The main objective of this research is to the management of
logistics network through analyzing the new technological opportunities on
real-time shipment tracking in dispersed manufacturing environment. It is hoped
that these technologies would be able to offer solutions for tracking and
tracing distribution chains through future information technologies such as
available real time tracking technologies.
Tracking system helps to identify the position of the
shipment and informed the customer in well advance. This system might fulfill
the needs of project manager to map the production process from transportation
to material management. Most of the available tracking and tracing systems
utilize proprietary tracking numbers defined by the individual companies operating
systems and are based on information architecture, where the tracking
information is centralized to the provider of the tracking service.
Without proper and suitable tracking and tracing system,
efficient co-ordination of logistic flow would be difficult to acquire. Through
the implementation of this system, it is possible to detect and reacting any
uneven situations in the logistics chain and where needed significant problems
can be resolved or at least the damage can be minimized. This system is also
considered as a key service requirement for the global transportation
industries especially, when they are integrated with the manufacturing
companies adopting just-in-time operational strategy. In case of tracking and
tracing technology several issues are considered to be applicable in an
inter-organizational communication such as operational scope, goods
identification technology, coding of the tracked items, information
architecture, accessing the tracking information etc.
The term tracking can be identified as the collecting and
managing the information of the present location of a product(s) or delivery
item(s). On the other hand, tracing system signifies to storing and retaining
the life cycle history of the manufacturing and distribution of product(s) and
its components. This tracking tracing system is considered an extremely useful
service in the industrial logistics management and for satisfying higher
customers’ demands . Organizational managers noticed this tracking
system as a means of strengthening their market position through improved
customers’ satisfaction and implementation of information technology (IT). This
system covers globally both physical and information logistics networks more
transparency with effectively and efficiently in today’s changing market
environments. However, most of the existing tracking of shipments is designed
for the purpose of a single organization and therefore there is lacking of
tracking and tracing for multi-organization environments.
Codifying the Shipped
Item
Before implementing the tracking and tracing system for any
shipped item it is required to codify based on the specific functionalities of
the logistics network. The function of codifying an item or product is to
facilitate the easy information exchange between the potential partners of the
logistics chain. Before coding a deliverable item care should be taken in order
to develop the error free tracking and tracing network and the provision for
safeguard extensions for future applications. Product codification has several
functionalities such as; tracking and management of transportation, efficient
storage and retrieval of items, sorting of products or items, tracking of work
in process in case of manufacturing processes etc. Shipped items with proper
coding enable automated and inexpensive information exchange between logistics
partners and provide a more current and flexible view of business networks. The
available technologies for tracking and tracing include: barcode, radio
frequency identification (RFID), magnetic stripe, voice and vision systems,
optical character recognition and biometrics. The predominant choice of
identification technology is bar coding, where the system utilize mostly
proprietary tracking numbers defined by the company operating system and are
based on information architecture. The tracking information is centralized to
the provider of the tracking service from where customer to access the tracking
information through interfacing or integrating with the tracking system.
Tracking and Tracing
of the Shipped Item
The technology behind the tracking and tracing of a coded
shipped item is started from an infrared code reader. This code reader stored
the full history of the tracked item such as item name, shipment starting date,
item price etc. After storing the initial information of the item, it is
travelled to various locations on its way to the end point. Each of the
travelled location there is a server to identify the item location. A
centralized server keeps the necessary tracking information all the way of the
item to the potential customer. This server is connected to each of the
intermediate servers on the way of coded item. The shipped item is also
monitored all the way and the required information is stored in the central
tracking database from where the information is retrieved according to
necessary.
The server at each of
the location contains the information of the item regarding item name, location
ID, current time, item quality and quantity etc. In quality checking, the item
is scanned for its status such as damaged or partial damaged or not especially
in case of perishable item, broken fully or partially or not in case of
non-perishable item etc. The quantity checking also ensures the missed or
stolen item from the shipped cartons or lots. This quantity checking prevents
the malpractice of misplaced or lost the shipped items and ensures the exact
quantity as it was from the base station. It is therefore clear that the
successful tracking and tracing embedded within business application requires
item coding for necessary identification. Usually items or products that differ
in form, fit or function are tagged with a different code.
Available Tracking
and Tracing Software
With the view to maximize profits and gain the vital
competitive edge over rival companies, it is very important to capitalized
business with the latest tracking and tracing technology. Good business should
have a controlled and well planned approach to work. This means that good
software can track and trace the business activities throughout the delivery
process. The software not only maximizing efficiency in the delivery and
collection process, but also allows firms to give far better customer service.
It enables to inform the client of an item’s exact position, thereby offering a
more accurate estimated time of arrival and able to nip a problem in the
bud putting the delivery back on
schedule.
Most of the tracking and tracing software are purely internet based
real-time system that users can access from anywhere that has an internet
connection and a web browser. The web-based technologies used in the software
system enable secure remote access to the system from any location at any
real-time. These technologies have sound knowledge in both key areas of
transport management and warehouse management which offer optimum performance
and reliability on the traffic or warehouse system. Accurate and applicable
real-time tracking technologies for logistics network create common
understanding about how to facilitate logistics network in the development of
overall companies’ goals.
References:
1. Helo, P., and
Szekely, B., 2005, “Logistics Information Systems: An Analysis of Software
Solutions for Supply Chain Co-Ordination,” Industrial Management and Data
Systems, 105(1), 5-18.
2. Willesdorf,
R.G., 1991, “Adding Value Through Logistics Management,” International Journal
of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 21(4), 6-8.
3. Giannopoulos,
G.A., 2003, “The Application of Information and Communication Technologies In
Transport,” European Journal of Operational Research, 152(2), 302-320.
4. Jansen, M.H.,
1998, “The Environment as a Resource; Developing Environmental Information
Systems Based on Enterprise Resource-Planning Software,” Eindhoven University
of Technology, Eindhoven, PhD Thesis
5. van Hoek, R.,
2002, “Using Information Technology to Leverage Transport and Logistics Service
Operations in the Supply Chain: An Empirical Assessment of The Interrelation
Between Technology and Operations Management,” International Journal of Information
Technology and Management, 1(1), 115- 130.
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