{"id":1653,"date":"2022-08-03T14:16:56","date_gmt":"2022-08-03T13:16:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/?p=1653"},"modified":"2024-09-12T12:06:57","modified_gmt":"2024-09-12T11:06:57","slug":"traceability-solutions-supply-chains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/traceability-solutions-supply-chains\/","title":{"rendered":"Traceability solutions for supply chains, with examples"},"content":{"rendered":"  <h2\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Traceability is changing your industry. We wrote this up-to-date guide to help you stay ahead.\n  <\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>In response to an increasingly challenging business climate, many of the world&#8217;s leading brands have invested in traceability solutions \u2013 tools that enable companies to track and trace their products through their supply chain all the way to the end customer.<\/p>\n<p>Traceability technology is advancing quickly and has changed a lot in just the last few years; QR codes are scanned hundreds of millions of times a day by billions of people, and RFID chips are appearing on more and more products, with both kinds of &#8220;tags&#8221; establishing important roles in traceability solutions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Whether you&#8217;re struggling with specific traceability issues or just exploring this trend in supply chain management, we&#8217;re confident that this detailed guide based on recent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scantrust.com\/case-studies\/#all|product-traceability\">traceability case studies<\/a> will provide actionable insight for your organization.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h2\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Article outline\n  <\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><ul>\n<li><a href=\"#overview\">Traceability solutions: an overview<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#benefits\">Benefits of traceability<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#data\">Types of traceability data &#8211; upstream, downstream, passive, and active<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#technologies\">Key technologies for implementing supply chain traceability<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#ten-steps\">Ten steps to implementing a traceability solution<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h2\n    id=\"overview\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    What is traceability?\n  <\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Traceability refers to the capability to track and trace products in your supply chain from production or manufacturing to the end customer. Product traceability requires the generation and organization of supply chain data, and is used to increase supply chain visibility.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<figure\n  class=\"post-image\"\n  style=\"text-align: left;\" id=\"\">\n  <picture>\n          <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\n        class=\"post-image__img\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image22-800x253-1.png\"\n        alt=\"image22-800x253\"\n        width=\"800\"\n        height=\"253\"\n      >\n      <\/picture>\n      <figcaption class=\"post-image__caption\">Products can be traced as they move through the supply chain using QR code or RFID tags (like NFC) that have been applied to product packaging or the products themselves. QR codes or NFC are scanned in the warehouse, by distributors, and ultimately by the end-customer.<\/figcaption>\n  <\/figure>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>The technologies for product traceability developed rapidly over the past decade along with the emergence of regulatory requirements for unit-level tracking of tobacco products (<a href=\"https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/legal-content\/EN\/TXT\/PDF\/?uri=CELEX:32018R0574&amp;from=ES\">EU, 2014)<\/a>, pharmaceuticals (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/drugs\/drug-supply-chain-security-act-dscsa\/drug-supply-chain-security-act-law-and-policies\">US, 2013<\/a>), and medical devices (<a href=\"https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/health\/system\/files\/2020-09\/md_faq_udi_en_0.pdf\">EU, 2017<\/a>). Today, many industries have begun embracing traceability technologies for benefits beyond regulatory compliance. Modern traceability technology is benefitting businesses in the following ways:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><ul>\n<li>Establishing distributor and channel routes visibility and mapping product route-to-market<\/li>\n<li>Detecting and identifying the sources of product diversion and parallel imports<\/li>\n<li>Creating tools for demand forecasting and inventory planning<\/li>\n<li>Tracking recalled items, returned products, and damaged and defective products<\/li>\n<li>Powering sustainability programs including recycling, carbon footprint tracking, and circular economy<\/li>\n<li>Building trust with customers through communication of product provenance and sustainability<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Highlighting the importance of traceability for sustainability, the European Union\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/commission\/presscorner\/detail\/en\/ip_22_2013\">Green New Deal<\/a> has defined <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gs1.eu\/news\/eu-digital-product-passport-revealed-time-to-act\">Digital Product Passports<\/a>, including standards for tracing a product&#8217;s upstream inputs, as a cornerstone initiative to drive companies to be more sustainable, covering a broad range of industries and products.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h4\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Overview of technologies needed for traceability\n  <\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Traceability requires some combination of several of the following technologies and technical processes:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><ol>\n<li>A system for generation of unique codes or tags for products, from thousands to hundreds of millions. This is often referred to as &#8220;product serialization&#8221;.<\/li>\n<li>Hardware and process for printing and applying unique identifiers as barcodes, QR codes, data matrix, or electronic chips (RFID, NFC) on product packaging, cases, and\/ or pallets.<\/li>\n<li>Devices for scanning codes on products along the supply chain such as cameras, chip scanners, handheld devices, and smartphone-based mobile apps.<\/li>\n<li>Logistical unit tracking for containers, trucks, etc. &#8211; often with GPS and environmental sensors.<\/li>\n<li>Integrations between your Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Manufacturing Execution System (MES) systems, printing, and warehouse systems, and your traceability platform to capture all relevant supply chain events at source.<\/li>\n<li>A traceability software system or platform that provides a single source of truth across your supply chain data sources.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-spacer\" ><\/div>\n\n  <h4\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Traceability technology example: QR codes and RFIDs applied to products and boxes are scanned downstream in the value chain\n  <\/h4>\n\n\n<figure\n  class=\"post-image\"\n  style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"\">\n  <picture>\n          <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\n        class=\"post-image__img\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/downstream-traceability-technology-800x298-1.png\"\n        alt=\"downstream-traceability-technology-800x298\"\n        width=\"800\"\n        height=\"298\"\n      >\n      <\/picture>\n      <figcaption class=\"post-image__caption\">Data matrix codes and RFIDs are examples of other unique identifiers used for product traceability<\/figcaption>\n  <\/figure>\n\n<div class=\"post-spacer\" ><\/div>\n\n  <h3\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Key concepts and terms in traceability\n  <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Feel free to skip this section if you&#8217;re already an expert : )<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h4\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    What is upstream vs. downstream traceability?