Track and trace
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In the distribution and
The track and trace concept can be supported by means of reckoning and reporting of the position of vehicles and containers with the property of concern, stored, for example, in a
Another approach is to report the arrival or departure of the object and recording the identification of the object, the location where observed, the time, and the status. This approach leaves the task to verify the reports regarding consistency and completeness. An example of this method might be the package tracking provided by shippers, such as the United States Postal Service, Deutsche Post, Royal Mail, United Parcel Service, AirRoad, or FedEx.
Technology
The international standards organization
In response to a growing number of
RFID is synonymous with track-and-trace solutions, and has a critical role to play in supply chains. RFID is a code-carrying technology, and can be used in place of a barcode to enable non-line of sight-reading. Deployment of RFID was earlier inhibited by cost limitations but the usage is now increasing.
Barcoding is a common and cost-effective method used to implement traceability at both the item and case-level. Variable data in a barcode or a numeric or alphanumeric code format can be applied to the packaging or label. The secure data can be used as a pointer to traceability information and can also correlate with production data such as time to market and product quality.[2]
Packaging
- Inkjet(dot on demand or continuous) systems are capable of printing high resolution (300 dpi or higher for dot on demand) images at press speed (up to 1000fpm). These solutions can be deployed either on-press or off-line.
- Lasermarking can be employed to ablate a coating or to cause a color change in certain materials. The advantage of laser is fine detail and high speed for character printing, and no consumables. Not all substrates accept a laser mark, and certain colors (e.g. red) are not suitable for barcode reading.
- Thermal transfer and direct thermal. For lower speed off-press applications, thermal transfer and direct thermal printers are ideal for printing variable data on labels.
Uses
Serialization facilitates supply chain agility: visibility into supply chain activities and the ability to take responsive action. Particular benefits include the ability to recognise and isolate counterfeit products and to improve the efficiency of product recall management.[3]
Consumers can access web sites to trace the origins of their purchased products or to find the status of shipments. Consumers can type a code found on an item into a search box at the tracing website and view information. This can also be done via a smartphone taking a picture of a 2D barcode and thereby opening up a website that verifies the product (i.e. product authentication).
Serialization has a significant and legally endorsed safety role in the pharmaceutical industry.[4]
See also
- Drug distribution
- Mobile asset management
- Real-time locating system
- Tracking system
References
- PMID 31275566.
- ^ Traceability: Giving every product an authentic identity, Package Printing, June 1, 2008
- ^ McCutcheon, S., Manufacturers are Seizing Opportunities across the Supply Chain, IndustryWeek, published 6 November 2008, accessed 15 August 2023
- ^ Tiga Health, What Serialization Means for Pharma Manufacturing, accessed 30 July 2023