Historically, thermal validation using a wired validation system has long been a proven solution for validating or qualifying processes in the pharmaceutical industry. However, it requires significant effort and cost, and the number of use cases and the requirements for both systems and users continue to grow. At the same time, scheduling pressures are intensifying and staff shortages persist. Consequently, alternatives have emerged that transmit the necessary data in real time via loggers. This new technology promises much but raises the question of whether it is truly practical for deployment.

We take a comprehensive look at both approaches — from their history, applicability, and sensor characteristics to the risks associated with their use and the potential time and cost savings. This presentation can therefore also be seen as a comparison between a proven “old‑school” system and the new logger technology. The results are surprising and help assess which solution makes the most sense for your area.