Title: Performance evaluation of tracking and tracing for logistics operations

Authors: A.H.M. Shamsuzzoha; Mikael Ehrs; Richard Addo-Tenkorang; Duy Nguyen; Petri T. Helo

Addresses: Department of Production, University of Vaasa, P.O. Box 700, FI-65101, Finland. ' Department of Production, University of Vaasa, P.O. Box 700, FI-65101, Finland. ' Department of Production, University of Vaasa, P.O. Box 700, FI-65101, Finland. ' Department of Production, University of Vaasa, P.O. Box 700, FI-65101, Finland. ' Department of Production, University of Vaasa, P.O. Box 700, FI-65101, Finland

Abstract: Today's complex logistics and supply chain management demands the continuous monitoring and managing of ever increasing shipment chains. This motivates the need for goods-centric tracking and tracing of logistics items, which ensures the opportunity to increase visibility and control in different logistics operations of a company. Recent technological developments enable manufacturing companies to trace and track goods over their entire life cycle and manage supply chain operations across organisational boundaries. The available auto-ID technologies such as barcodes, QR (quick response) codes, RFID (radio frequency identification) tags, etc., are widely used for monitoring the material flow in the logistics chain. However, a gap exists in evaluating performance and feasibility before implementing such technologies in respect to logistics and supply chain tracking and tracing network. Based on this research gap, this paper presents a methodology to measure the performance evaluation of available tracking and tracing technologies. An experimental set up was established and conducted with the objective of measuring the performances of the tracking technologies and tools. This research study would be a supportive roadmap for manufacturing companies before implementing suitable tracking and tracing technologies and tools in future everyday business operations.

Keywords: logistics tracking; logistics tracing; autoID technologies; supply chain management; SCM; performance management; automatic identification; material flow; flow monitoring; manufacturing firms; barcodes; quick response codes; RFID; radio frequency identification.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2013.050587

International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, 2013 Vol.5 No.1, pp.31 - 54

Received: 05 Aug 2011
Accepted: 11 Apr 2012
Published online: 28 Feb 2014 *

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