Intelligent end-to-end parcel tracking and tracing systems
The CEN/ISSS have designed and implemented an end-to-end tracking and tracing system, such that the instant location of any given package can be made available anywhere and anytime. Using RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) technology where the respective RFID chips are no bigger than a grain of sand, the ParcelCall project aims provide continuous monitoring information of the track and trace functions. Within this project, there were three primary objectives consisting of item level tracking and tracing, real-time continuous tracking and smooth integration into existing IT applications. As a result, the project developed two workshop agreements that set the agreed requirements of the tracking and tracing systems and the functional specifications on open multi-modal tracking and tracing systems. Such tracking systems are a wish come true for many end users and also for certain suppliers, simply because the need for customer demand forecasting is almost eradicated. Further, such technology will enable the end user to know the exact content of their stock levels, right down to an individual item; and when new stock is due for arrival. Additional benefits include enhanced security details necessary for open and seamless real-time tracking and tracing between different carriers and countries. Additional benefits that are already envisaged present themselves in the ability to transmit the environmental conditions to the controller so that the required environmental parameters are not exceeded. This feature may also enable re-routing of specific cargos so that the quality of the consignments does not deteriorate during transit, even in the case of unexpected traffic scenarios. The short-term future for these overall distribution systems will eventually realise short-range and long-range communication sub-systems via technology such as Bluetooth and GPRS. Whereas for the long-term future, intelligent thinking tags are also taking shape, and are based on the requirements of postal, express and air cargo carriers. And because the open architecture is currently being developed, these far-off systems are not as far away as some people may think.
