Traceability Solution - Qodenext

Traceability in manufacturing refers to the ability to trace the parts, components and subassemblies to its point of origin. This is achieved through unique QR code or serial numbers that will be used in the entire production cycle until it reaches the final customer. When traceability is implemented, an organization is able to know the origin of components, inspection notes, production lifecycle, time spent at each workstation and production destinations.

Here are the six reasons why traceability in manufacturing is essential now.

Product Recall

When product recalls are required, traceability systems help to find out which component or system caused the problem. This helps in removing that component, part or sub component and ensures quality of product supplied. Product recalls can be costly and traceability helps in continuous improvement to obtain customer confidence and trust in the brand. Today, a company is part of a global supply chain and tracing the origin of a component or product is vital for sustenance and profitability. Meet Compliance Standards

In many industries such as pharmaceuticals, automotive, defence, food and electronics, it is mandated in regions such as the European Union as per law to implement traceability. Non adherence to traceability can lead to penalties or denial of access to markets.

Minimize Interruptions and Downtime

To remain competitive in global markets, it is essential to reduce down time and interruptions to manufacturing. Unless products, inventory and spares are easily traced to origin, it may be difficult to implement quality control and disruption in manufacturing operations. Advancement in technologies such as 2D bar codes, internet of things (IoT), RFID, datamatix ID have made it easier to permanently mark parts or components. Such technologies were costly to implement in the past but now quite affordable and available at competitive rates. Prevent Counterfeiting

Counterfeiting of goods is costing billions of dollars in lost business opportunities to industry across the world. Implementation of traceability helps in knowing whether the product or component used was fake or counterfeited. Use of barcodes, identifying marks known as 2DMI helps having the entire information captured in the database. It helps in resolving disputes about counterfeited goods. Customer Satisfaction

Implementation of traceability for the product and components helps in attaining higher satisfaction levels. Achieving end-to-end traceability is important to attain high levels of consumer satisfaction and resolving their issues. Root Cause Analysis

With traceability it is possible to identify potential problems before shipping a product and also when integrated with enterprise resource planning software (ERP), it is easier for the administration and accounts departments to get details of defective products. It makes it easier to trace it to the suppliers or vendors. Conclusion Manufacturers need to use different types of traceability to attain their goals which include downstream, upstream, internal and external traceability. Upstream tracing is meant for tracing of products from customer to manufacturer and to supplier, while external traceability refers to the ability to identify a product before entering the manufacturing facility and where it goes after leaving the facility. Downstream tracing is meant for products with guarantee or warranty provided by manufacturer or dealer. Downstream tracing is vital for recall of products. With more service providers to help you implement traceability in manufacturing, it is now easier to attain traceability standards with high performance, well-integrated traceability systems. It fully integrates into your internal enterprise resource planning (ERP) system thereby achieving internal and external efficiencies. It helps companies to have greater control over manufacturing processes and understand what makes products unique and successful. In short, manufacturing traceability improves supply chain visibility, quality control systems and reduces risk of business. If you are looking forward to implementing traceability in manufacturing or looking for manufacturing traceability solutions, Qodenext can provide you with all the support and assistance.

Traceability refers to identifying a product, raw material, component in the manufacturing system all the way back to the origin and forward to the customer. The stakeholders in the supply chain include suppliers, transporters, component manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. Traceability helps in identifying the exact point where something has gone wrong in the production and helps the company organize product recalls.

When manufacturing traceability is implemented every action or activity in the system leaves a trail that allows the company to identify a specific process to check what went wrong. In many industries such as healthcare, food, automotive, electronics, even a single mistake can have a large impact. Manufacturing traceability helps companies find the origin of components, inspection notes, production lifecycle, time spent at each workstation, and product destinations. Traceability helps in improving the processes and constantly generating data regarding the performance, costs, lead times, and other aspects of the business. How it is Implemented? Manufacturing traceability is the process by which all raw materials, work in progress (WIP) inventory, factory floor, warehouse, workstations, and points where the product goes through are accounted for and documented for future reference. Inventory tracking is of two types- stock lot tracking and serial number tracking. Stock Lot Numbers Stock lot numbers are used in lot tracking with each lot assigned unique numbers. This would help track their origin, expiry dates, value, certificates of conformity, quantity, and other details. In the event of a complaint raised on a product, it will be easier to locate the batch number and verify if other products in the batch have the same issues. Serial Numbers In the serial number tracking system, the serial numbers are assigned to individual items rather than groups of items. Finished goods may have serial numbers while raw materials may have lot numbers. Components can also have serial numbers to identify which components were used in specific products. Stock lot and serial number systems help in recording quality inspection reports with the concerned lot or serial number information. Traceability system is implemented through a traceability software as organising data on spread sheets can be time consuming and impossible to process large data. Modern enterprise resource planning (ERP) softwares are perpetual inventory systems. It enables tracking and updating inventory and finance data of each movement of stock.