\n  <\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Supply chain traceability can be broken down into \u201cupstream\u201d and \u201cdownstream\u201d traceability. <strong>Upstream<\/strong> refers to the source and journey of your product inputs, ingredients, or raw materials, while <strong>downstream<\/strong> refers to tracing your product after production through the supply chain to the customer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<figure\n  class=\"post-image\"\n  style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"\">\n  <picture>\n          <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\n        class=\"post-image__img\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/upstream-and-downstream-traceability-800x375-1.png\"\n        alt=\"upstream-and-downstream-traceability-800x375\"\n        width=\"800\"\n        height=\"375\"\n      >\n      <\/picture>\n  <\/figure>\n\n  <h4\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    What&#8217;s the difference between \u201ctrack and trace\u201d and \u201ctraceability\u201d?\n  <\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Both \u201ctraceability\u201d and \u201ctrack and trace\u201d are often used interchangeably when referring to product or supply chain traceability. Traceability is becoming more popular today and can refer to both upstream and downstream use cases.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h4\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    What is product traceability vs. logistics traceability?\n  <\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Product traceability focuses on attaching a unique identifier or code to each individual product and maintaining a record of each product\u2019s journey through the supply chain. This usually requires scanning equipment and people to scan the product and it&#8217;s box, pallet, etc. at multiple points in the supply chain.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Logistics traceability usually refers to tracking containers or other logistics assets using GPS sensors along their journey on trucks, ships, and planes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>To achieve product traceability across multiple downstream distribution points and to the end-customer, it\u2019s usually more practical to independently gather product location data from QR code or RFID scans than to try to integrate with various logistics data systems.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h2\n    id=\"benefits\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Benefits of supply chain traceability\n  <\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Traceability provides significant value to businesses with complex supply chains and distribution networks by detecting parallel imports, improving distributor inventory management, simplifying product recalls, helping with regulatory compliance, helping achieve sustainability goals, and communicating product origin to end-customers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>We explore each of these benefits of traceability in more detail below.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h3\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Benefit #1: Detect parallel imports and product diversion; monitor distribution partners\n  <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Brands use supply chain data to understand how products are reaching the market, how their distribution network is performing, and whether or not distributors are violating their contracts and selling to unauthorized markets.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<figure\n  class=\"post-image\"\n  style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"\">\n  <picture>\n          <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\n        class=\"post-image__img\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/consumer-scanning-qr-on-liquor-800x800-1.png\"\n        alt=\"consumer-scanning-qr-on-liquor-800x800\"\n        width=\"300\"\n        height=\"800\"\n      >\n      <\/picture>\n      <figcaption class=\"post-image__caption\">R\u00e9my Cointreau uses QR codes, NFC tags and RFID to track product route-to-market for premium spirits<\/figcaption>\n  <\/figure>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"\/case-study\/qr-code-track-and-trace-with-anti-counterfeit-packaging-for-remy-cointreau\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Case Study: R\u00e9my Cointreau &amp; product traceability<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>One key challenge for supply chain traceability programs is how to capture data in the \u201cmiddle\u201d of the supply chain when products are in the custody of the distributors or channel partners.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>In some industries, such as food and beverage and industrial goods, the brands have limited leverage over the distributor and thus limited or no ability to gather supply chain data from them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Reasons why it\u2019s difficult to get supply chain data from distributors include:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><ul id=\"block-8d3b6ea6-2a36-4b8c-8253-c760f3ad02aa\" class=\"block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block is-selected wp-block-list rich-text\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"document\" contenteditable=\"true\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Block: List\" data-block=\"8d3b6ea6-2a36-4b8c-8253-c760f3ad02aa\" data-type=\"core\/list\" data-title=\"List\">\n<li><strong data-rich-text-format-boundary=\"true\">Distributors closely guard how they distribute<\/strong> to prevent being disintermediated by the brand.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Distributors have a fixed workflow<\/strong> across all brands they distribute for, and are unwilling to use special systems or devices to manually scan crates, pallets, or boxes for just one brand.<\/li>\n<li><strong>It\u2019s not feasible to perform data integrations<\/strong> with each distributors\u2019 ERP or Warehouse Management systems due to technology limitations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Modern traceability systems address the above challenges for obtaining supply chain data from distributors in two ways:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><ol>\n<li><strong>Have a target market for each product.<\/strong> The traceability system maintains a destination or target market for each product via its unique code. Scan data from endpoints in the supply chain &#8211; consumers, customers, professional users, or inspectors, reveal if products were distributed in an unauthorized way.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Make it easy for distributors to scan products without an IT integration or dedicated hardware.<\/strong> Smartphone-based mobile apps for scanning QR codes, RFID, and NFC on boxes, crates, and pallets can make it significantly easier for distributors to fill in blind spots in your supply chain, avoiding the need for costly integrations across many stakeholders.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>End-user data from connected packaging campaigns is a key benefit for brands. By incentivizing users to \u201cscan\u201d or engage with the packaging, more data can be gathered while offering end-users useful information.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h3\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Benefit #2: Demand forecasting (supply and demand management), distributor inventory management, sales and operations planning (S&#038;OP)\n  <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Traceability can enable better demand forecasting and distributor inventory management, with two categories of benefits:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><ol>\n<li>Visibility into distribution center operations (both in-house and external distributors) can be used for forecasting demand, improving downstream inventory management, and sales and operations planning (S&amp;OP). This is especially important for products which have seasonality or promotions. Better demand management results in less shortages or overstock and better cash flow management.