Track and trace based on the digital enterprise architecture concept

Knowing where customer deliveries are in transit gives organizations not only insight into their transportation logistics, but also enables them to interfere in case of delays or supply chain disruptions. Obtaining and providing real-time shipping data is a competitive advantage nowadays. These exact lead times enable both the sender as well as the receiver to tact their operations more precisely. Customers are eager to know when they will receive their orders. Foremost, the obtained data indicate complications along the supply chain and allow for timely counter measures. Yet, targeting such a competitive advantage requires dedication and a thorough concept combining the organization’s requirements and its logistics architecture capabilities. Only with a successful integration of track & trace software into the existing software landscape, the organization can ensure robust supply chains. Here, the digital enterprise architecture (DEA) serves as a starting point. The reason for implementing this complex piece of logistic software is to create a stable flow of goods. Hence the robustness of supply chains must be evaluated in a first step. Next, basic knowledge about the different track & trace applications is mandatory to decide on the technology to be used. This all leads to the overarching digital enterprise architecture. It comprises the threefold aspects of business, enterprise (IT) and network architecture the organization at hand is operating in. The resulting conclusions are valuable for the track & trace software choice.