How Femto is Powering Pharmaceutical Efficiency in Colombia and South America through IoT and Datacake
In the competitive healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, reliable real-time data can make the difference between efficiency and costly rework.
Femto, a Colombian company specialized in process qualification, faced the challenge of obtaining accurate and timely information to ensure quality in cold chains and critical areas. By implementing IoT devices and the Datacake platform, Femto not only solved this issue but also launched a new telemetry business line that is now fueling its growth across Colombia and South America.
Femto: From Process Qualification to Telemetry Innovation
Founded in 2009, Femto began by providing process qualification services to the healthcare sector. Over time, it expanded into pharmaceutical, food, and manufacturing industries, always with a strong focus on reliability and precision.
The main challenge was clear: traditional data loggers only provided temperature and humidity data after 24 to 48 hours. This created risks, data losses, and the need to repeat critical processes. In sectors where vaccines, medicines, or clinical samples are stored, the lack of real-time data could mean irreversible losses.
Overcoming the Challenge with IoT: Preventing Rework and Delays
Before adopting IoT, Femto had to wait up to 48 hours to analyze collected data. During that time, refrigeration failures, sensor installation errors, or simple battery discharges could occur.
The impact was twofold:
● For clients, this meant risks to sensitive products and the costs of rework.● For Femto, it required additional resources without fully recovering costs.
A clear example illustrates the problem: when a refrigerator containing vaccines had to stay between 2 °C and 8 °C, deviations were often only detected after 24 hours. The client then had to adjust their equipment, and Femto had to repeat the entire measurement process. Even if the client was not charged for the full rework, both sides lost time and resources—efforts that could have been avoided with real-time monitoring.
Solving the Challenge with IoT and Datacake
The answer came with IoT sensors integrated into the Datacake platform. Femto now offers clients a complete package that includes:
● Sensors for temperature, relative humidity, electric current, and pressure.● Gateways with SIM card connectivity, overcoming network limitations in Colombia.● Preconfigured devices so clients only need to install them physically.● Accredited calibration and hardware/software validation as added value.
Thanks to Datacake and IoT technology, Femto can now monitor in real time, generate instant alerts, and drastically reduce response times. This opened a new business line: 24/7 telemetry services, which today have become a strong revenue driver.
How Femto Simplified IoT for the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Sectors
Use Case 1: Bogotá Clinic – Ensuring Operational Continuity in Cryogenics and Chillers
A healthcare institution in Bogotá faced a critical issue: cryogenic systems and refrigeration units storing samples and biopsies operated continuously, even outside the working hours of laboratory staff (8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.). If a power outage occurred overnight, no one was present to detect the failure. Although they had UPS systems, these only provided backup power for a limited time. Once depleted, samples could be lost, forcing patients to undergo invasive procedures again.
Femto implemented current sensors connected to Datacake, enabling real-time detection of power cuts. When an outage occurs, the system sends instant alerts, giving staff enough time to act and prevent the loss of critical samples.
Use Case 2: Pharmaceutical Industry – Differential Pressure and Classified Air Control
In pharmaceutical plants, classified air control is essential to prevent cross-contamination during drug production. Regulations require certain rooms to maintain positive pressure compared to others, ensuring correct airflow.
The client previously relied on local manometers that offered point-in-time readings without remote monitoring or alerts. This required constant manual supervision, which was not feasible.
With IoT sensors connected to Datacake, Femto implemented real-time differential pressure monitoring, complete with automatic alerts that instantly notify of any deviation. This allows the laboratory to stop processes and trace anomalies before contamination occurs. The platform also provides historical data and exportable reports, which can be used as evidence for audits and compliance processes.
Measurable Results and Positive Impact with IoT and Datacake
The benefits speak for themselves:
50% fewer reworks thanks to real-time data
30% reduction in reporting time due to automation
Simplified installations that impress clients: “Just 10 minutes and it’s ready!”
+10% revenue growth in one year, fueled by the new telemetry business line
Lower travel costs and service times through remote monitoring
Implementation with Datacake
Femto’s journey started with a free trial of Datacake, which allowed them to benchmark the platform against other market alternatives. After experiencing its ease of use and flexible plans, they quickly moved from pilot projects to large-scale deployments.
The team trained using:
● Datacake’s interactive documentation, powered by AI search tools that let users find specific articles and solutions with simple keywords. This saved time compared to lengthy manuals.● YouTube tutorials, with step-by-step explanations of advanced features and real-world use cases.● Dedicated technical support from the Datacake team, always available to resolve complex questions and support the rollout of new features.
Key Datacake Features for Femto
Datacake LoRaWAN Network Server (LNS): A Seamless, All-in-One Advantage
One of the decisive factors in Femto's journey with Datacake was the platform's built-in LoRaWAN Network Server (LNS). Traditionally, deploying LoRaWAN sensors requires not only gateways to collect data but also a third-party LNS to manage network traffic between sensors and the application. This extra layer often introduces complexity, additional vendors, and recurring costs.
Datacake removes these barriers by providing its own LNS as an integral part of the platform. This means Femto can connect gateways and sensors directly to Datacake without the need for external network servers or additional contracts. The result is a single, unified environment where hardware, network management, and data visualization coexist seamlessly.
The benefits are immediate and tangible:
● One Interaction Point – All configuration, monitoring, and management take place inside Datacake, eliminating the headaches of juggling multiple platforms.● Faster Deployment – With the network server already included, projects move from pilot to production in record time.● Cost Efficiency – No third-party LNS subscriptions or hidden fees; Datacake includes LNS functionality free of charge for every device on the platform.● Out-of-the-Box Reliability – Gateways and sensors can be activated with minimal setup, ensuring dependable real-time data flow from day one.
For Femto, this built-in capability was more than a technical convenience; it was a key reason for selecting Datacake. By choosing a platform that delivers the full IoT stack in a single solution, Femto gained a streamlined path to growth, reduced operational costs, and the confidence to scale its LoRaWAN deployments across Colombia and South America.
Future Vision
Femto envisions building its own LoRaWAN network in Colombia, starting in Medellín and Bogotá. Each new client adds a new network point, and in the future, they may even provide connectivity to third parties. Currently, Femto operates 900 devices online and plans to scale to 1,200 devices and 49 gateways by the end of the year.
They also see great opportunities in the agribusiness sector, especially in flower crops in Antioquia, where temperature and lighting control are critical for export quality.
The Takeaway
Femto’s story is a clear example of how IoT, powered by Datacake, can transform critical processes in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and industry. What began as a search for reliable data evolved into innovation that today drives efficiency, generates new revenue, and opens doors to growth across Colombia and South America.
Want to transform your processes with IoT? Discover how Datacake can help you implement real-time monitoring solutions.
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