Logistics traceability
Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2025 6:24 am
Traceability in logistics is essential today in the distribution sector due to the many advantages it brings to the company, improving its management and customer service. Not only due to the needs of the company, but also on certain occasions, due to certain requirements of public authorities, quality controls, etc.
For example, logistics traceability helps companies identify fusion database potential critical inefficiencies, bottlenecks or incidents in the supply chain . Identifying them will allow them to correct, improve and optimize the quality of processes and customer service.
How does it benefit consumers? It helps them in their purchasing decisions, as they will have information on the origin and progress of the products they are buying.
We see this in e-commerce cases , where online stores offer their customers a logistics traceability system, reducing the uncertainty associated with shipping and improving satisfaction during the purchasing process. Who among us hasn't followed the tracking of that gift we bought for someone we love?
It is worth mentioning the importance of logistics traceability and its benefits for public health, especially in sectors such as food or pharmaceuticals, where they are mandatory. Thanks to traceability, if a health alert occurs due to a food product in poor condition, we can locate the affected batch and withdraw it from the market.
What is traceability in logistics?
Traceability in logistics is the set of procedures and measures that allow goods to be recorded and identified from their origin to their final destination.
This is intended to track the goods from the production centre through the stages in the supply chain, to know where the product is and in what condition.
Why is traceability important in logistics?
Traceability is a fundamental aspect of modern logistics. Companies operating in this sector have to ensure that products move through the supply chain efficiently and safely . Traceability is the ability to track and follow the movement of products at each stage of the supply chain. This capability allows companies to monitor quality, safety and compliance with delivery deadlines .
In addition, it also helps prevent errors and detect problems at any point in the supply chain, allowing companies to correct any failures in logistics management quickly and efficiently. In short, traceability is essential to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of logistics operations, as well as to ensure customer satisfaction and compliance with regulations.
Traceability systems in the logistics sector
In the transport of goods, having traceability systems in logistics ( ERP ) is essential to control all the stages that a product goes through throughout the entire production process and its subsequent distribution, until it reaches the final consumer.
But it must be taken into account that there is no single method to carry out this procedure, since there are different types of traceability in logistics :
Backward traceability. It is also known as tracing traceability . It refers to the identification of the products that arrive at a company and the supplier's information. They are usually final products, raw materials or components. It allows the origin of a batch or a specific load to be found and is very useful in the food sector when a health alert occurs.
Forward traceability. It is also known as forward tracking or tracking . It refers to products that are ready to leave the company and the client to which they are destined. It is the best known in logistics and allows the route of a load to be followed, as well as estimating the time of arrival at the destination. Its strong point is that it allows real-time tracking.
Internal traceability. It is also known as process traceability because it refers to the process of tracking products within the company. The objective is to know what enters and leaves the company with information on the route of the product in case it is damaged.
External traceability. Records information from sources external to the company.
Traceability tools in logistics
In addition to the different types of traceability that exist, this set of procedures uses a series of tools that adapt to the activity of companies so that they can obtain the greatest profitability from the management and marketing of their products.
RFID Tags: Radio Frequency Identification Technology tracks individual products, reducing loss or theft, as well as knowing the route that the product is following in real time without having to have direct contact with that product.
Warehouse management software: applications such as ubiqApp simplify warehouse operations and processes. This solution, developed by ARBENTIA, allows you to optimize the productivity of warehouse tasks by easily integrating ERP and mobility, controlling information from any location and device and reducing time and costs.
Inventory management systems (IMS): this software helps companies to control and manage available stock . Thanks to this traceability tool, the processes of input, output, tracking or inventory of products are automated and monitored, which helps to have real-time control and save time and costs.
Blockchain technology: Although Bitcoin may come to mind, blockchain technology has more uses. Logistics companies can use it to secure high-value products and prevent counterfeiting. In addition, it is very useful for saving intermediaries since with this block technology they can automate a large number of processes such as paying invoices.
Transportation management software (TMS): This tool controls and tracks a logistics company's fleet, reducing delivery times by minimizing routes, distances traveled, or travel times. In addition, carriers, suppliers, and customers can maintain permanent and continuous communication, thus improving delivery management and minimizing errors.
Quality management software: offering good quality to customers is essential for logistics companies, but it can be difficult to control that all processes in the chain comply with quality standards. However, the use of mobile applications such as qualiApp will help control all processes related to quality management and have a 360ยบ vision, covering all the axes that any distribution or manufacturing company may need from the point of view of quality: products, suppliers and customers.
Telemetry Systems for Vehicles: Unlike TMS, telemetry systems are based on remote measurement and transmission technologies through which logistics companies can collect data on the speed, location, fuel consumption, driving patterns or maintenance of the fleet's vehicles. Companies perform preventive maintenance that improves transport efficiency by knowing the status of the vehicles at all times, offering greater reliability to their customers and safety to carriers.
