blog Archives - rfxcel.com
Rfxcel Logo

DSCSA Wholesaler Exemption & Authorized Trading Partners – The Essentials

A LinkedIn Live Recap Featuring Alex Colgan at Ledger Domain and Herb Wong at Antares Vision Group

Watch the Full LinkedIn Live Recording

🎧 Listen to the full recording
📄 Transcript included below


Key Takeaways from the Discussion

With the wholesaler exemption ending and full enforcement on the horizon, the pharmaceutical supply chain is entering its most critical DSCSA readiness phase. Manufacturers, wholesalers, and dispensers must now demonstrate serialized data exchange, verification capability, and Authorized Trading Partner (ATP) credentialing.

  1. Serialized Data Exchange: Strong Progress, but No Room for Missing EPCIS
    • According to the Partnership for DSCSA Governance (PDG), 95–100% of wholesalers now receive serialized data — up from 80–95% in March.
    • FDA has clarified that “no EPCIS” is not acceptable. Every shipment must include serialized data.

    • Smaller wholesalers and dispensers with wholesale operations are still catching up technologically, but must meet the same compliance expectations.

  2. Verification Router Service (VRS): Evolving Use, Expanding Scope
    • Initially built for saleable returns, VRS usage is shifting as serialized data matures.

    • Message volumes are down, but users and use cases are up, particularly among regulators.

    • Expect VRS to play a growing role in regulated verification and trace workflows through 2025.

  3.  ATP Credentialing: The Digital Passport for Compliance
    • Authorized Trading Partner (ATP) credentialing acts as a secure, digital signature verifying a company’s DSCSA status.

    • It ensures that verification and trace messages come from trusted, licensed sources — reducing delays, errors, and rejections.

    • The Ledger Domain standard is now used by 14 of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies, major wholesalers, 11,000+ pharmacy sites, and a state regulator.

  4. FDA and State Inspections Are Here
    • State and FDA inspectors have begun asking DSCSA-specific questions during audits.

    • Large dispensers should prepare for inspections tied to their November 27 enforcement milestone.

    • Keep VRS lookup directories accurate and maintain complete ATP audit logs to simplify investigations.

  5. Compliance Lessons: Read the Sterling Distributors 483
    • The FDA 483 warning letter to Sterling Distributors (Florida) is a must-read.

    • It outlines serialization, traceability, and ATP validation failures — effectively a checklist of what not to do.

    • Share it with compliance teams to guide final readiness activities.

  6. Action Steps for the Next 30 Days
    • For Wholesalers
      • Begin sending serialized data by August 27.
      • Ensure inbound EPCIS files are received from all manufacturers.
      • Smaller firms can use secure portals — but electronic data is mandatory.
    • For Manufacturers
      • Prepare for a surge in verification requests (from wholesalers, regulators, and large dispensers).
      • Validate VRS directories and ATP credentials.
    • For Dispensers
      • Prepare for state inspections and internal audits.
      • Align patient-need transfer workflows and ensure data privacy in EPCIS transmissions.

🎙️ LinkedIn Live Transcript: DSCSA Wholesaler Exemption & Authorized Trading Partners – The Essentials

Below is the full transcript from the LinkedIn Live session, lightly edited for clarity and formatting.

Moderator: Hi everyone, and thank you for joining this LinkedIn Live session on DSCSA Wholesaler Exemption and Authorized Trading Partners. If you have questions, please drop them in the comments—we’ll answer as many as possible. I’m excited to introduce our speakers: Herb Wong (Antares Vision Group) and Alex Colgan (Ledger Domain).

Herb Wong: I’ve been with Antares Vision Group for more than 11 years and was involved in DSCSA even before it became a federal mandate—when states like Florida and California had their own serialization laws.

Today, I lead customer success and readiness at Antares Vision Group, helping ensure our clients—and the broader industry—are ready for DSCSA enforcement.

Alex Colgan: I’m the Chief Customer Officer at Ledger Domain. We provide secure credentialing and messaging technology that strengthens the pharmaceutical supply chain. We’ve been involved since 2019, helping partners like Antares Vision Group enable secure interoperability across the industry.

With the new enforcement deadline for wholesalers just around the corner, we’re focused on the latest DSCSA developments, the expiration of the wholesaler exemption, and how ATP credentialing ensures trusted, compliant transactions.

Herb Wong: PDG’s June survey showed tremendous progress: nearly all wholesalers now receive serialized data. That’s up significantly from earlier this year.

The FDA understands data quality is still improving, but they’ve made one point clear—missing EPCIS files are no longer acceptable.

