5 Questions for Environmental Monitoring Maintenance

5 Key Questions for Easy Environmental Monitoring System Maintenance

Handling preventative maintenance for your cloud-based environmental monitoring system can feel like a daunting task, and with modern platforms like DicksonOne it’s simpler than you think. 

A proper system setup is the first step, and following a few key best practices ensures your system remains reliable, compliant, and continuously audit-ready for the long haul.

This blog outlines five key questions to ask to ensure you’re being proactive about your environmental monitoring system maintenance.

1. When Should We Review Our Alarm Template Associations?

A periodic review of your alarm templates is critical to ensure that all new or moved equipment is correctly associated with the proper alert thresholds. Different assets require unique alarm settings to maintain compliance with regulatory standards and manufacturer guidelines.

Key items to check include:

Vaccines and Medications: Verify alarm templates are set within their specific storage temperature and humidity ranges according to OEM specifications. 

Blood Products: Ensure alarm thresholds for refrigerators and freezers meet strict FDA and AABB standards.

Medical Devices: Confirm that equipment alarms are set according to OEM specifications.

This review ensures that a temperature sensor moved to a new location is triggering the correct alerts. Many organizations incorporate a monthly or quarterly alarm review into their SOPs. To make this process seamless, DicksonOne features an alarm coverage report that simplifies the entire review.

2. How Should We Inspect Our Data Loggers and Sensors?

Proper data logger maintenance is straightforward and essential for device longevity and data accuracy. Your routine check should include these simple steps:

Visual Inspection: Regularly check the data logger’s casing for any cracks or damage that could compromise the internal components.

Clean Gently: Use only a slightly damp cloth to wipe down the exterior. Avoid harsh chemicals or cleaning wipes because they can damage a temperature sensor or humidity sensor, leading to inaccurate readings.

Monitor Alerts: Keep an eye on system notifications for “not reporting” or “low battery,” which can help you proactively troubleshoot network or power issues.

3. How Should We Handle Software and Firmware Updates?

Keeping your system’s software and firmware up-to-date is crucial for security, performance, and access to new features. Because every organization has different IT policies, Dickson offers two options for updates to provide maximum flexibility:

Automatic Updates: Allow updates to happen automatically “over-the-air” as they are released, ensuring your system is always running the latest version with no manual intervention.

Manual Updates: Elect to manage and release the firmware updates manually, which gives your IT team full control over the timing and deployment.

4. How Often Do Our Sensors Need To Be Calibrated?

When it comes to data accuracy and meeting regulatory compliance, regular sensor calibration is essential. To stay on top of this critical task and prevent “measurement drift,” be sure to:

Calibrate Annually: Follow the best practice of annual calibration, or adhere to your specific industry’s requirements.

Monitor Proactively: Use your DicksonOne dashboard or schedule a monthly report for an at-a-glance overview of your devices’ calibration statuses.

Eliminate Downtime: Simplify the process by using Dickson’s replaceable sensors, which remove the logistical headaches of sending devices off-site for calibration.

5. How Can We Get Maintenance Support If We Need It?

Managing comprehensive humidity monitoring and remote temperature monitoring systems is an ongoing responsibility that can strain internal resources. If your team is stretched thin, our flexible, tiered Expert Care Solutions are designed to ease the workload with:

Global 24/7 Hotline Assistance:

Our 24/7 Care Plan puts you in touch with Dickson’s expert support team any time, day or night, with a dedicated phone line reserved for customers.

Total Care: Comprehensive Remote Support:

This plan gives you access to a full range of services, including: 

• Self-guided videos, unlimited setup, and on-demand training
• Cloud updates and validation documentation
• Extended warranties on loggers and gateways 
• Annual system checkups

UltraCare: White Glove Service and Support:

Our premium UltraCare plan includes: 

• On-site installation and training
• Annual Train-the-Trainer session
• Annual battery replacement and sensor calibration 
• Full Suite of remote services
• White glove support model

UltraCare + Validation: Full Service Care:

For the highest service level, UltraCare + Validation adds IQ/OQ protocol development and execution for regulated environments to ensure audit readiness while easing your team’s compliance workload.

By building these five simple practices into your routine, you can ensure your monitoring program remains a reliable, effective, and stress-free tool for protecting your most critical assets.

Learn more about Dickson’s Expert Care program and our Calibration, Installation, and Validation services, or contact us with any questions.