<\/li>\n<li>Knowing the type and amount of inventory sitting in distribution centers can make the brand aware of old products which need to be expedited to market and replaced by newer ones.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h3\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Benefit #3: Trace recalls, returns, damaged goods and defects, and products with warranty claims\n  <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Traceability solutions can help identify products that have been recalled and trace them through their distribution path and further upstream to their manufacturing and production.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Traditionally, tracing recalled or damaged goods have been done manually using text codes with batch, lot, and serial numbers printed on products. This approach lacks unit-level supply chain traceability data and a channel for customer engagement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>In modern traceability solutions, unit-level tags on each product provide distribution and shipping information for each item, including the production data (batch, lot) and logistics or shipping data (box, crate, pallet) across points in the supply chain. Companies use this data to identify issues in their distribution that are impacting product quality and in turn their profit margins.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h3\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Benefit #4: Regulatory and trade restrictions compliance\n  <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Many industries are regulated such that products and their ingredients, raw materials, or other inputs must be traceable to the unit level. This can only be accomplished at a reasonable cost using serialization &#8211; the printing, labeling, or even laser marking of unique codes on products and packaging.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Examples of regulatory requirements related to product serialization include:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><ul>\n<li>The pharmaceutical industry is required to use serialized codes on products for the purpose of traceability at the batch and lot level.<\/li>\n<li>Medical devices require use of government-registered unique device identifiers (UDIs).<\/li>\n<li>In many markets tobacco products must have unique identifiers.<\/li>\n<li>Foods in the U.S. which contain GMO ingredients must be labeled as such\u2014one officially accepted method is using QR codes.<\/li>\n<li>Alcoholic or other products which are not legally permitted to be exported to a specific market are tracked by brands to prevent their entrance into those markets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<figure\n  class=\"post-image\"\n  style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"\">\n  <picture>\n          <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\n        class=\"post-image__img\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/scan-qr-code-gmo-disclosure-label-800x800-1.png\"\n        alt=\"scan-qr-code-gmo-disclosure-label-800x800\"\n        width=\"300\"\n        height=\"800\"\n      >\n      <\/picture>\n      <figcaption class=\"post-image__caption\">Ferrara Candy uses QR codes and ingredient traceability to comply with GMO disclosure laws in the U.S.<\/figcaption>\n  <\/figure>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"\/case-study\/gmo-label-qr-code-ferrara-candy-case-study\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Case Study: Ferrara Candy &amp; ingredient traceability with QR codes<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>A new initiative in the EU called <a href=\"https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/commission\/presscorner\/detail\/en\/ip_22_2013\">Digital Product Passports<\/a> would require industries including batteries, textiles, construction materials, electronic waste, plastics, chemicals, and automotive parts to have unique identifiers which can be used to score the environmental impact of their production. The first industries are planned to be regulated before 2024.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h3\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Benefit #5: Circular economy, recycling, and carbon footprint tracking and reduction\n  <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Traceability enables emerging business models and practices where the product or product packaging is reused, repaired, refurbished or recycled. This is increasingly common in electronics and industrial goods, where a wide variety of products \u2014 from computer parts to automotive batteries to barrels of oil \u2014 now have recycled components or parts of their packaging reused or re-filled, saving costs and reducing their environmental or carbon footprint.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Supply chain traceability systems are now being used to facilitate these emerging business models and to prevent counterfeit or unauthorized use of such parts, as well as parts from unauthorized channels entering the upstream supply chain.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>The newly proposed <a href=\"https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/commission\/presscorner\/detail\/en\/ip_22_2013\">EU Digital Product Passports program<\/a> would create standards for such traceability and how to score the carbon footprint of products, and require certain industries to leverage such systems and provide this information to their customers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h3\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Benefit #6: Communicate product origin, quality of products and their ingredient and inputs to end-users\n  <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Upstream supply chain data which includes a product\u2019s raw materials and ingredients can be shared to consumers of that product. This is a common use case for consumer packaged goods (CPG), apparel, food, beverage, and coffee brands.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Food brand Knorr <a href=\"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/case-study\/cpg-brand-loyalty-through-connected-packaging-knorr-case-study\/\">uses upstream supply chain data<\/a> to provide information about the premium ingredients used in their soup products to customers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<figure\n  class=\"post-image\"\n  style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"\">\n  <picture>\n          <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\n        class=\"post-image__img\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image2-800x800-1.png\"\n        alt=\"image2-800x800\"\n        width=\"300\"\n        height=\"800\"\n      >\n      <\/picture>\n      <figcaption class=\"post-image__caption\">Knorr traces the origin of ingredients in soup products to let consumers scan and access that information<\/figcaption>\n  <\/figure>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"\/case-study\/cpg-brand-loyalty-through-connected-packaging-knorr-case-study\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Case Study: Knorr &amp; Brand Loyalty through connected packaging<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h3\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    What companies benefit most from supply chain traceability?\n  <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>In general, companies with the following characteristics see the highest ROI for supply chain traceability solutions:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><ul>\n<li>Companies with customers in multiple markets<\/li>\n<li>When a company&#8217;s production and customers are in different markets<\/li>\n<li>When the business model includes multi-tier suppliers or distributors (a.k.a. a multi-tier supply chain).<\/li>\n<li>Companies with many upstream vendors\/ suppliers or many downstream distributors\/ dealers<\/li>\n<li>When the company sells higher-value items<\/li>\n<li>When the brand is sensitive to ingredient or raw materials quality issues<\/li>\n<li>When the company sells in highly regulated industries<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h2\n    id=\"data\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    What kinds of traceability data can be obtained from supply chains?