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How Shipment Tracking Systems Work

January 16, 2020

Millions of tons worth of cargo are being transported on a regular basis. With the massive amount of cargo and parcels moving around across different locations, it is important to establish a system that has the ability to track the progress of each delivery. Keeping clients and customers informed while ensuring that parcels are arriving at their intended destinations is of utmost importance.

One of the latest technologies that have been introduced to the logistics industry is shipment tracking systems. This allows freight forwarding services to track all of their cargo and monitor the progress and status of every piece of cargo in real-time. As the industry continues to expand operations, the implementation of these systems has become crucial to keep everything on track and keep operations running effectively.

 

How do shipment tracking systems work?

Shipment tracking systems are effective when it comes to keeping logistics services updated on the progress of their deliveries. This is why it is important to know how this system works. Here is a simple guide on how shipment tracking systems work:

 

Bar Code Generation

Rectangular cardboard box with barcode in female hands. Top view, white background

The first step in the shipment tracking process is bar code generation. This bar code is the unique ID signature of each package and contains important details like the content of the package, destination, name of the seller and buyer, address, and other crucial information needed by the couriers. It is important to have a bar code that allows you to track packages, as there have been many instances of packages getting lost or misplaced. Once the bar code has been generated, it will be attached to the package.

 

Scan and Track

Small business owner delivery service and working packing box, b

Once the package has received its own bar code, the next step is to have it scanned in order to be tracked by the logistics service. Scanning allows all of the data to be received by the courier service, ensuring that it will be on their database for the recipient to track and monitor. Once the items have been scanned they can now be shipped to their destination.

 

Tracking Progress

Barcode Machine with box

Shipment tracking systems enable logistics companies and their customers to track their packages in real-time. This means that they are able to see where the package is heading, and where it currently is at the moment, ensuring that everything is proceeding smoothly. Most logistics companies have their own dedicated tracking pages for their customers where all they need is to enter the tracking code to check the status of each delivery.

Most packages tend to be scanned once they reach a distribution center or checkpoint so they can still be tracked by logistics services and customers altogether. This can also be an effective tool to inform customers and companies if there is any incident that might cause any delay, allowing companies to put up solutions quickly. The best part about this system is that you would be able to access it across different devices, which means that you can be updated anywhere you go with no issues.

 

Product Delivery

man carrying package

The last step of the shipment tracking system happens when the product reaches its destination and is delivered to the customer itself. The tracking system will once again be updated to inform the logistics service, indicating that the delivery has been successfully accomplished.

 

Key Takeaway

Tracking deliveries have become more important than ever. In a world where millions of items are being shipped on a daily basis, it is essential that you have a system in place that makes sure you are kept up to date on the status of your deliveries. By using shipment tracking systems, you would be able to monitor your deliveries at any place and time in the most convenient way possible.