smart biosensors inside the packages monitor the environmental conditions and product quality accurately and directly.
- Quick warning and reduction of waste: by changing the color of the label, you can quickly notice the condition of the product and, if necessary, take preventive measures to prevent product spoilage.
- Improved supply chain management: By using the scanned data on the Vera platform, companies can analyze the status of products in detail and plan better to manage inventory and improve their supply chain.
- Increasing consumer trust: Providing consumers with clear information about product quality and storage conditions through smart labels helps to increase consumer trust.
Conclusion
Internet of Things technology with its high potential helps the food and drug industries to better monitor and manage products. However, Internet-related challenges and implementation costs have led some countries to turn to alternative solutions. With its unique features, such as the possibility of manual scanning and not depending on a permanent Internet connection, the Vira smart tag system is known as a cost-effective and practical solution. This system can help reduce waste, improve quality, and increase consumer confidence in products. Due to the advantages of this system, the Vira smart label can be an efficient and intelligent alternative to monitor the quality of products in areas where IoT is limited.
Important questions and answers from the article
- What are the uses of IoT technology in the food industry?
IoT helps control the temperature and humidity of products in the supply chain, reducing waste and improving quality. - Why is the use of IoT facing challenges in some countries?
Internet problems, high costs, and security issues can be challenges for IoT implementation. - What are the advantages of Vira smart label compared to IoT?
These tags do not require a permanent connection to the Internet and can be used in areas with weak Internet. - How does the Vira platform help to track products?
The Vira platform collects information about Vira biosensors and managers can access the status of the products. - What is the main difference between Vira biosensors and IoT sensors?
Vira biosensors work by changing color instead of sending real-time data and transmitting information only through scanning.