Tracking and tracing of logistics networks: Perspective of real-time business environment

Today's business environments are full of complexities in terms of managing the value adding supply chain and logistics networks. In recent years, the development of locating and identifying technologies contribute to fulfill the growing demands of tracking and tracing the logistics and/or transportation chain. The importance of tracking and tracing of shipments is considered quite high for manufacturing firms in respect to managing logistics networks efficiently and satisfying high customers demand. This paper presents a theoretical overview of sophisticated technology-based methodology or approach required for solving the complex tracking and tracing system in the logistics and supply chain network. A real-life case example is presented in this paper with the view to demonstrate the tracking technology in terms of identifying the location and related conditions of the case shipment. The overall outcomes from this research are concluded with future research direction too. Significance: This work basically reviews the existing tracking and tracing technologies available over the areas of logistics and supply chain management. It also demonstrates the methodology for implementing such technologies in reallife business cases and provides insight of tracking and tracing technology with respect to identifying location, position and conditions of the shipped items.