What is track and trace?

Why is track and trace important?

Track and trace enables businesses to follow the path of products or shipments throughout the entire supply chain. This function provides visibility into the status of goods and helps businesses ensure timely deliveries, minimize delays, and enhance customer service. Track and trace is vital for identifying bottlenecks in the supply chain, improving operational efficiency, and providing transparency to customers. By using track and trace systems, businesses can proactively address issues, improve communication with customers, and optimize their logistics operations. Accurate tracking also helps businesses forecast delivery times more reliably and manage customer expectations accordingly.

How to do track and trace

To implement effective track and trace, businesses should work with their logistics providers to integrate tracking data into their operations. This may involve using carrier-provided tracking tools, implementing transportation management systems, or leveraging IoT technologies for real-time visibility. Regular monitoring of tracking data and proactive communication with customers can help ensure that any issues are addressed promptly.

Track and trace and Parabola

Failure to conduct track and trace comes with costly risks like product recalls, non-compliance penalties, and late or missing shipments. But an effective track and trace process requires constant manual oversight to catch and resolve discrepancies and often requires an increase in headcount.

With Parabola’s track and trace software, you can automate tedious work like pulling carrier and TMS data, and isolating shipments that are behind schedule. You can even identify shipments in exception scenarios and automate carrier outreach without typing a single email.