Bar-code facility improves track and trace

Kevin Mayhew US-BASED NVOCC Direct Container Line has integrated bar coding and wireless hand-held scanners into its supply chain management processes, a move that will improve its service and allow for increased security and tracking of cargo, says Corinne French, director of SA agents United Maritime Logistics. “If we take for example the forwarder who entrusts his cargo to us, the chances are that he has made commitments to his customers for tracking and tracing and inventory management. Effectively, therefore, we have to deliver a very high level of information to them as their service level depends on our performance,” she said. The hand-held scanners are expected to streamline the freight receiving and handling processes by increasing the speed at which information is disseminated, she said. Information can be entered into the operations system directly from the hand-held device to speed up the receiving and confirmation process ensuring that cargo makes the cut-off. It also generates immediate email or fax notification if an error is detected.