Meanwhile, smaller wholesalers and hybrid dispenser-wholesaler operations are still working to align with the DSCSA standard.

Click to expand full transcript

On VRS (Verification Router Service):
Originally designed for saleable returns, VRS has evolved as the ecosystem matures. Even though overall message volume has declined, usage and adoption have grown—especially among regulators. Expect this trend to continue through the end of the year.

Alex Colgan: VRS and EPCIS are part of what we call the Enhanced Drug Distribution Security Network—a connected ecosystem of interoperable solutions.

Tracing is another critical element. It allows us to reconstruct the transaction history of a product—tracking who sold it, who bought it, and where it traveled.

The FDA’s recent 483 warning letter to Sterling Distributors demonstrates the importance of these processes. It’s an example of what happens when companies can’t verify, trace, or respond quickly to suspect product investigations.

With PDG set to release Version 2 of the tracing standard soon, we’re eager to see how it strengthens these interoperable workflows.

Herb Wong: That Sterling letter was widely discussed at last week’s HDA conference—it’s setting the tone for FDA’s next phase of enforcement.

For wholesalers, starting August 27, serialized data must be sent downstream. Without it, your customers can’t process shipments. Manufacturers should also prepare for increased verification requests from both trading partners and regulators.

Accuracy in the VRS directory—the “phone book” of connections—is essential.

Alex Colgan: We’re also seeing regulators ramp up inspections with stronger DSCSA focus. Inspectors are asking specific questions about traceability and ATP validation.

Large dispensers, in particular, should prepare for November inspections and ensure local patient-need transfers and EPCIS data are compliant.

Herb Wong: Before Alex walks through credentialing, I want to recognize the work Ledger Domain has done. Early in the VRS design process, multiple credentialing models were proposed. Alex’s team not only contributed technical innovation but also pushed for open, standards-based collaboration that benefits the entire industry.

Alex Colgan: Thank you, Herb.

At Ledger Domain, we’ve always believed in a standards-driven, interoperable approach.
ATP credentialing serves as a secure, verifiable signature proving your organization is authorized under DSCSA.

Our wallet software signs and validates messages, ensuring everyone—from manufacturers to wholesalers—can securely exchange data.

Today, our credentialing standard is adopted by 14 of the top 20 pharma companies, several major wholesalers, over 11,000 pharmacy sites, and a state regulator.

Herb Wong: For Antares Vision Group customers, integration is seamless. It’s an add-on within your existing contract—no extra vendor selection or onboarding required.

Alex Colgan: Exactly. Credentials minimize compliance risk by ensuring every request and response is traceable to a verified partner. We’ve completed independent GxP audits, disaster recovery testing, and live production scaling.

Herb Wong: An integrated ATP and VRS system means one unified audit log—so when inspections happen, you’re not scrambling across multiple systems to prove compliance.

Alex Colgan: After years of collaboration and testing through FDA and standards groups, the ATP and VRS framework is proven and scalable.

Before enforcement hits, review your VRS directory, ATP setup, and the Sterling 483 letter to benchmark your readiness.

Herb Wong: Thanks to everyone who joined today. We look forward to helping you navigate DSCSA readiness and continuing this discussion offline.

Alex Colgan: Thanks, everyone—have a great summer!


Ready to Strengthen Your DSCSA Readiness?

Contact us to schedule a readiness check, validate your VRS directory, and assess your ATP credentialing strategy.

Where to Start with Real-Time Cold Chain Monitoring: A Practical Guide for Pharma Supply Chains

We’ve already explained why visibility can’t wait in our latest blog, Why Cold Chain Visibility Is No Longer Optional for Life Sciences and Pharma. This blog is about what to do next: how pharma leaders can actually implement real-time cold chain monitoring, choose the right approach, and start seeing results without disrupting their existing operations.

The 3 Most Common Cold Chain Monitoring Approaches

Approach How It Works

Why It Falls Short

Manual Tracking Spreadsheets, paper logs, delayed readouts Prone to human error, slow response, no scalability
Standalone Tools IoT loggers with vendor dashboards Real-time data but siloed, no ERP/serialization tie-in, manual reconciliation required
Integrated Platforms Centralized, device-agnostic, ERP-ready solutions like our Cold Chain Technology Continuous visibility across partners, instant compliance reports, scalable globally

Takeaway: Manual and standalone tools may cover a few lanes, but they can’t keep pace with global pharma networks or strict regulations. Integrated platforms are the only sustainable path forward.

How to Implement Without Disruption

A full systems overhaul isn’t required — in fact, most successful implementations start small and expand quickly.