\n  <\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Traceability data is organized into two categories &#8211; <strong>upstream traceability<\/strong> and <strong>downstream traceability<\/strong>. We&#8217;ll describe the data that can be obtained from each of these, followed by location and GPS data, below.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h3\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Upstream traceability data: &#8220;What is in your product&#8221;\n  <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>As we&#8217;ve defined previously, upstream (production) traceability data refers to raw ingredients, materials, machine parts, or other inputs to a product. Common upstream data include:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><ul>\n<li>Batch or lot<\/li>\n<li>Time of production<\/li>\n<li>Vendor details<\/li>\n<li>Location of production<\/li>\n<li>Expiration<\/li>\n<li>Certifications for specific inputs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Typically, the inputs of a product from suppliers are stored in the producing company\u2019s ERP system(s). These are associated with product batch and lot data. In recent years there has been a push to also start tracing inputs from different suppliers farther upstream or earlier in the supply chain; this is typically to adhere to regulatory standards, monitor certifications for sustainability or human rights and other standards, and to calculate the CO<sup>2<\/sup> footprint along the entire lifecycle of a product.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>No standardized approach for tracing product inputs and ingredients has emerged to date, and different industries have begun trying different approaches. Cloud-based solutions for indirect vendor management, manual data collection, and even blockchains are\u00a0among the patchwork of solutions being used.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Dedicated platforms collecting and providing upstream supply chain data for specific industries and materials include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.circulor.com\/\">Circulor<\/a> for plastics and batteries and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmerconnect.com\/\">Farmer Connect<\/a> for agricultural products.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>All of these emerging upstream traceability solutions seek to directly link products, at the unit level, back to their upstream origin, inputs, and ingredients.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<figure\n  class=\"post-image\"\n  style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"\">\n  <picture>\n          <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\n        class=\"post-image__img\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Screenshot-2022-07-15-at-16.56.28.png\"\n        alt=\"Screenshot-2022-07-15-at-16.56.28\"\n        width=\"300\"\n        height=\"766\"\n      >\n      <\/picture>\n      <figcaption class=\"post-image__caption\">Melitta Coffee traces beans from farm to bag, sharing the farmer\u2019s story with consumers. The solution is powered by SAP Material Traceability and Scantrust<\/figcaption>\n  <\/figure>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><\/div>\n\n  <h3\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Downstream product traceability data: &#8220;Where your product has gone&#8221;\n  <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Unlike upstream data, downstream traceability data comes from the point of production and onward in the supply chain. It&#8217;s generated by the producer or manufacturer of the product, distributors, and the customer through scanning the product packaging or product or part itself. Common downstream traceability data includes:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p><strong>Unit (product) &amp; production data<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><ul>\n<li>Unique unit-level identifier (based on serialization)<\/li>\n<li>Batch or lot<\/li>\n<li>Expiration<\/li>\n<li>Manufacturing location \/ production line<\/li>\n<li>Product SKU \/ Material number<\/li>\n<li>Production date<\/li>\n<li>Extended production information\n<ul>\n<li>Product SKU<\/li>\n<li>Quality assurance certifications<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p><strong>Logistics &amp; shipment data<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><ul>\n<li>Intended market (city, country)<\/li>\n<li>Customer name<\/li>\n<li>Shipping date<\/li>\n<li>Sales Order<\/li>\n<li>Case, pallet<\/li>\n<li>Import date<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p><strong>Channel partner, distributor, dealer, wholesaler, point-of-sale<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><ul>\n<li>Goods receiving date<\/li>\n<li>Time, date, location (city, country)<\/li>\n<li>Inspection data<\/li>\n<li>Delivery location\/ intended location (city, country)<\/li>\n<li>Outlet name (for traditional trade)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p><strong>Customer and consumer engagement data<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><ul>\n<li>City, country, latitude and longitude<\/li>\n<li>Customer information<\/li>\n<li>Marketing campaign participation<\/li>\n<li>Product authenticity scan result<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h3\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Location &#038; GPS tracking data\n  <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Technically passive and active location data is associated with the product or logistical and shipment data mentioned above, but it\u2019s important enough to call out on its own here. There are two categories of location data:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h4\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Passive or hop-based location tracking\n  <\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Printed codes such as QR code or RFID\/ NFC tags, are placed on products or logistic units. When a device \u201cscans\u201d it at predetermined points in the supply chain, the location information is uploaded to a traceability system. Smartphones and tablets with mobile apps are increasingly being used for such scanning. Android-based handheld barcode scanning hardware with mobile apps connected to the brand&#8217;s traceability system are also used.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>The traceability system only shows the last hop that a product or logistic unit was scanned at. This approach balances between usefulness of data and acceptable costs for most product categories. Scan-based solutions include using QR codes printed at low cost and RFIDs which, though still relatively expensive compared to printed codes, have come down significantly in recent years and are appearing more and more in supply chains for this use case.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h4\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    <!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} --> <h4><strong>Real-time GPS or location tracking (a.k.a. active tracking)<\/strong><\/h4> <!-- \/wp:heading -->\n  <\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>The product or logistic unit beams out its location regularly, for example, every hour, through a cellular or satellite data link. This is usually accomplished by placing a small computer or chip on the product or the logistic unit (container, palette, crate). These devices do not require a device or person to \u201cscan\u201d them for the data to be generated, hence the term \u201cactive tracking\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>The units can cost up to and above US$100 and incur monthly global data fees. As such, they are more commonly used with high-value products, on higher-level logistic units, such as cargo containers, or on only a small portion of the supply chain under scrutiny. To make implementation cost effective, businesses can implement a unit-collection process after each trip.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Now that we know the kind of data we can get from product traceability, we will explore the technologies used for traceability in the next section.