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Comparing Clever Logger and AQ Box

Clever-logger-vs-aq-box

Clever Logger

Clever Logger is a stand alone wireless temperature logger system developed in Australia.

Strengths*

  • No ongoing fees
  • Very inexpensive for additional fridges
  • Fully automated reporting
  • Specifically designed for GPs and pharmacies to monitor vaccine fridges
  • Very easy to install
  • If your fridge/power fails, can be kept with your vaccines

AQ Box

AQ Box is an add-on to Avem Quirks vaccine fridges.  There are many similarities with Clever Logger, and a couple of key differences. 

Strengths

  • Uses mobile infrastructure, not local network
  • Supplied built into Avem Quirks fridges

Disclaimer

* This is the web site for Clever Logger. We will try to do our best to give an unbiased comparison.

This information was initially put together in December 2022. We have tried to ensure that it is an accurate portrayal of pricing and functionality. Features, however, do change with time and pricing is a bit hard to lock down (for both products) because they are sold through resellers. As much as I would like to give an impartial comparison, I do think Clever Logger is a better product (I helped design it!!!) and my bias is bound to slip in. I do, however, have situations where we will suggest to customers that they use AQ-Box instead of Clever Logger because at the end of the day my reputation relies on the customer having the right product for their needs.

All trademarks, logos and brand names are the property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only.

Similarities

Before discussing how Clever Logger and AQ Box differ, it is worth considering how they are similar, and how either will be of benefit to you in monitoring your vaccine fridge.

Both are cloud based systems...

Both AQ Box and Clever Logger will send your fridge information to a “cloud” server on the internet. 

This is what makes it possible for both systems to do things like send you alerts and automatic reports.

...that save you time

Your staff don’t need to manually download the logger to see the results.

For many Avem Quirks customers, especially in Queensland, they were doing this twice a day. Spending 5 minutes twice a day means you are wasting over 40 hours every year just downloading temperature readings. You will literally be saving a week a year by upgrading to either system from a traditional logger.

...and notify you of problems

As soon as a problem occurs, they will notify you either with an email or to your phone that your fridge is too hot or cold.

This gives you an opportunity to immediately respond. The faster you can deal with the problem, the more likely you are to be able to use the vaccines.

The traditional twice daily check was just a way to minimise how many patients had compromised vaccines. It was never intended to help save vaccines in the first place.

Differences

Price

From initial purchase price through to ongoing fees ([CL] doesn’t have any), this comparison placed Clever Logger well in front. 

Clever Logger

yes

AQ Box

no

Price - single fridge

How much is the system up front?

At the time of comparison (December 2022), a new Clever Logger system was only $365 while AQ-Box was listed at $600

yes
no

Price - additional fridges

Each AQ-Box is effectively a standalone unit and the price is the same per unit.

With Clever Logger, a single gateway is required per “site” (i.e. room / ward / department) and multiple loggers can communicate with the one gateway. This means that additional fridges are about $130 each.

yes
no

Ongoing fees

AQ-Box is free for the first year, and then has a $120 annual fee.

Clever Logger has no ongoing fees.

yes
no

Ease of installation

AQ-Box is built into a new Quirks medisafe fridge and connects straight to a 4G network. This is what Quirks love about the solution. But don’t try retrofitting it, or try to connect it to Ethernet or WiFi. 

Overall, Clever Logger has more advantages, but press “More Information” to see how Clever Logger is not the clear winner in every category.

Clever Logger

yes

AQ Box

no

Ease of installation of logger in existing fridge

AQ-Box requires a technician to install the logger in the fridge.  

Clever Logger just needs to placed in the fridge.

yes
no

Ease of installation of logger in a new fridge

AQ-Box is pre-installed in the factory.

Clever Logger just needs to be placed within the fridge.

For new fridges, it would seem to be a draw. 

yes
yes

Can it move to a replacement fridge

AQ-Box is pre-installed in the factory. It can’t be easily transferred to a replacement fridge.

Clever Logger just needs to be placed within the fridge.

yes
no

4G connectivity

If a mobile signal is available, AQ-Box will connect to the internet without much hardship.

Clever Logger requires a third party 4G modem to connect. These are available from Telstra, Optus, etc and would then have a monthly data fee associated with them. 

no
yes

Ethernet connectivity

AQ-Box only supports mobile connectivity and can not make use of a local network.

Clever Logger recommends the use of Ethernet where available. 

yes
no

Wi-Fi connectivity

AQ-Box only supports mobile connectivity and can not make use of a local Wi-Fi network.

Clever Logger supports most of the modern common Wi-Fi protocols and a growing number of Enterprise Wi-Fi protocols

yes
no

In the event of power failure...