  • Start with high-risk shipments. Begin with products like biologics or GLP-1 therapies that demand tight temperature control.
  • Choose device-agnostic tech. Ensure your platform supports RFID, barcodes, and IoT sensors so existing infrastructure can stay in place.
  • Integrate with current systems. The right solution connects seamlessly with ERP, WMS, and serialization tools to avoid costly transitions.
  • Bring in partners early. CMOs, 3PLs, and distributors should share the same visibility platform from the beginning.
  • Automate compliance reporting. Replace days of manual data gathering with instant DSCSA-, EU FMD-, and FSMA-ready reports.

For more details about how this integration works, see how our Cold Chain Technology connects ERP and serialization data with live temperature and location tracking.

Case Study: Real-World Results from Cold Chain Integration

The Challenge
A global pharmaceutical manufacturer shipping GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic was struggling with manual monitoring. Excursions went unnoticed until it was too late, reporting took days to compile, and product losses were climbing.

The Solution
By implementing Antares Vision Group’s Cold Chain Technology, the company gained:

  • Item-level visibility with IoT sensors, RFID, and barcodes
  • Real-time alerts and proactive deviation management
  • AI-powered analytics to predict and prevent issues
  • End-to-end accountability across every handoff

The Results

  • Excursions dropped dramatically across thousands of batches
  • Audit prep time fell from days to minutes
  • Recall execution became faster through serialization integration
  • Waste was reduced, while partner accountability increased

“We can now act on issues before they happen, instead of chasing problems after the fact.”
  — Head of Operations, Global Pharma Packager

Read the full case study.

Practical Tips from the Field

  • Don’t boil the ocean. One pharma team began with a single European shipping lane, proved ROI quickly, then scaled globally.
  • Show quick wins. Before-and-after dashboards gave one QA team the evidence they needed to secure executive buy-in.
  • Define response protocols. Set clear rules for who handles alerts and how fast. Some companies set 30-minute SLAs tied directly to deviations.

Cold Chain Monitoring Is About More Than Compliance

Manual reports and siloed dashboards aren’t just inefficient — they expose your supply chain to unnecessary risk. Integrated monitoring helps you:

  • Track every shipment in real time
  • Share data securely across partners
  • Generate audit-ready reports instantly
  • Protect patient safety and product quality

Ready to see the difference?

Stop spending days preparing for audits and start safeguarding every shipment. Schedule your live demo of Cold Chain Technology today.

Why Cold Chain Visibility Is No Longer Optional for Life Sciences and Pharma

In pharmaceuticals and life sciences, one missed temperature excursion can cost millions, not just in lost product, but in compliance penalties, damaged brand reputation, and delayed treatments for patients who rely on your therapies.

The stakes are only getting higher. According to a report by Research and Markets, the global cold chain monitoring market was valued at $21.03 billion in 2022 and is forecasted to expand to $75.11 billion by 2028, growing at a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 23.4%

Without it, companies are left reacting to problems after the damage is done — often when it’s already too late.

Cold chain visibility isn’t optional anymore. It’s the difference between preventing costly failures and fighting fires at scale.

Why does cold chain visibility matter for regulated industries?

Cold chain visibility is the ability to track, monitor, and control temperature-sensitive products across your extended supply chain, from manufacturing and packaging to 3PLs, distributors, and hospital networks.

For life sciences leaders, it directly impacts:

What happens when you can’t see your cold chain?

When supply chains rely on disconnected systems or outdated manual tracking, the risks escalate fast:

  • Undetected temperature excursions – Spoilage and costly product destruction
  • Slow recalls – Without centralized data, it takes longer to trace affected batches
  • Compliance exposure – Failed audits and missed reporting deadlines
  • Operational chaos – Data silos across CMOs, suppliers, and 3PLs leave teams scrambling

Relying on spreadsheets and paper logs isn’t just inefficient — it’s a compliance risk waiting to happen.

Case Study: How One Pharma Packager Gained Control

One of the largest pharmaceutical contract packagers in the U.S. faced these challenges firsthand. Expanding to five global facilities and handling thousands of high-value batches, including GLP-1 medications, they relied on paper-based tracking,  until the risks became unsustainable.

They turned to rfxcel’s Cold Chain Technology to gain real-time visibility and proactive control.

Solution Highlights

  • Barcode-based monitoring across freezers, refrigerators, and packaging lines
  • Real-time dashboards with instant condition updates
  • Proactive alerts to prevent excursions before they occur
  • Scalable system supporting thousands of batches annually

Results

  • Dramatic reduction in temperature excursion risks
  • Audit readiness improved with automated reporting
  • Operational efficiency increased by reducing manual handling

“The real-time alerts and dashboards have transformed our compliance approach. We’re no longer reacting to problems — we’re preventing them before they happen.”
— Head of Operations, Pharmaceutical Packaging Company

Explore Antares Vision Group’s Cold Chain Technology to see how we deliver the same results for leading pharma brands.

