Traceability is the ability to trace the history, use or location of an activity, item or similar activities, by means of a recorded identification. Coupled with EDI, this gives you an overview of your supply chain and enables you to detect possible areas for optimisation.
There are several forms, of which the following is a non-exhaustive list:
- upstream traceability: procedures and tools put in place before an organisation is involved in the production chain. It makes it possible to identify all suppliers and raw materials
- downstream traceability: processes and tools put in place when the finished product is delivered. It allows the identification of customers and products delivered
- internal traceability: all the data defining the stages between the reception of raw materials and the manufacture of the finished product.
- upward traceability (tracing): allows the origin and characteristics of a product to be known at any point in the chain
- downward traceability (tracking): allows to find the corresponding finished products and their destinations from the raw materials. Ideal for a product recall strategy
We distinguish two main families: one for the traceability of products and another for the actors in your supply chain.
For products, services
- GTIN (Global Trade Item Number or EAN): article, product or service identification code
- SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code): 18-digit code, the identity card for logistics units
- 2D code (datamatrix): allows a large amount of information to be represented on a surface of 1cm2
- RFID: enables the storage and reading of data (without contact) relating to products at each stage of a supply chain
- DNA identification for products from the living world (fish, meat, mushrooms, wood
For actors
- GLN: 13-digit code determining the actors in your supply chain (factories, warehouses, companies, etc.)
Finally, the logistic label gathers the GLN, SSCC and GTIN to centralise data, identify products, track movements and thus estimate delivery times.
