How BioTrans Transformed their Service and Reliability
Real-time temperature monitoring, custom alerts, and consolidated video visibility help BioTrans deliver an exceptional experience for their customers.
Meet BioTrans
The loss of temperature-sensitive cargo could cost up to $20,000 per load
BioTrans is a leading provider of logistics services for the Laboratory Research transportation industry in North America. Because BioTrans transports temperature-sensitive cargo (research models) for their clients, they need precise control over the temperature of each vehicle’s cargo hold throughout delivery. A variance of just a few degrees can have a significant impact on the integrity of a load, and each classification type requires a specific temperature range—posing a complex logistical challenge.
Prior to Samsara, BioTrans’ quality control (QC) team could only effectively monitor temperatures for eight hours per day when someone was on shift. During the other 16 hours, drivers would not receive out-of-range temperature alerts, leading to cargo loss that cost BioTrans anywhere between $2,000 to $20,000 and damaged customer relationships.
A comprehensive platform provides critical visibility into deliveries and verifies proper protocols
Sharing Samsara’s vision of a fully connected operation, BioTrans deployed Samsara Vehicle Gateways, AI Dash Cams, Environmental Monitors (EMs), Door Monitors, Cargo Monitors, and Site Visibility across their operations. In just the first six months with Samsara, BioTrans has already automated a critical workflow for their business: temperature monitoring.
Leveraging Samsara’s open API, BioTrans created a custom “Compartment Report” tile within the Driver App that allows drivers to quickly upload cargo details, including the content being transported and its required temperature range. This data is instantly uploaded and emailed to their dispatch, QA, and operations departments, enabling their team to verify critical trip information without time-consuming phone calls.
Tapping into Samsara’s platform approach, they also built a custom bot that has fully automated their temperature alerting. TempBot automatically reads the “Compartment Report” data submitted by drivers via the Driver App, then applies the correct alert for that load’s specific temperature range. Since it is fully integrated with Samsara, TempBot can trigger alerts based on real-time temperature data from Samsara EMs. If a temperature is out of range, TempBot deciphers the truck number and driver associated with the truck, then automatically notifies the corresponding manager and QA department via an automated text and phone call.
This temperature data provides powerful peace of mind for clients, especially when paired with footage from Site Visibility, now deployed across 20+ BioTrans warehouses. This gives both the internal back-office team and external clients the ability to see exactly how cargo is being handled. “We [can] confirm if our drivers’ behavior are in alignment with our expectations. Now we can ensure that our clients have the coverage and visibility to see what’s happening with their cargo,” says Jay Eaves, Director of Compliance and Quality.
Using the videos captured by Site Visibility, administrators can easily scrub through footage to review moments of interest. Now, they no longer need to manually and passively sift through days of footage. “Before I sat for hours trying to find what we needed. Now it only takes a few minutes, since Samsara picks up any kind of movement and marks them,” said Alan Schlossberg, Information Technology Coordinator. “I can skip all the dead space and quickly see what’s happening.”
Improved visibility & automated alerts lead to successful delivery
Less than six months into their deployment of Samsara, BioTrans has already seen significant benefits. BioTrans realized massive improvements in internal efficiencies, using the Driver App to streamline communication between drivers and the back office. As a result, they have seen a decrease in internal calls, emails, and other requests for delivery updates since they now have dash cam footage, telematics data, and reliable trip histories. Furthermore, with real-time and historical footage into every shipment captured by Site Visibility, they are able to reduce time spent reviewing video footage from hours to a few minutes.
By layering the real-time temperature alerts of EMs with the complete coverage of Site Visibility, BioTrans now has a full picture into driver performance and quality assurance. BioTrans is now able to monitor the temperature of their cargo as well as how it’s being handled from loading through delivery—all on one integrated dashboard. Now, they are able to decrease their response time for out-of-range temperatures in the cargo area, while the enhanced visibility has improved customer satisfaction and streamlined cargo delivery. Together, EMs and Site Visibility led to successful delivery for loads that range in value from $2,000 to $20,000 each.
“We have already seen exceptional results in safety, efficiency, and visibility across our fleet and sites,” said Jon Gacek, Fleet Manager. “We look to continue these improvements by leveraging the many features and benefits of the Samsara to ultimately make us the industry leader in our business—and provide the absolute best possible customer delivery experience.”