Read full Case Study [link]

How can manufacturers improve cold chain compliance?

Here are three immediate actions supply chain and operations leaders can take:

  1. Map Your Extended Supply Chain
    Identify high-risk partners, packaging lines, and transit points where visibility gaps exist.
  2. Prioritize Real-Time Data Sharing
    Ensure continuous monitoring and immediate alerts for temperature-sensitive products.
  3. Choose a Platform That Works With Your ERP
    Use a platform like rfxcel’s Cold Chain Technology to:

    • Integrate with legacy ERP systems
    • Enable secure, real-time traceability
    • Simplify global compliance reporting

Why Cold Chain Visibility Can’t Wait

When patient safety, brand reputation, and compliance are on the line, real-time cold chain visibility isn’t optional — it’s mission-critical.

Want to learn how leading pharma manufacturers achieve visibility and compliance? Learn more in our latest blog, Where to Start with Real-Time Cold Chain Monitoring: A Practical Guide for Pharma Supply Chains.

Or explore how Antares Vision Group helps companies prevent losses, protect patients, and stay ahead of regulations.

Fill out this form to see a live demo.

Why Platform Reliability Matters More Than Ever in Pharma Supply Chains

With DSCSA interoperability now in effect, system reliability isn’t just important — it’s the foundation of compliance.

Outages Are Already Disrupting Pharma Supply Chains

Across the industry, compliance platforms have faltered — with outages causing EPCIS transmissions to fail, shipments to be delayed, and partners to lose confidence. These aren’t edge cases; they’ve been real disruptions at the worst possible moments.

Now that enforcement is active, there’s no buffer. Every file must move on time, every time. When a system goes down, compliance, operations, and trust are all immediately at risk.

Instability Creates Compliance Gaps

Platform downtime doesn’t just stall IT — it puts the entire supply chain in jeopardy:

  • EPCIS file deliveries fail
  • Shipments are delayed or held
  • Manual workarounds drain resources
  • Compliance teams scramble under audit pressure

The result is wasted time, partner frustration, and higher exposure in an enforcement era where precision and stability are non-negotiable.

If your platform regularly forces workarounds or leaves you wondering “Did that file really go through?” — reliability has become your biggest compliance gap.

Why Antares Vision Group Is Trusted to Stay Online

Some platforms have suffered known outages, leaving pharma companies scrambling at the worst possible time. Antares Vision Group has taken a different path.

rfxcel, part of Antares Vision Group, was purpose-built for traceability and compliance. That means:

  • Reliable EPCIS and AS2 transmission at scale
  • Consistent uptime — even during peak industry traffic
  • Live, expert support whenever questions arise
  • Transparent system health — no guessing, no gray areas

Global pharma leaders trust Antares Vision Group because our systems are stable, proven, and designed to perform under regulatory pressure.

Living in the Enforcement Era

The DSCSA’s final phase isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about proving your digital infrastructure can withstand real-world conditions every single day.

In 2025, your systems must support:

  • Secure, accurate, and timely EPCIS-based data exchange
  • Seamless interoperability with trading partners
  • Transparent traceability across the supply chain
  • Stability under enforcement scrutiny

Compliance today means reliability. If your system can’t deliver that, it’s a risk you can’t afford.

Ready to Stress Less About System Uptime?

If recent disruptions have raised concerns about the stability of your platform, it’s time to explore a better way forward.

Talk with a compliance specialist today to book your live demo.

Reliability doesn’t need to be loud. It just needs to work. That’s exactly what we’ve built at Antares Vision Group.

How Accurate Drug Management Is Transforming Pharma Supply Chains

In the world of high-value, regulated medications, visibility gaps can be costly and dangerous. Whether you’re a pharmaceutical manufacturer, distributor, or hospital system, manual workflows and siloed data can lead to:

  • Missed expiration tracking
  • Inventory misalignment between the supply chain and clinical settings
  • Compliance risks from untracked usage or premature dispensing

That’s why more organizations are adopting rfxcel’s Accurate Drug Management (ADM) system to close these gaps.

What Is ADM?

