There are fundamental differences. Data loggers are expensive and typically are designed to go on large shipments. They are not an immediate tool as they need to be returned/connected for the data to be read and acted on, and they have to be used repeatedly to justify the expense. They also require power. Timestrip® PLUS indicators are less expensive, require no power, are single use and can be instantly read by the end user. They have unique serial numbers to ensure the traceability of each indicator to avoid the potential for manipulation across the distribution chain. As well as being effective for large shipments, Timestrip® PLUS are small light and cost effective enough to be used at the carton or single unit level. Using them at multiple points within a shipment or container can isolate unacceptable temperature pockets. Data loggers provide a full history of temperature from the time of activation. Timestrip® PLUS records how long a product has been above its threshold temperature (up to the maximum printed on the scale - usually 8 or 12 cumulative hours) but cannot tell you when the breach or breaches occurred. Timestrip® PLUS is most often used to monitor and validate the ‚ 'last-mile' of a cold chain or other temperature environment, in other words, when the product is close to its eventual use. In some cases data loggers and Timestrip® PLUS indicators may be used in complementary ways to help monitor temperatures.