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CASE HISTORY – S.I.C.A. & DIGITRON ITALIA SRL Project Title: Upgrade and Digitalization of the Thermal Monitoring System at S.I.C.A. – Parma and Angri Offices

CASE HISTORY – S.I.C.A. & DIGITRON ITALIA SRL Project Title: Upgrade and Digitalization of the Thermal Monitoring System at S.I.C.A. – Parma and Angri Offices

10 May 2022 Case History

CASE HISTORY – SICA & DIGITRON ITALIA SRL

Project Title

Upgrade and Digitalization of the Thermomonitoring System at SICA – Parma and Angri Branches

Client

SICA – Experimental Station for the Food Canning Industry

Technology Provider

Digitron Italia Srl (in collaboration with FMB Engine Srl)

1. PROJECT INTRODUCTION

The project was initiated on May 10, 2022, with a technical visit to the SICA plant in Parma, attended by client representatives and Digitron Italia Srl. Since then, the project is still ongoing, with continuous remote support and assistance from Digitron, aimed at completing the implementation and refining the proposed system.


    


2. CONTEXT AND ANALYSIS OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM

The system in use at SICA's Parma and Angri branches was based on technology including sensors for temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH) detection. The system, although still operational, presented critical issues:

  • Detection reliability not always guaranteed at peripheral points

        

  • Obsolete software based on Flash, no longer supported

        

  • Difficulty in calibrating and managing probes

        

  • Complexity in scalability and integration with modern systems

3. CLIENT REQUIREMENTS

SICA expressed the need to replace the system while maintaining the basic architecture to reduce organizational impact and facilitate a smooth transition. The key requirements identified are:

  • Reuse of existing hardware (PT100 probes, thermocouples)

        

  • Multi-user and multi-level software, accessible via local network

        

  • Real-time data visualization (tabular/synoptic)

        

  • Automated alarm management via email/SMS

        

  • Simplified and traceable calibration

        

  • Regulatory compliance (21 CFR Part 11)

4. THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL FROM DIGITRON ITALIA SRL

Digitron presented an integrated and modular solution, custom-developed for SICA, maintaining the logical scheme already adopted with Labguard®, but completely renovating the hardware and software elements.

Proposed Hardware

  1. T/RH Probe: verification and reuse of existing sensors where possible

        

  2. Calibration Probe: for internal, automated, and recognized calibrations

        

  3. Local Concentrators: with buffer battery and wireless transmission (2.4 GHz)

        

  4. Floor/Area Gateway: wireless collection and data transmission over Ethernet

        

  5. Signal Repeaters: optional, to ensure optimal coverage

        

  6. Virtual Server: for software installation and local network access

Supervision Software    

  • Web-based, multi-language interface

        

  • Customizable alarms (pre-alarm, alarm, historical logging)

        

  • Automated and manual internal calibration

        

  • Multi-user management with configurable access levels

        

  • Automatic reporting (PDF) + export (.csv)

        

  • Email and SMS notifications

        

  • System status monitoring (disconnection or error events)

5. SENSOR DISTRIBUTION STRUCTURE

The solution was sized to cover over 20 critical environments, divided between 2 main locations:

Parma (PR) Branch    

  • Sensory Analysis, Environment, Microbiology Laboratories

        

  • CED, Meat Area, Tomato Area

Angri (SA) Branch

  •     

  • Two macro-laboratory areas (in specification phase)

6. PROJECT STATUS

  • Phase 1 – Technical Audit (10/05/2022): Completed

        

  • Phase 2 – Technical-Economic Proposal: Sent and validated

        

  • Phase 3 – Data Collection (probes/floor plans): Ongoing

        

  • Phase 4 – Customization Software: Started in remote mode

        

  • Phase 5 – Remote assistance and support: Active (Monthly call with SSICA team)

The implementation is in a progressive phase, with continuous remote assistance to support SICA in all transition phases.

7. EXPECTED RESULTS    

  • Increased system reliability

        

  • Automation of calibration operations

        

  • Enhanced data security and traceability

        

  • Reduced operational management times

        

  • Regulatory compliance and adherence to internal procedures

8. NEXT STEPS

  • Finalization and validation of probe list

        

  • Final software configuration on SICA virtual server

        

  • On-site installation and training planning

CONCLUSIONS

The project with SICA represents an example of a technological upgrade with low structural impact, aimed at bringing innovation, efficiency, and reliability to monitoring systems in the food and scientific sectors. Digitron Italia confirms, with this intervention, its expertise in providing customized technological solutions in the field of precision scientific instrumentation.

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