ADM isn’t just another inventory tool; it’s a new class of system designed for pharmaceutical workflows that legacy systems weren’t built to handle. It is a cloud-enabled solution that synchronizes the entire pharmaceutical distribution lifecycle from manufacturing to point-of-care, through:

  • Real-time tracking of inventory and product usage
  • Automated alerts for expiring or misused inventory
  • Integrated scheduling and administration logging
  • Seamless EHR integration to maintain patient records
  • Advanced analytics for usage trends and forecasting

A Life Sciences Leader Improves Accuracy, Efficiency, and Patient Care

A global specialist pharmaceutical company focused on HIV treatment needed a more reliable, scalable way to help clinics deliver complex therapies safely and consistently. Manual processes and spreadsheet-based inventory tracking were causing risks to patient safety and clinic operations.

After implementing Accurate Drug Management (ADM), the manufacturer saw:

  • Optimized patient outcomes with critical dosing requirements met consistently
  • Operational efficiency from automated tracking and reduced manual errors
  • Cost savings through real-time inventory visibility and improved forecasting
  • Improved accuracy and minimized waste across high-value medication workflows

Download the full case study

ADM helped the company meet regulatory expectations while improving patient safety and provider satisfaction.

Why Manufacturers and Providers Rely on ADM

Manufacturers gain predictive inventory insights, improved dosing accuracy, and seamless ERP integration, helping cut waste while maintaining compliance.

Healthcare providers can simplify medication scheduling, avoid premature dispensing, and stay in sync with patient records through EHR connectivity.

Patients benefit from timely, accurate treatments and added protection from expired or counterfeit medications.

Key Takeaways for Decision-Makers

  • ADM solves the specific problems of pharmaceutical handling that legacy systems can’t
  • Full traceability and EHR coordination help close regulatory and operational gaps
  • The system is already delivering measurable ROI and risk reduction in real deployments 

Want to see what ADM could do for your pharmaceutical operations? Fill out this form, and one of our specialists will reach out to you soon. Or go back and see why most drug management systems fall short, and how ADM changes that.

Are You Really Managing High-Value Medications Accurately?

If you’re managing supply chain or operations for high-value medications, you know how critical accuracy, compliance, and real-time coordination are. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: many organizations are still handling sensitive medications with outdated tools and partial data.

That’s where rfxcel’s Accurate Drug Management (ADM) system comes in, a purpose-built platform that brings precision and visibility to medication workflows across the supply chain from manufacturing through hospital and clinic distribution.

What Goes Wrong Without Full Visibility

Even in highly regulated environments, many companies are still tracking inventory manually or relying on outdated ERP add-ons. This often means they can’t see in real time what’s been used, where it’s gone, or when it’s due to expire. Systems rarely talk to each other, which leads to medication being dispensed too early, or worse, past its shelf life.

That’s a dangerous combination—especially when patient safety, compliance, and costly drug products are on the line.

The Case for Accurate Drug Management

rfxcel’s ADM system was designed specifically to address these pain points for healthcare providers, manufacturers, and supply chain partners managing high-value medications.

ADM combines real-time medication tracking, predictive inventory alerts, and EHR integration to give supply chain and clinical teams a complete, accurate picture of what’s available, where it is, and how it’s being used. Everything from usage logs to expiration data is captured automatically, improving compliance and reducing waste.

This level of control isn’t just a tech upgrade—it’s a way to reduce waste, avoid compliance errors, and ensure patients receive the right medication at the right time.

Why This Should Matter to You

  • Are you confident your system prevents premature dispensing?
  • Can you forecast inventory down to the clinic level, 7 days out?
  • Are expired products still being pulled manually from shelves?

If any of these raise doubts, it’s time to rethink your approach to drug management. Interested in seeing ADM in action? Fill out this form, and one of our specialists will reach out to you soon.

Where to Learn More

Already seeing gaps in visibility or coordination?

Read our in-depth case study to see how ADM is driving real results across the supply chain.
Check out Part 2 of this blog to see how Accurate Drug Management is transforming pharma supply chains—from clinical use to global distribution.

Why DIAMIND Sentry is the Best Addition to Your TraceLink Track and Trace Solution

If you’re already using TraceLink’s Track and Trace solution, you know the power of real-time product visibility, seamless compliance, and streamlined serialization. But let’s be honest—tracking products across an increasingly complex supply chain isn’t always smooth sailing. Errors creep in, data gets messy, and you need more than just visibility when compliance deadlines loom. You need control.

That’s where DIAMIND Sentry comes in. Pairing DIAMIND Sentry with your existing Track and Trace solution isn’t just a good idea—it’s the upgrade your operation needs to keep things running without a hitch. Let’s break it down.

TraceLink Track and Trace: The Basics—But Is It Enough?

By now, you know what TraceLink offers. It’s a cloud-based system that serializes pharmaceutical products, connects stakeholders, and helps companies meet compliance requirements. For some companies, this might be enough. But even the best track-and-trace system has a weak spot—data integrity and error handling. That’s where things get tricky.