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h2\n    id=\"technologies\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Key technologies and solutions needed for traceability\n  <\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Product traceability technology can be broken down into two categories:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><ol>\n<li>Unique identifier technology and the technical processes for applying them as codes and tags<\/li>\n<li>Scanning technology, including inline vision systems and handheld scanning devices.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h3\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    What unique identifiers can be used on products for traceability? \n  <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Unique identifiers or codes are the atomic unit of traceability. These codes or chips are printed on or applied directly on products or packaging.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Different technologies have different strengths, capabilities, and costs. The below table shows a summary of the most common identifier technology used for product traceability throughout the supply chain.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Table: Comparison of codes, tags, and chips for product traceability<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-container-6 wp-block-group\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p class=\"has-gray-24-background-color has-background\"><strong>Text codes<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<section\n  class=\"post-columns\"\n  style=\"\" id=\"\">\n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"post-columns__column --third\" style=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\n<figure\n  class=\"post-image\"\n  style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"\">\n  <picture>\n          <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\n        class=\"post-image__img\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/text-code.png\"\n        alt=\"text-code\"\n        width=\"200\"\n        height=\"142\"\n      >\n      <\/picture>\n  <\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"post-columns__column --two-third\" style=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\n<div class=\"post-table-container\" id=\"\">\n  <table class=\"post-table\">\n      <tbody>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Cost<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Low<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Description<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Printed, human-readable alphanumeric information.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Used for\t<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Manually checking product information, compliance.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Pros<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Cheap to apply at scale.\n\u2013 Low barriers for printing.<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Cons<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Only useful for manual look up; provides no data unless scanned. Not scannable by end users.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody>\n    <\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/section>\n\n<hr\n  class=\"post-divider\"\n  style=\"\" id=\"\">\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p class=\"has-gray-24-background-color has-background\"><strong>\u00a01D Barcodes<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<section\n  class=\"post-columns\"\n  style=\"\" id=\"\">\n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"post-columns__column --third\" style=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\n<figure\n  class=\"post-image\"\n  style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"\">\n  <picture>\n          <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\n        class=\"post-image__img\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Example_barcode.svg_-800x568-1.png\"\n        alt=\"Example_barcode.svg_-800x568\"\n        width=\"200\"\n        height=\"568\"\n      >\n      <\/picture>\n  <\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"post-columns__column --two-third\" style=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\n<div class=\"post-table-container\" id=\"\">\n  <table class=\"post-table\">\n      <tbody>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Cost<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Low<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Description<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\t\u2013 Can store dozens of characters.\n\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Many standards and sizes, including ones with global identifiers.\n\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Can use GS1\/ GTIN or interoperable standards.<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Used for\t<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Product, box, crate, pallet, traceability.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Pros<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Many interoperable standards, such as GS1\/ GTIN<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Scannable by a wide range of professional handheld scanning devices.<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Cons<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Small distortions, dirt, or wear can destroy readability.<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Often not recognizable between IT systems.<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Can have a large footprint on packaging.<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Need a specialized device or app to scan.<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Not easily scannable by customers in-market.<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Being sunset, replaced by QR codes.<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody>\n    <\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/section>\n\n<hr\n  class=\"post-divider\"\n  style=\"\" id=\"\">\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><div id=\"block-b149fc79-273d-4e0d-b7d8-97bf82865a4c\" class=\"block-editor-block-list__block wp-block is-selected wp-block-acf-post-text\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"document\" aria-label=\"Block: Post Text\" data-block=\"b149fc79-273d-4e0d-b7d8-97bf82865a4c\" data-type=\"acf\/post-text\" data-title=\"Post Text\">\n<div class=\"acf-block-component acf-block-body\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"acf-block-preview\">\n<div id=\"\" class=\"post-text\">\n<p class=\"has-gray-24-background-color has-background\"><strong>Data Matrix<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<section\n  class=\"post-columns\"\n  style=\"\" id=\"\">\n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"post-columns__column --third\" style=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\n<figure\n  class=\"post-image\"\n  style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"\">\n  <picture>\n          <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\n        class=\"post-image__img\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/data-matrix-800x800-1.png\"\n        alt=\"data-matrix-800x800\"\n        width=\"200\"\n        height=\"800\"\n      >\n      <\/picture>\n  <\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"post-columns__column --two-third\" style=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\n<div class=\"post-table-container\" id=\"\">\n  <table class=\"post-table\">\n      <tbody>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Cost<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Low<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Description<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\t\u2013 Small 2D code which can be scanned from any angle.<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Many standards and sizes.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Can store thousands of characters.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Used for\t<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Part, product, box, crate, pallet, traceability.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Pros<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Useful for placement on small parts or in machines due to small size and high information storage.