For example, logistics traceability helps companies identify fusion database potential critical inefficiencies, bottlenecks or incidents in the supply chain . Identifying them will allow them to correct, improve and optimize the quality of processes and customer service.
How does it benefit consumers? It helps them in their purchasing decisions, as they will have information on the origin and progress of the products they are buying.
We see this in e-commerce cases , where online stores offer their customers a logistics traceability system, reducing the uncertainty associated with shipping and improving satisfaction during the purchasing process. Who among us hasn't followed the tracking of that gift we bought for someone we love?
It is worth mentioning the importance of logistics traceability and its benefits for public health, especially in sectors such as food or pharmaceuticals, where they are mandatory. Thanks to traceability, if a health alert occurs due to a food product in poor condition, we can locate the affected batch and withdraw it from the market.
What is traceability in logistics?
Traceability in logistics is the set of procedures and measures that allow goods to be recorded and identified from their origin to their final destination.
This is intended to track the goods from the production centre through the stages in the supply chain, to know where the product is and in what condition.
Why is traceability important in logistics?
Traceability is a fundamental aspect of modern logistics. Companies operating in this sector have to ensure that products move through the supply chain efficiently and safely . Traceability is the ability to track and follow the movement of products at each stage of the supply chain. This capability allows companies to monitor quality, safety and compliance with delivery deadlines .
In addition, it also helps prevent errors and detect problems at any point in the supply chain, allowing companies to correct any failures in logistics management quickly and efficiently. In short, traceability is essential to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of logistics operations, as well as to ensure customer satisfaction and compliance with regulations.
Traceability systems in the logistics sector
In the transport of goods, having traceability systems in logistics ( ERP ) is essential to control all the stages that a product goes through throughout the entire production process and its subsequent distribution, until it reaches the final consumer.
But it must be taken into account that there is no single method to carry out this procedure, since there are different types of traceability in logistics :
Backward traceability. It is also known as tracing traceability . It refers to the identification of the products that arrive at a company and the supplier's information. They are usually final products, raw materials or components. It allows the origin of a batch or a specific load to be found and is very useful in the food sector when a health alert occurs.
Forward traceability. It is also known as forward tracking or tracking . It refers to products that are ready to leave the company and the client to which they are destined. It is the best known in logistics and allows the route of a load to be followed, as well as estimating the time of arrival at the destination. Its strong point is that it allows real-time tracking.
Internal traceability. It is also known as process traceability because it refers to the process of tracking products within the company. The objective is to know what enters and leaves the company with information on the route of the product in case it is damaged.
External traceability. Records information from sources external to the company.
Traceability tools in logistics
In addition to the different types of traceability that exist, this set of procedures uses a series of tools that adapt to the activity of companies so that they can obtain the greatest profitability from the management and marketing of their products.
RFID Tags: Radio Frequency Identification Technology tracks individual products, reducing loss or theft, as well as knowing the route that the product is following in real time without having to have direct contact with that product.
Warehouse management software: applications such as ubiqApp simplify warehouse operations and processes. This solution, developed by ARBENTIA, allows you to optimize the productivity of warehouse tasks by easily integrating ERP and mobility, controlling information from any location and device and reducing time and costs.
Inventory management systems (IMS): this software helps companies to control and manage available stock . Thanks to this traceability tool, the processes of input, output, tracking or inventory of products are automated and monitored, which helps to have real-time control and save time and costs.
Blockchain technology: Although Bitcoin may come to mind, blockchain technology has more uses. Logistics companies can use it to secure high-value products and prevent counterfeiting. In addition, it is very useful for saving intermediaries since with this block technology they can automate a large number of processes such as paying invoices.
Transportation management software (TMS): This tool controls and tracks a logistics company's fleet, reducing delivery times by minimizing routes, distances traveled, or travel times. In addition, carriers, suppliers, and customers can maintain permanent and continuous communication, thus improving delivery management and minimizing errors.
Quality management software: offering good quality to customers is essential for logistics companies, but it can be difficult to control that all processes in the chain comply with quality standards. However, the use of mobile applications such as qualiApp will help control all processes related to quality management and have a 360ยบ vision, covering all the axes that any distribution or manufacturing company may need from the point of view of quality: products, suppliers and customers.
Telemetry Systems for Vehicles: Unlike TMS, telemetry systems are based on remote measurement and transmission technologies through which logistics companies can collect data on the speed, location, fuel consumption, driving patterns or maintenance of the fleet's vehicles. Companies perform preventive maintenance that improves transport efficiency by knowing the status of the vehicles at all times, offering greater reliability to their customers and safety to carriers.