Logistics is an indispensable sector for our country today. From products on supermarket shelves to parcels delivered to our doorsteps, logistics plays a vital role in every aspect of our daily lives. However, this efficiency and fluidity in the supply chain doesn’t happen by chance. The key to success in logistics is the ability to track and monitor every movement, every package and every vehicle in real time. In this increasingly connected and dynamic world, real-time tracking and monitoring have become fundamental pillars for efficiency, safety and customer satisfaction.
In this article, we’ll explore the crucial importance of this practice in modern logistics and the main technologies that make it possible.
What is the difference between tracking and tracing?
In logistics, tracking and tracing are two distinct but complementary concepts that play crucial roles in efficient supply chain management. Tracking refers to the ability to follow the exact location of an item, vehicle or load in real time, regardless of the environment, whether in logistics yards, roads or storage warehouses.
On the other hand, monitoring involves the continuous collection of relevant data and information related to performance, environmental conditions, temperature, humidity, speed, fuel consumption, among others, associated with the transportation or storage of products. While tracking focuses on physical location, monitoring provides valuable information on the condition and status of goods. Both are essential components for optimizing the efficiency, safety and reliability of logistics operations.
Benefits of tracking in logistics
Security: Helps monitor the safety of vehicles and storage facilities, identifying unauthorized events or risky situations.
Preventive Maintenance: Provides data on the wear and tear of assets such as trucks and machinery, enabling preventive maintenance to avoid failures and unplanned interruptions.
Regulatory Compliance: Helps ensure that operations comply with regulations and quality standards, reducing the risk of fines and penalties, such as the professional driver working hours law.
Performance Analysis: Facilitates analysis of the performance of logistics operations, allowing adjustments to be made to increase efficiency and productivity.
Product Quality and Integrity: Allows environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity to be monitored, ensuring that products are stored and transported in ideal conditions.
Benefits of tracking in logistics
Real-time visibility: Allows companies to track the precise location of goods, vehicles and assets in real time, which facilitates planning and quick decision-making.
Reduced Loss and Theft: Helps prevent theft and loss, as companies can immediately identify any deviations or problems on the route.
Better Customer Service: Allows accurate information to be provided to customers about the location and status of their deliveries, improving customer satisfaction.
Route Optimization: Helps to find more efficient routes, saving time and fuel, thus reducing operating costs.
Better Inventory Management: Facilitates real-time inventory control, allowing companies to know exactly where their products are stored.
The main technologies used in these processes
The ability to determine the exact geographical position and trajectory of vehicles, products and assets is an essential resource for modern logistics. Thanks to GPS, barcodes and RFID technology, this is a reality in today’s logistics. These technologies enable precise, real-time tracking of items, from trucks to individual products. This not only offers instant visibility, but also helps to optimize routes, reduce theft and provide detailed information to customers.
Another important and already widely used technology is telemetry, which collects information from vehicles in real time. This information is gathered in a centralized system and helps fleet managers to give feedback to drivers on how they drive their vehicles to ensure safety and good use of fleet resources.
As well as tracking location, it is crucial to monitor the condition of assets. Temperature, humidity and pressure sensors play a key role in observing the environmental variables that affect goods during transportation and storage. These sensors minimize the risk of sensitive products deteriorating. In addition, vibration and movement sensors help detect unauthorized handling or damage to cargo. Integrated with the Internet of Things (IoT), these network-connected sensors make it possible to obtain data in real time, allowing immediate action to be taken when necessary.
The usefulness of data analysis and software platforms
The continuous flow of information generates vast amounts of data. In this context, big data analysis is of significant importance. By interpreting this data, organizations can identify trends, improve operations and base decisions on solid foundations. In addition, cloud-based logistics management software platforms harmonize all these technologies, providing centralized dashboards for real-time tracking and monitoring.
Final considerations
In summary, tracking and tracing technologies are essential pillars in the modernization of logistics, making it more efficient, secure and reliable. These tools ensure that products reach their destination in the best possible condition and provide essential control over logistics operations.
Roboflex offers complete solutions with connectivity between different types of systems and sensors through hubs, smart cases and other hardware used in the Roboflex® ecosystem. It allows hardware to be installed without damaging the vehicles, to be fixed without the risk of falling due to vibrations and other features of the operation. It is also possible to use Roboflex® brackets to attach fatigue sensors, preventing vandalism, altered positioning and even theft.
These solutions turn the tablet into an on-board computer for use in journey control systems, telemetry, routing and video monitoring, and allow user interaction with checklist features, inspections and operational tools. It allows the user to track and monitor all the information in real time, guaranteeing the continuity and efficiency of the operation, and the full functioning of the system without complications.
Find out more about our logistics solutions by clicking here.