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Resilient to distortion, dirty, wear and tear.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Can include a link to product URL.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Used in regulated industries with interoperable standards, such as GS1\/ GTIN.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Cons<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Not easily scannable by a smartphone and thus not easy for customers in-market to scan.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody>\n    <\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/section>\n\n<hr\n  class=\"post-divider\"\n  style=\"\" id=\"\">\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><div id=\"block-b149fc79-273d-4e0d-b7d8-97bf82865a4c\" class=\"block-editor-block-list__block wp-block is-selected wp-block-acf-post-text\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"document\" aria-label=\"Block: Post Text\" data-block=\"b149fc79-273d-4e0d-b7d8-97bf82865a4c\" data-type=\"acf\/post-text\" data-title=\"Post Text\">\n<div class=\"acf-block-component acf-block-body\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"acf-block-preview\">\n<div id=\"\" class=\"post-text\">\n<p class=\"has-gray-24-background-color has-background\"><strong>QR codes<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<section\n  class=\"post-columns\"\n  style=\"\" id=\"\">\n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"post-columns__column --third\" style=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\n<figure\n  class=\"post-image\"\n  style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"\">\n  <picture>\n          <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\n        class=\"post-image__img\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/qr-code.png\"\n        alt=\"qr-code\"\n        width=\"157\"\n        height=\"154\"\n      >\n      <\/picture>\n  <\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"post-columns__column --two-third\" style=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\n<div class=\"post-table-container\" id=\"\">\n  <table class=\"post-table\">\n      <tbody>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Cost<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Low<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Description<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Small 2D code which can be scanned from any angle.<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Can store thousands of characters.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Used for\t<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 End-to-end traceability on parts, products, boxes, crates, pallets.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Provides traceability down to the customer.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Pros<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\t\u2013 Already used in day-to-day life by billions of people.<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Useful for placement on small parts or in machines due to small size and high information storage.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Resilient to distortion, dirty, wear and tear.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Can include a link to product URL.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Used in regulated industries with interoperable standards, such as GS1\/ GTIN.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Cons<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Larger than Data Matrix codes, can have longer print times.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody>\n    <\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/section>\n\n<hr\n  class=\"post-divider\"\n  style=\"\" id=\"\">\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><div id=\"block-b149fc79-273d-4e0d-b7d8-97bf82865a4c\" class=\"block-editor-block-list__block wp-block is-selected wp-block-acf-post-text\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"document\" aria-label=\"Block: Post Text\" data-block=\"b149fc79-273d-4e0d-b7d8-97bf82865a4c\" data-type=\"acf\/post-text\" data-title=\"Post Text\">\n<div class=\"acf-block-component acf-block-body\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"acf-block-preview\">\n<div id=\"\" class=\"post-text\">\n<p class=\"has-gray-24-background-color has-background\"><strong>RFID\/NFC<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<section\n  class=\"post-columns\"\n  style=\"\" id=\"\">\n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"post-columns__column --third\" style=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\n<figure\n  class=\"post-image\"\n  style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"\">\n  <picture>\n          <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\n        class=\"post-image__img\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rfid.png\"\n        alt=\"rfid\"\n        width=\"200\"\n        height=\"500\"\n      >\n      <\/picture>\n  <\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"post-columns__column --two-third\" style=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\n<div class=\"post-table-container\" id=\"\">\n  <table class=\"post-table\">\n      <tbody>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Cost<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Medium<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Description<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Small chip which requires no battery.<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Uses radio waves to turn itself on and send data back to a receiver when scanned.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Used for\t<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Part, crate, product traceability.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Shipping traceability.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Higher-value products, including luxury fashion.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Pros<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Can reduce costs and time needed to calibrate optical scanning equipment for 2D barcodes because it just needs to be within proximity, does not require line-of-site.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Cons<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Not often or easily scanned by consumers, customers yet, so not suitable for getting final route-to-market data. Often requires a dedicated mobile app.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Significantly more expensive per-unit than printed (marked) codes.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody>\n    <\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/section>\n\n<hr\n  class=\"post-divider\"\n  style=\"\" id=\"\">\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><div id=\"block-b149fc79-273d-4e0d-b7d8-97bf82865a4c\" class=\"block-editor-block-list__block wp-block is-selected wp-block-acf-post-text\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"document\" aria-label=\"Block: Post Text\" data-block=\"b149fc79-273d-4e0d-b7d8-97bf82865a4c\" data-type=\"acf\/post-text\" data-title=\"Post Text\">\n<div class=\"acf-block-component acf-block-body\">\n<div class=\"acf-block-preview\">\n<div id=\"\" class=\"post-text\">\n<p><strong>Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon\/chip<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<section\n  class=\"post-columns\"\n  style=\"\" id=\"\">\n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"post-columns__column --third\" style=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\n<figure\n  class=\"post-image\"\n  style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"\">\n  <picture>\n          <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\n        class=\"post-image__img\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image5.png\"\n        alt=\"image5\"\n        width=\"144\"\n        height=\"400\"\n      >\n      <\/picture>\n  <\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"post-columns__column --two-third\" style=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\n<div class=\"post-table-container\" id=\"\">\n  <table class=\"post-table\">\n      <tbody>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Cost<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">High<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Description<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Tag or chip which is actively sending out data.