Where Track and TraceLeaves Gaps

Despite its strengths, Track and Trace doesn’t automatically fix bad data. Errors in EPCIS files, incomplete transaction records, and miscommunications between supply chain partners can derail compliance efforts and delay shipments. If you’ve ever had to untangle an EPCIS data mess manually, you know the pain.

Wouldn’t it be better if those errors were caught before they became a problem?

DIAMIND Sentry: Your Safety Net

DIAMIND Sentry was designed to handle the gaps that the Track and Trace solution leaves open. It’s an intelligent error-handling and transaction-monitoring tool that works alongside Track and Trace to clean up data issues before they spiral out of control. Here’s what you get:

  • Automated EPCIS file evaluation – Stop chasing down compliance errors. Sentry flags and fixes data discrepancies automatically.
  • Advanced error handling – Detailed validation reports mean no more guesswork.
  • Real-time dashboards – Monitor data flows, identify trends, and spot issues early.
  • Collaborative issue resolution – Automated notifications and ticketing streamline communication across teams.
  • Seamless integration – Works with your existing systems without a headache.

In short, DIAMIND Sentry doesn’t replace TraceLink’s Track and Trace solution—it makes it smarter, more efficient, and more reliable.

The Real Benefits of Using Both

Still wondering if you really need DIAMIND Sentry? Here’s what happens when you use it alongside TraceLink’s Track and Trace solution:

  • Fewer Disruptions – Transaction errors no longer bring operations to a grinding halt.
  • Stronger Compliance – DSCSA requirements are met without last-minute scrambles.
  • Lower Costs –With better efficiency, labor expenses are minimized, making operations more cost-effective.
  • Better Collaboration – Internal teams and external partners stay aligned without endless email chains.
  • Improved Data Quality – Clean, accurate data leads to better decision-making and fewer surprises.

Why Settle for Half the Solution?

Think of it this way—TraceLink’s Track and Trace solution gets you on the road, but it doesn’t tell you what’s ahead. Without deeper insights, you’re stuck reacting to problems instead of preventing them. Gaps in data integrity, error handling, and real-time visibility leave you exposed to compliance risks and inefficiencies.

If you rely solely on TraceLink’s Track and Trace solution, you’re operating with blind spots. When compliance, efficiency, and accuracy are on the line, you need more than just basic serialization—you need a system that anticipates risks before they become costly issues.

It’s time to go beyond Track and Trace. Contact us today to see DIAMIND Sentry in action!

Why Track and Trace Falls Short—and Why rTS is the Smarter Choice

Pharmaceutical companies operate in one of the most highly regulated industries in the world. Managing compliance, ensuring product safety, and preventing counterfeit drugs are non-negotiable. That’s why track-and-trace solutions have become essential—but not all solutions are created equal. 

On the surface, TraceLink Track and Trace and rfxcel Traceability Solution (rTS) might seem similar. Both offer serialization, real-time monitoring, and compliance management. But when it comes to delivering true visibility, security, and flexibility, the differences are significant. Let’s explore why rTS is the superior choice.

The Illusion of Control: Where TraceLink Falls Apart

At first glance, TraceLink Track and Trace is a solid compliance solution. It’s cloud-based, offers real-time monitoring, and connects supply chain stakeholders. However, a closer look reveals some notable challenges.

The first significant issue is TraceLink’s multi-tenant cloud-based infrastructure. While cloud models provide convenience, they can also introduce limitations. Track and Trace’s single cloud environment means customers share resources, which can lead to potential performance bottlenecks. Additionally, companies must adhere to TraceLink’s update schedule, sometimes receiving system changes that may not align with their operational priorities. 

In contrast, rTS offers both cloud and on-premise deployment options, giving businesses control over their compliance environment. This flexibility ensures that organizations can align the software with their specific security policies and operational needs rather than being locked into a single provider’s ecosystem.

Another critical distinction is TraceLink’s approach to serialization. While serialization assigns unique identifiers to products, it does not automatically equate to full traceability. Without comprehensive data validation and advanced actionable insights, serialization alone does not provide end-to-end supply chain visibility.

rTS, on the other hand, offers a complete traceability framework to include comprehensive data verification, seamless integration with global reporting systems, and robust analytics. This ensures companies achieve superior transparency, from raw materials to finished goods, minimizing risk and enhancing supply chain security.

