Evaluating Vaccine Temperature Monitoring Systems via Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process

Year 2016, Volume: 45 Issue: 1, 2 - 11, 31.05.2016

Betül Özkan Hüseyin Başlıgil

Abstract

Cold chain management is a specific part of supply chain management. Cold chain management deal with products that should be transported and stored in certain conditions. Monitoring the temperature in cold chain is one of the most critical and important factors. Effective temperature monitoring systems are a must have for a successful cold chain management in companies, so deciding on the best temperature monitoring system is a strategic decision. The aim of this study is to determine the best temperature monitoring system for vaccine storage in a warehouse.  While there are many different criteria for selecting among different temperature monitoring systems, a multi criteria decision making methodology is used and we evaluated four different temperature monitoring systems by using fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP). Fuzzy numbers are used for the application of analytic hierarchy process (AHP), because fuzzy numbers enable the decision makers to deal better with the uncertain and vogue circumstances while selecting the best temperature monitoring systems. Electronic thermometer data logger system, wired data logger temperature monitoring system, wireless data logger temperature monitoring system and cloud-based data logger temperature monitoring system are chosen as alternatives. First, we determined 4 main and 14 sub-criteria that affect the selection process and then we applied fuzzy analytic hierarchy process for selecting the best temperature monitoring system. Cloud-based data logger temperature monitoring system is determined as the best alternative.