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Used for\t<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Tracking logistic units, high-value assets and products<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Used for inventory management within the warehouse.<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Pros<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Proactively sends data when in-range of network; does not need to be scanned.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Cons<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\t\u2013 High capex cost for scanning gateways and cost-per-unit<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Units must pass through controlled, predictable zone(s) in supply chain to scan.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Need collection process in place to reclaim at end-of-journey.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody>\n    <\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/section>\n\n<hr\n  class=\"post-divider\"\n  style=\"\" id=\"\">\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p><!-- wp:paragraph {\"backgroundColor\":\"gray-24\"} --><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-gray-24-background-color has-background\"><strong>Ultra-Wideband (UWB) beacon<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<section\n  class=\"post-columns\"\n  style=\"\" id=\"\">\n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"post-columns__column --third\" style=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\n<figure\n  class=\"post-image\"\n  style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"\">\n  <picture>\n          <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\n        class=\"post-image__img\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image26-1.png\"\n        alt=\"image26-1\"\n        width=\"133\"\n        height=\"350\"\n      >\n      <\/picture>\n  <\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"post-columns__column --two-third\" style=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\n<div class=\"post-table-container\" id=\"\">\n  <table class=\"post-table\">\n      <tbody>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Cost<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">High<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Description<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Tag or chip which is actively sending out data and which can be picked up in a larger radius than a BLE chip.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Used for\t<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Tracking logistic units, high-value assets and products<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Used for inventory management within the warehouse.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Pros<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Proactively sends data when in-range of network; does not need to be scanned.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Cons<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\t\u2013 High capex cost for scanning gateways and cost-per-unit<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Large, not feasible to put on many products directly.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Units must pass through controlled, predictable zone(s) in supply chain to scan.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Difficult for end-user to scan.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Need collection process in place to reclaim at end-of-journey.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody>\n    <\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/section>\n\n<hr\n  class=\"post-divider\"\n  style=\"\" id=\"\">\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p><strong>GPS tracker<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<section\n  class=\"post-columns\"\n  style=\"\" id=\"\">\n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"post-columns__column --third\" style=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\n<figure\n  class=\"post-image\"\n  style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"\">\n  <picture>\n          <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\n        class=\"post-image__img\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image10.png\"\n        alt=\"image10\"\n        width=\"151\"\n        height=\"280\"\n      >\n      <\/picture>\n  <\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"post-columns__column --two-third\" style=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\n<div class=\"post-table-container\" id=\"\">\n  <table class=\"post-table\">\n      <tbody>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Cost<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">High<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Description<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">A small computer which sends real-time GPS data through a cellular or satellite network.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Used for\t<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Used on extremely valuable assets and logistical units in supply chain<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Pros<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\tProactively sends data all the time via satellite or cellular network<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">Cons<\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 High cost-per-unit and monthly data costs.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Large, not convenient or feasible to put on many products directly.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n      <tr class=\"post-table__row\">\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\"><\/td>\n              <td class=\"post-table__cell\">\u2013 Must have a collection process in place to reclaim at end-of-journey.\n<\/td>\n          <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody>\n    <\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/section>\n\n  <h3\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    How do you choose a unique identifier for products? For example QR codes vs. RFID, etc.\n  <\/h3>\n\n\n<figure\n  class=\"post-image\"\n  style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"\">\n  <picture>\n          <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\n        class=\"post-image__img\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image1-800x261-1.png\"\n        alt=\"image1-800x261\"\n        width=\"800\"\n        height=\"261\"\n      >\n      <\/picture>\n      <figcaption class=\"post-image__caption\">Boxes of products traceable with QR codes being aggregated by a Laetus IMV-370<\/figcaption>\n  <\/figure>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>When planning a traceability project and choosing between unique identifiers such as QR codes, data matrix, or RFID, you must consider the following questions:<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s your use case?<\/strong> For traceability down to the end customer, QR codes, NFCs and RFID have become increasingly popular due to their low cost and ability to be easily scanned by anyone in the supply chain <em>and<\/em> the customer, providing traceability data all the way to the market. Data matrix codes, though very popular for internal traceability or traceability for compliance, are not easily scanned by customers and thus can&#8217;t provide complete route-to-market and end customer information.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><strong>What are the pros and cons of QR codes vs. RFID and NFC for product packaging? <\/strong>QR codes are generally the lowest cost option and can often be printed within your existing printing and packaging process. NFC and RFID are costlier &#8211; they are chips with a hardware cost and almost always need to be applied to the package with a special process. RFID and NFC are increasingly being used on higher-value items and on boxes, crates, and pallets for certain product categories and supply chain setups where using inline vision or hand scanners to scan QR codes are impractical.