A Guide To Container Tracking With Latest Technologies
In the closed loop supply chain system, containers are used for dispatching goods. The containers are loaded with expensive items and are highly vulnerable to theft and terrorism. This necessitates measures for improving security for the containers. Enhancing the security of the container could definitely improve the supply chain efficiencies. This has to lead to the emergence of several technologies and solutions for global container tracking that includes cellular, satellite, ultra-wideband, RIFD, GPS and optical character recognition.
The system of container tracking can improve the supply chains through better material handling and shipment visibility. This system is especially effective in case of food transportation. This not only enables the accurate tracking of the goods, it also allows the managers to confirm that the goods are delivered on time (before the goods expiry date), and proper environmental condition is met.
The container tracking technologies such as Bar-code, GPS, Wi-Fi networks and environmental sensing are gradually being adopted as an essential part of open supply chain as retailers and suppliers. This would optimize the efficiency of the process and secure.
Ranges of technologies are employed including GPS, Bar-code, Wi-Fi networks and environmental sensing for container tracking. The RFID is becoming more important for the open supply chain with the retailers and suppliers looking to maximize the efficiency of their process as well as to secure the various legs in the supply chain. Container tracking systems feature real time monitoring of cargoes - both in storage and transit and from dispatch to final delivery. Moreover, the reusable seal forms an important part of the system and makes the system cargo load responsive along its journey. It enables sending and receiving of data to the trackers through low frequency transmissions, within a close range. For long-range tracking, the systems use high frequency to assert that the seals remain intact. The entire data gets stored automatically. There are other container tracking systems that identify the containers with the help of RF tag and barcode. These are scanned at every ‘milestone' in the transport chain. Even though the system basically uses the barcode and RF tagging, it is not limited to these input devices only, they can also work with data-capture devices, which includes GPS signaling units. Further, the container tracking systems are web-enable, which allows the ability to track the container as well as contents from any corner of the world. It sends automatic e-mails and faxes configured by the client for reporting of any management and exception alert. Apart from continuous container tracking in real time, the systems also make sure that ‘exception' reports are generated. As the container is scanned, the operator types where the container is heading, if the operator fails to do so, it becomes apparent that there is some problem. Using the container tracking system becomes all more important as the shipping lines and ports around the world are not competent or helpful enough to provide right or up-to-date data on the containers. This is why the satellite based container tracking systems are great assets for maritime container industry. However, they are not applicable for most of the applications as satellite airtime is costly. The system may not be able to track work if a container is at the bottom of a stack of containers. However, the features of the system makes it clear that incorporation of container tracking system provides a range of benefits that can be realized by both supplier and end customer.
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