Compliance Management: A Tailored Approach

TraceLink’s compliance management capabilities follow a standardized framework designed to meet generic regulatory requirements. However, this rigid structure may not accommodate the specific operational workflows of different pharmaceutical companies. As a result, businesses may have to adjust their processes to fit the software rather than using a system tailored to their needs.

rTS takes a more flexible approach by allowing companies to customize compliance workflows. The solution supports industry-specific reporting requirements, integrates with global regulatory agencies, and ensures compliance efforts align with real-world operations. By offering automation, customizable rules, and seamless data exchange, rTS simplifies compliance management while enhancing overall efficiency.

The Clear Winner: rTS

If Track and Trace meets the minimum compliance requirements, rTS is the gold standard. It ensures data quality and accuracy through extensive validation and enrichment processes. Unlike solutions that rely largely on serialized numbers, rTS cross-references and verifies each data point, reducing errors and improving traceability across the supply chain.

Enhanced real-time monitoring is another area where rTS excels. While TraceLink provides real-time tracking, rTS leverages IoT-based tracking and sophisticated analytics to offer deep visibility into supply chain movements. This level of insight allows pharmaceutical companies to proactively manage product safety, prevent counterfeiting, and address disruptions before they escalate.

The most significant advantage of rTS is that it extends beyond compliance to provide actionable business intelligence. Compliance is not just about avoiding penalties—it’s about optimizing supply chain operations, improving efficiency, and reducing costs. With advanced analytics and predictive insights, this solution helps companies make smarter decisions based on real-time data. Businesses can identify inefficiencies, anticipate potential disruptions, and gain deeper insights into supply chain dynamics while maintaining full regulatory compliance.

The Bottom Line: Choose a Competitive Edge, Not Just Compliance

Pharmaceutical compliance isn’t optional—but your choice of compliance software is.  While Track and Trace provides a functional compliance solution, it lacks the control, visibility, and adaptability that pharmaceutical companies need. Businesses relying on TraceLink may face limitations in customization, data access, and operational flexibility.

rTS  is about future-proofing supply chains, eliminating inefficiencies, and achieving true end-to-end visibility. With its superior data validation, enhanced real-time monitoring, seamless integration, and business intelligence capabilities, rTS is the clear choice for pharmaceutical companies that demand more than just the bare minimum.

Choosing the right compliance software isn’t just about meeting regulatory standards—it’s about ensuring product safety, maintaining operational efficiency, and staying ahead in an industry where precision and transparency are paramount.  See how rTS provides real-time visibility, security, and control beyond the basics.

Contact us today to see rTS in action!

What Is EDGE Warehouse Solution?

Managing warehouse operations shouldn’t feel like a never-ending puzzle. Yet, for businesses juggling serialized and non-serialized products, it often does. The challenge? Keeping compliance in check, ensuring inventory accuracy, and streamlining operations—all without sinking time and money into inefficiencies. That’s where EDGE Warehouse Solution steps in.

This isn’t just another warehouse management system (WMS). EDGE is a data collection and tracking solution that integrates directly with compliance and traceability platforms. It is indispensable to existing systems like Manhattan, Blue Yonder, or SAP WMS. Whether dealing with pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, or industrial equipment, EDGE simplifies warehouse tracking while ensuring you meet global regulations, from DSCSA in the U.S. to EU FMD and Brazil ANVISA.

What Makes EDGE Warehouse Solution Different?

Unlike traditional warehouse management tools, EDGE does more than just help move inventory from Point A to Point B. It ensures every product is tracked properly—serialized or not—without complicating your workflow.

Here’s how:

  • Accurate Data Capture: EDGE seamlessly integrates with ERP, WMS, EPCIS repositories, and serial number management systems to keep inventory records precise.
  • Aggregation & Disaggregation of Serialized Data: It simplifies how you track, manage, and verify serialized items—critical for industries with strict compliance demands.
  • Flexible Deployment: EDGE is a standalone solution for smaller businesses or a fully integrated system for large-scale operations with multiple distribution centers.
  • Hardware Agnostic: Compatible with ZEBRA and other industry-standard hardware, it lets you keep your existing infrastructure.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Employees don’t need to determine which products require serialization tracking—EDGE does the thinking for them.

Why Businesses Are Turning to EDGE

Compliance regulations aren’t getting any simpler. Governments worldwide are tightening serialization rules, and businesses that fail to meet them risk fines, shipment delays, or worse—losing contracts.

EDGE Warehouse Solution takes the guesswork out of compliance by ensuring all required data is collected, stored, and easily retrievable. This is especially valuable for industries like:

  • Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare: Serialization laws are non-negotiable in this sector. EDGE helps businesses stay compliant while keeping product flow efficient.
  • Food & Beverage: With growing traceability requirements, companies need reliable tracking to meet FDA and international food safety standards.
  • Consumer Goods & Retail: Inventory accuracy and shipment verification are critical for supply chain success. EDGE prevents costly errors.