Industry has to constantly innovate to improve efficiency and productivity to stay competitive. And it is no different with trucking companies that have to battle with operational challenges on a daily basis. Industry has to constantly innovate to improve efficiency and productivity to stay competitive. And it is no different with trucking companies that have to battle with operational challenges on a daily basis. Hence, implementing a truck management system has become indispensable for the industry both for internal and external efficiencies. Truck Fleet Management System is a software program that provides a comprehensive view of the fleet of vehicles the company. It helps in centralized control of the fleet management including vehicle acquisition and maintenance. It uses Global Positioning System (GPS) and Big Data Analytics to compile, monitor, store and process information.

Here are the reasons why fleet management software is essential for truck industry: Vehicle Tracking

Fleet Management software uses the GPS tracking device installed in the vehicles to collect real-time location of the fleet and drivers. It enables the company to know the routes the drivers are taking, delays in delivery and excessive fuel consumption. It helps fleet managers control the entire operations from a single dashboard. Inappropriate Driver Behavior

Fleet Management Software helps fleet managers to detect inappropriate driver behaviors. It may include harsh driving, unnecessary braking, over speeding, idling. This can be used for training drivers to improve their performance.

Route Optimization

Fleet Management software enables companies to avoid longer routes to save time and reduce fuel consumption. The route planning and monitoring module helps the fleet managers to plan shorter routes and reduce loss on operations. Integration with Other Systems

Fleet Management Software doesn't work on a standalone basis but interacts with the Enterprise Resource Management (ERP), warehouse management system, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and creates an exhaustive digital ecosystem. Better Insurance Protection

Insurance companies offer discounts for installation of safety features inside the vehicles as it ensures that drivers adhere to road safety guidelines. In future it may become mandatory to have fleet management systems to get insurance protection. Predictive Analysis

Best Truck Fleet Management Systems have built-in predictive analysis that helps fleet managers in various ways. It can factor in bad weather, heavy traffic and other obstacles on the delivery route. The software also provides effective reporting tools such as intuitive dashboards, shipping patterson and colorful charts.

Internet of Things

When a Truck Fleet Management Software uses the Internet of Things (IoT) as a framework, it leads to better tracking of trucks and its management. Different types of sensors can be embedded in goods and vehicles to keep track of variables that may affect the timely delivery.

Vehicle Management System (VMS) is an automated fleet management system for companies having large number of heavy vehicles. Industrial trucks present challenges to managers in terms of operations, productivity and safety and optimization of costs. Truck Management System enables managers to manage large fleet of industrial trucks and accomplish tasks with the available labor force in an efficient manner. Automated Truck Management System helps organisations minimise risks, easily manage fleet, get real time data for processing and analysis. Here are five reasons why Truck Management System is required for industrial trucks. Better Fleet Management: Truck management system helps managers to effectively manage industrial trucks in such a way that idling time is reduced. Real time tracking and visibility of trucks help managers to optimize the use of existing fleet. Access control facility in the Truck Management System ensures that drivers who are authorized to handle the vehicles only use it. In the event of an unauthorized person entering the vehicle, managers can locate and easily return the vehicle to the correct location. Real time tracking helps save time on locating vehicles. The entire fleet data can be managed in a single platform. Productivity Improvements: Use of VMS can enable managers to reduce employee costs as payment needs to be done just for the logged in time. Without a VMS, the managers may not have a clue about movement of industrial trucks and often the operators may be paid in excess. Empty loads can be detected and productivity of truck operators enhanced and payment based on productivity. Budget Optimization: Without real time data for analysis, it is difficult to keep costs under control. Truck Management System enables managers to know about the average and maximum number of trucks available at any given point of time compared to actual number of trucks in facility. Reallocating vehicles can reduce costs and also reduce new vehicle purchases. Employee Safety

Handling materials and industrial trucks have their own risks and use of Truck Management System helps ensure safety of operators of forklifts and drivers. The truck fleet management system help enforce safety controls and authorize driver's access to vehicles. The managers get to know the location of vehicles and whether it is moving or idle. Reminders can be set for drivers and even camera software is provided for truck management system to track on road behavior of drivers. Remain Competitive Truck management system enables companies to lower costs related to manufacturing and distribution as each dollar saved in operations improves sales to the extent of $5 to $10. Truck management systems reduce the number of people required to actively monitor truck movements and this leads to time, resource savings. Risky behaviour can be tracked and safety measures can be implemented.

Conclusion

Identifying the right truck management systems is vital for to manage industrial trucks efficiently. There are many options available to industry. The features and cost may be similar but there may be slight differences which make one better suited than the other. The benefits of higher priced systems may be in terms of capabilities and potential to handle large volume of complex data but lower priced systems may be useful where fleet size of industrial trucks is less. Global Positioning System (GPS) is used to track the movement of vehicles and assets. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems can be used in conjunction with truck management systems to detect vehicles in low signal areas and ensure constant monitoring. Truck Fleet Management system enables using optimal routes and perform predictive analysis to understand events of the future. Choice of appropriate truck management system will help.