5 Factors to Consider When Choosing Cold Chain Programs

Choosing a cold chain program is a big decision, so you can’t afford to get something that won’t work for you.

Cold chain logistics is something that most businesses in the food industry deal with. Maintaining perishable products is a complicated process, but a cold chain program can help a business monitor everything without wasting goods.

Finding an efficient cold chain program will take some time, but knowing factors to consider will make the process easier. We’ve put together a list of things for you to think about so that you can get something that will improve your cold chain.

Here are five factors to consider when choosing cold chain programs.

1. Customizability

When choosing a cold chain program, one of the main things you’ll need to focus on is customizability. This is a problem that many businesses run into because they invest in programs that won’t work with their products.

For example, a company could have a unique supply chain that can’t be addressed in their software. If you have perishable goods, you need a program that will consider that and make appropriate adjustments. Without one, you won’t be able to run your businesses effectively and may lose a lot of products.

Another industry that has a problem with its cold chain programs are pharmaceutical companies. Their finished products come from raw products that must be used on time. Providing that they produce everything in proper conditions, they can launch safe products for customers.

When you get a cold chain program, you’ll want something that lets you make a plethora of changes. You should be able to alter the program to match your goals and timelines. If a program doesn’t offer features like this, forget it and look for another.

2. Compatibility

As you’re searching for cold chain options, you must narrow your choices down to those that will work on your current computers and system. Many modern computers shouldn’t have a problem running a cold chain program, but it can take a toll on a computer’s processor when doing advanced tasks.

If your business is using an ERP system for management, your cold chain program must integrate with it. A seamless experience is crucial if you’d like to keep everyone on the same page. This will also prevent things from being delayed.

Keep in mind that your ERP system is the central part of your business. You can switch a cold chain program without affecting the entire system, but it’s best to stick with something that works.

You must also look into how the cold chain program works with suppliers, vendors, and shippers. Whether you’re looking for vehicles for shipment or want to find a location for deliveries, your program should work with their systems.

Your main goal should be finding a cold chain program that works with everyone’s systems seamlessly. This will be difficult, but it isn’t impossible.

3. Consider What You Need

Supply chain management is a critical part of most companies. You’ll need to think about your business and the things you need. From there, you can look for an appropriate cold chain program to help you get things done.

Try to avoid programs that come with a plethora of features that you won’t use. This will do nothing for you but cause you to spend more money on a program that won’t mean much to you. Instead, get something that offers precisely what you need.

This will not only let you save money, but you’ll also get something that will be easier to understand. Having many extra features will make the program harder to get used to, and you’ll be more likely to make accidental changes that could affect your cold chain.

4. Reliability

No matter what kind of cold chain program you’re looking for, you must ensure that there’s a reliable vendor behind it. This will prevent you from spending money on a product that doesn’t work.

When you find a program that interests you, look into the company that launched it to see if they’re reputable. Providing that many people know about them and have purchased their products, you shouldn’t have a problem when buying a program.

Try to avoid newer vendors because they haven’t had enough time to build a reputation. Even when a company has good reviews, look into the feedback of the programs you’re interested in to see if they’re worth the money.

5. Have Realistic Goals

One of the main cold chain logistics challenges that businesses have is not setting realistic goals. This is necessary because you’ll need something that can help you meet those goals when you’re looking for a cold chain program.

Figuring out what you need in a program will help you make realistic goals that can be achieved. Don’t opt for the first program you see just because it looks promising.

Think of a cold chain program as a potential business partner. You’ll need someone compatible with you and can offer cold chain benefits. Doing some research will help you improve your cold chain, which will result in enhancing your business.

Start Looking for Cold Chain Programs Today

Now that you have a better understanding of what to consider when choosing cold chain programs, we encourage you to start looking for some today. Put together a list of various programs to compare, then figure out which one would be the best for your business.

Contact Sun Leaf today to learn more about how we can benefit your cold chain program!