A shipping and storage system which has an access panel with an optional open/close status sensor, and a payload carrier with an affixed sensor connected to a tracking module that monitors the environment of the payload carrier, such as temperature, against a pre-determined threshold for compliance with pre-determined handling and storage requirements for a specific payload type, such as a specific blood product. When a violation is detected by the tracking module, a user alert or user interface is activated. Advanced features optionally include a plurality of pre-determined threshold sets for a plurality of specific payload types, a tamper detection function based on the access panel status and optional weight changes in the payload carrier, and wireless connectivity to allow mobile device and cloud-based enhanced management functions.
