Tracking and Tracing of Global Supply Chain Network - Case Study from a Finnish Company

Abstract

Supply chain and logistics network tracking and tracing is an important element of customer service in the transportation industry. Existing technologies are mostly suitable for single channel supply chain and are not suitable for multi-channel supply network. The objective of this research study is therefore to outline technological knowhow and possibilities related to tracking and tracking items within distributed supply chain and logistics network. This research has focused to implement a novel tracking system applicable for total supply network both inbound and outbound shipments. This study is validated within the boundary of how the available tracking technologies can be useful for a Finnish case company to manage its geographically dispersed projects and hundreds of suppliers, transport companies and warehouse operators. Both hybrid and cloud enable online-based tracking systems are proposed in this research. The application of the proposed tracking technologies provides the case company with real-time visibility on its current logistics assets.

Digital supply chain to unlock new agility: a TISM approach

“…Such specialized skills allow logistics companies to deliver packages with lesser distribution attempts (Ben-Chaim et al , 2013). This hybrid approach will span different parts of the supply chain network (Shamsuzzoha et al , 2015).…”

“…RFID is particularly useful for inventory processes and material handling in warehouses, but as soon as the RFID-tagged goods leave the warehouse, tracking becomes difficult. He et al , (2009) conducted research which involved the creation of a new track and trace solution using RFID and GPS, both of which are used to track vehicles (Shamsuzzoha et al , 2015).…”