Who is France Colis Santé?
France Colis Santé is the leading provider of specialised medical transport in France. Its fleet of over 300 multi-temperature vehicles transports blood products, biological samples and organs every day on behalf of the French Blood Establishment (EFS).
To monitor the cold chain from -28°C to +36°C, the company relies on JRI. It deploys Nova SPY data loggers, the Nova CELL gateway and the Nova VISU in-cab display, all connected to the JRI-MySirius cloud platform.
A matter of life and death: when a temperature fluctuation can cost a life
Sébastien Cano has been in charge of operations at France Colis Santé for 12 years. He knows better than anyone the consequences of a break in the cold chain in medical transport.
France Colis Santé’s temperature range is amongst the widest in the sector. It spans from -28°C for frozen blood products up to +36°C for certain urgent deliveries. Vehicles are configured as single, dual, triple or quadruple-temperature units depending on each client’s requirements. Each temperature-controlled compartment must maintain its target temperature precisely, from departure right through to delivery.
Compliance with Good Distribution Practices (GDP) and the ISO 9001 standard requires full temperature traceability. Every measurement must be recorded. Every anomaly must be documented and reported in real time.
“In our line of work, a temperature deviation can have significant impacts and serious consequences for patients and the products we transport. At the slightest deviation from the specified temperature range, products may be placed in quarantine and then destroyed. In the case of patient tests, a deviation can skew the results. When transporting blood products, a deviation may mean a patient cannot receive a transfusion, potentially leading toa worsening of their medical condition.”
Sébastien Cano, Operations Director, France Colis Santé
Multi-temperature cold chain monitoring across 300 vehicles
France Colis Santé secures its cold chain by installing Nova SPY data loggers inside every thermostatically controlled compartment. The Nova CELL gateway transmits measurements to JRI-MySirius in real time. The Nova VISU display immediately alerts the driver in the cab via audible and visual signals. This setup covers -28°C to +36°C across all 300 vehicles in the fleet.
The number of Nova SPY units deployed is tailored to the number of compartments in each vehicle. Each temperature zone is therefore covered by a dedicated measurement point, regardless of the truck’s specification.
The Nova CELL gateway transmits data to JRI-MySirius. Its backup memory ensures that no measurements are lost when passing through areas with no signal. The built-in high-sensitivity GPS receiver enables the geolocation tracking of each vehicle throughout the country.
The Nova SPY units are robust enough to withstand the rigours of heavy-duty road transport. Their polycarbonate construction is resistant to impacts and vibrations. They have a battery life of up to 6 years, and their operating range extends from -40°C to +80°C, more than meeting the needs of France Colis Santé.
The Nova VISU display: on-site responsiveness that makes all the difference
The Nova VISU display, fitted to the dashboard, shows the temperatures of all the chambers in real time. It displays data from up to 7 data loggers simultaneously, with a resolution of 0.1°C. As soon as a threshold is exceeded, it triggers a visual alert (flashing LED) and an audible alert (buzzer). The driver is immediately informed, without relying on external communication.
“The in-cab display is essential for us. It gives drivers a direct, real-time view of their temperatures. And it means they can see the alarm, both visually and audibly. This enables them to take immediate action in consultation with management and in coordination with the unit controllers.”
The Nova VISU also features an on-board messaging system. The driver can send one of 16 pre-programmed messages directly to the supervisor. Alarm thresholds can be adjusted directly via the display. This comprehensive set of features enhances coordination between field staff and management from the very first seconds of a thermal alert.
Even in areas with no network coverage, the Nova VISU continues to display temperatures in real time and alerts the driver if thresholds are exceeded
Measurable results, flawless compliance
The roll-out of the JRI solution has resulted in tangible results.
France Colis Santé has a 99 per cent compliance rate with transport temperature requirements. Real-time data transmission covers 100 per cent of the fleet.
These results strengthen the company’s credibility in EFS tenders and during ISO 9001 quality audits.
Operational value is also measured in the day-to-day work of the teams. Sébastien Cano puts it very clearly.
“The major development in transport and day-to-day operations is that we’ve increased the number of units and measurement points in our data logging compared to using sensors. This really enhances safety in transport.
That’s the difference between what we had before and what we have now with JRI-MySirius.”
What the JRI solution has brought to France Colis Santé
Experience, Partnership, Responsiveness: The essence of a strong collaboration
For Sébastien Cano, the relationship with JRI goes far beyond a standard supplier contract. It is a partnership built on longevity and mutual trust.
“Today, JRI-MySirius is the most comprehensive solution on the market. It meets all your requirements. If I had to sum up my work with JRI-MySirius in three words, they would be experience, partnership and responsiveness.”
JRI’sexpertise in the regulatory requirements governing medical transport gives France Colis Santé peace of mind at every stage. The partnership involves active support with fleet upgrades and software adaptations.
Finally, the responsiveness of the support team is crucial when medical emergencies cannot wait. The Mobility module of JRI-MySirius is regularly updated to incorporate new features, supporting every stage of France Colis Santé’s growth.
Expansion that increases traceability requirements
France Colis Santé is currently pursuing an expansion strategy. The company is responding to numerous calls for tenders across the country. Each new contract leads to fresh orders for Nova SPY and Nova CELL gateways to equip its next fleet of vehicles.
The Nova CELL’s 4G connectivity and its 48-hour buffer ensure robust data continuity, even under the most demanding conditions. Every stage of this growth will be supported by the JRI teams, with the same commitment to BPD compliance and patient safety.
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