How EDGE Boosts Warehouse Efficiency

Speed and accuracy make or break warehouse operations. EDGE optimizes key processes to reduce labor costs, cycle times, and shipment errors.

  • Pick, Pack, and Ship Scenarios: It simplifies order fulfillment, reducing manual entry and potential mistakes.
  • Shipment Verification: Ensure everything that leaves the warehouse is precisely what was ordered—no surprises.
  • Customized Workflows: Whether you run a single facility or multiple locations, EDGE adapts to your processes, not the other way around.

Implementation: Fast, Painless, and Fully Supported

Unlike other solutions that require extensive (and expensive) customization, EDGE is ready to go out of the box. Our team handles implementation from start to finish—no surprise fees, no unnecessary downtime.

  • You get a dedicated team to configure EDGE for your needs.
  • We help source and integrate any necessary hardware.
  • Training and ongoing support ensure your staff can use the system effectively from day one.

Ready to See EDGE in Action?

EDGE Warehouse Solution simplifies compliance, optimizes warehouse operations, and eliminates the headaches of managing serialized and non-serialized inventory. Want to see how it fits into your workflow?

Request a Demo Today

How Cold Chain Technology Protects Temperature-Sensitive Products

Temperature-sensitive products, from life-saving vaccines to fresh produce, require precise handling to maintain quality and safety. A single temperature fluctuation can render a pharmaceutical shipment useless or cause food to spoil before it reaches the consumer. That’s where cold chain technology comes in.

Our cold chain solution is more than just refrigerated storage and transportation; it’s a sophisticated network of sensors, data analytics, and real-time monitoring designed to protect high-value goods at every step. With stricter regulatory requirements and rising consumer expectations, businesses can’t afford to leave temperature control to chance.

What is Cold Chain Technology?

Cold chain technology refers to the systems and processes transporting and storing temperature-sensitive products while maintaining optimal conditions. These products often include vaccines, biologics, insulin, and perishable foods, which can lose effectiveness or spoil if exposed to unsuitable temperatures.

The primary goal of cold chain technology is to ensure the integrity and quality of these products through precise temperature monitoring, robust data collection, and timely interventions. In other words, it safeguards compliance with industry standards and regulatory frameworks while also preventing financial losses caused by degraded products.

How Cold Chain Technology Works

Our Cold Chain solution offers real-time visibility and control, ensuring products stay within the required parameters. To understand how this works in practice, let’s break down the key components of an effective cold chain system:

  • Item-Level Tracking: Every product is monitored in real-time, ensuring that individual units—not just entire shipments—are accounted for. The system precisely tracks conditions, whether it’s a batch of vaccines or perishable seafood.
  • Smart Sensors & Data Capture: Advanced IoT sensors, RFID tags, and barcodes collect critical information, such as temperature deviations, duration of exposure, and handling history.
  • AI-Driven Insights: Machine learning algorithms analyze real-time data to detect inefficiencies, predict risks, and suggest preventive actions before issues arise.
  • Immediate Alerts & Compliance Reporting: If temperatures shift outside safe ranges, instant notifications trigger corrective actions. Detailed reports ensure compliance with industry regulations, minimizing liability and waste.

Why Cold Chain Technology Matters

The stakes are high for businesses managing temperature-sensitive products. A single lapse in maintaining optimal conditions can lead to product degradation, loss of consumer trust, and regulatory repercussions. Cold chain technology mitigates these risks by offering end-to-end visibility, proactive management, and robust data analytics.

Take pharmaceuticals: a vaccine that overheats by just a few degrees may lose its potency. Without a robust cold chain system, businesses risk costly recalls, regulatory penalties, and reputation damage.

Food distribution faces similar stakes. Bacteria multiply rapidly when food isn’t stored at proper temperatures, increasing the risk of contamination. Cold chain solutions prevent these issues, reducing waste and ensuring consumers receive fresh, safe products.

Transform Your Supply Chain with Antares Vision Group

Antares Vision Group’s Cold Chain solution empowers businesses to redefine their supply chain operations. Combining cutting-edge technology with seamless integration ensures transparency, efficiency, and reliability. Businesses can safeguard their products and achieve outstanding operational excellence, compliance, and profitability.

The future of cold chain technology lies in its ability to adapt to growing complexities in global supply chains. With features like AI-driven analytics and real-time monitoring, Antares Vision Group is setting the standard for what’s possible in protecting temperature-sensitive goods.

Experience the transformative impact of advanced cold chain solutions. Request a demo today to learn how to protect your products and maximize your supply chain’s potential.