AQ-Box has a short term advantage (it will give you live data for a couple of hours) but Clever Logger is the clear winner for extended failures or where you need to move stock.

Clever Logger

yes

AQ Box

no

Short term power failure

AQ Box is a clear winner when it comes to a short term power failure. It isn’t reliant on the local network so it can continue to update you on the fridge temperature. 

Clever Logger will immediately notify you that it is offline. This could be due to a power failure or network failure. When power resumes, all missing temperature readings are retrieved and uploaded to the cloud server. You won’t lose data, but just won’t be able to see it while there is a power failure.

no
yes

Extended power failure

AQ Box has up to 24 hours battery backup. After that, it will lose connectivity. We haven’t been able to have official confirmation but it sounds like logging will also be lost after that. 

Clever Logger will continue to log the temperature in the logger’s memory. When power is restored the data is immediately uploaded to the cloud server. The Clever Logger can store nearly a month’s worth of data while disconnected from the server.

yes
yes

Stays with your vaccine?

AQ Box is built into your fridge. If you move the vaccines out (e.g. into an eski for storage or transport during a blackout) then you are no longer logging the vaccine temperature.

Clever Logger can easily be moved into the eski or alternative fridge and continue to monitor the vaccine temperature throughout the power failure.

yes
no

Data life

Clever Logger currently has no limit on how long data will be stored for. 

AQ-Box will only store data for 3 months. 

Given that most compliance checks happen once every 2 years, it would be nice to have 2 years of data. Clever Logger is the clear winner.

Clever Logger

yes

AQ Box

no

Outputs

AQ-Box has some outputs. I assume they can be connected to local devices so that they can trigger an alarm nearby, or to your security panel. The online documentation for what it can do is a bit light on.

Clever Logger currently has no local output support. 

Clever Logger

no

AQ Box

yes

Automatic reports

Clever Logger is totally committed to “fully automated” right down to automatically sending you a report to your email. You don’t have to login and use the app. The report is just there waiting for you.

Clever Logger

yes

AQ Box

no

Ease of use

AQ-Box has a short term advantage (it will give you live data for a couple of hours) but Clever Logger is the clear winner for extended failures or where you need to move stock.

Clever Logger

yes

AQ Box

no

Designed for pharmacies and GPs?

AQ-Box was designed by a company that appears to specialise in lift maintenance. The software is great for engineers and technicians.

Clever Logger was designed specifically for pharmacists and GPs. It was designed to be easy to use, and give you access to essential information quickly and easily.

yes
no

Easy graph

OK, this is me being a bit mean. The AQ-Box graph is just unfriendly. I’m sort of rubbing their nose in how bad it is.

Clever Logger allows easy panning and zooming. You can easily see problems, zoom in on them, and know exactly what is going on.

yes
yes

Simple dashboard

One is designed for pharmacists and GPs, and one is designed for engineers. 

It’s a bit like comparing the dashboard of a car with the cockpit of a plane. Both are great for their intended purpose, but would you want to navigate a cockpit just to drive to the shops?

yes
no

Which temperature logger is best for you?

Clever Logger

aq-cl
  • You have 24/7 internet access
  • You want all the perks of a cloud based system without ongoing fees
  • You want a very easy to use solution designed for pharmacists and GPs

AQ Box

aqbox
  • It came supplied with the fridge and you are in the first year free access
  • You do not have 24/7 internet access

Want to see Clever Logger in action? Here are 4 risk-free ways

Option 1: Demo videos

Scroll down to see videos on what Clever Logger looks like, how to see temperature readings, graphs, alarms and reports.

Option 2: Demo login

Log into Clever Logger using our demo account and see it for your self.

Username = demo

Option 3: Risk free trial

We have a 30-day free trial of a single unit. This is a great way to see Clever Logger in use with a single fridge. 

Option 4: Risk free purchase

We have a total satisfaction guarantee. If we can’t get the system working on your site (and there are some that we can’t), or it doesn’t deliver on your expectations then we have a money back guarantee.

30-DAY FREE TRIAL

You're going to love Clever Logger

To prove it, we’ll send you a Starter Kit to try out for a whole month.

Set it up, have a play, explore the features – obligation free.

If you love it, just let us know.

If not, just send it back.

What is NATA?

The National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) is the recognised national accreditation authority for analytical laboratories and testing service providers in Australia. It is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that provides independent assurance of technical competence. 

NATA accredits organisations to perform testing and inspection activities for their products and services. This gives consumers the assurance they need to make safe, healthy and reliable choices .

Location Views

In the top right corner of the Location page, you will find the View chooser.

There are three options: Simple, Detailed and Gauge.

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