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h3\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    What are some considerations for how to apply a unique identifier to a product?\n  <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s your product or packaging? <\/strong>The shape, materials, substrates, curvature all have implications for how to apply the identifier and how it can be used. Data matrix and QR codes are more resilient to deformity, wear, and tear. QR codes can be scanned on curved surfaces, but this needs to be considered early in the project.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><strong>Where would the identifier go on packaging? <\/strong>For traceability to the end customer, choosing a prominent place for the customer to scan is important. While front labels and on caps are most common, some codes and tags can be placed under the cap, lid, or tag, if they are intended only to be scanned after the product is opened or consumed. Some codes, such as barcodes, are simply too big for certain applications.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><strong>Are you printing codes directly on packaging, or applying codes on top of the label?<\/strong> Both options are viable, but there are different implications for costs, process changes, and acceptability for the brand and by the customer.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Simplified example of printing unique QR codes directly on product packaging<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<figure\n  class=\"post-image\"\n  style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"\">\n  <picture>\n          <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\n        class=\"post-image__img\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/product-traceability-technology-800x368-1.png\"\n        alt=\"product-traceability-technology-800x368\"\n        width=\"800\"\n        height=\"368\"\n      >\n      <\/picture>\n      <figcaption class=\"post-image__caption\">N.B.: QR codes are shown here because they are one of the few identifier technologies which end-customers frequently and easily scan. We highly recommended QR codes for end-to-end product traceability projects.<\/figcaption>\n  <\/figure>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><strong>Are you using a label or packaging supplier, or is it done in-house?<\/strong> Getting the printing and packaging stakeholders involved early is essential. They may have traceability solutions they can recommend, but don&#8217;t limit yourself to these as the they may not be familiar with solutions that are a better fit for your use case.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><strong>Are you printing or lasering QR codes? <\/strong>QR codes can be printed by analog or digital methods, but are also increasingly being laser-printed on metal products, cans, and machine parts, opening up a new category of products and parts to traceability where adding paper labels is impractical or costly.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<figure\n  class=\"post-image\"\n  style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"\">\n  <picture>\n          <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\n        class=\"post-image__img\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image27-1.png\"\n        alt=\"image27-1\"\n        width=\"305\"\n        height=\"652\"\n      >\n      <\/picture>\n      <figcaption class=\"post-image__caption\">QR code being lasered onto metal. Lasering of unique codes on products and parts becoming increasingly popular for product traceability.<\/figcaption>\n  <\/figure>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p><strong>Are you using secure features or not? <\/strong>Many traceability projects have an anti-counterfeiting component, such as using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scantrust.com\/qr-code-anti-counterfeiting-solutions\/\">Secure QR codes<\/a>. Such unique identifier solutions may have security features which need to be considered when planning the printing aspect of your traceability project.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h3\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    What are the international standards for unique identifiers?\n  <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>For industries where product serialization and traceability are regulatory requirements, such as tobacco, pharmaceuticals, and medical products, there are organizations such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gs1.org\/\">GS1<\/a> which create and maintain standards for interoperable codes, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gs1.org\/standards\/id-keys\/gtin\">GTIN<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gs1.org\/sites\/default\/files\/digital_link_factsheet_2019.pdf\">GS1 Digital Link<\/a>. This allows for things like supply chain chain-of-custody data to be maintained for a single product across the supply chain.\u00a0Such standards cover 1D barcodes, QR codes, data matrix, and more.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>However, many non-regulatory use-cases for product traceability do not require these standards. In some cases, applying these standards where they are not a regulatory requirement can increase the costs of your traceability program, and it can be challenging to require downstream partners to apply these standards when scanning and updating product traceability data.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h3\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    What is serialization for unique codes on products?\n  <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>For unit-level traceability, the identifier \u2014 be it an RFID, NFC, QR code, datamatrix, or barcode \u2014 must store a serialized (unique) number or code which maps to one and only one product or part.<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cSerialization\u201d<\/strong> is the industry term for the technology used to accomplish the high-volume, zero-conflict generation of random unique identification numbers for use on products and parts. Due to the complexity involved in generating these at scale in a secure way, these codes are usually generated by an ERP system or dedicated traceability system.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Learn more about <a href=\"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/serialized-qr-codes\/\">serialized QR codes<\/a> here.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h3\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    What is a traceability system? \n  <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Traceability systems, also known as traceability software, have emerged in the past ten years to address common challenges faced by organizations implementing traceability in their supply chains.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><strong>A traceability system is dedicated software that acts as a single source-of-truth for products in a supply chain. It performs three key functions: generate codes for use on products, capture data across the supply chain, and make traceability data actionable to business users through data analytics tools.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Traceability software is usually a cloud-based web applications powered by APIs and integrations with your supply chain data, scanning systems, ERPs, and more.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Example analytics dashboard in a product traceability system<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<figure\n  class=\"post-image\"\n  style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"\">\n  <picture>\n          <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\n        class=\"post-image__img\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image28-800x464-1.png\"\n        alt=\"image28-800x464\"\n        width=\"800\"\n        height=\"464\"\n      >\n      <\/picture>\n      <figcaption class=\"post-image__caption\">The above traceability system provides analytics and workflows tailored to specific traceability use cases.<\/figcaption>\n  <\/figure>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>In this basic diagram of a traceability system using QR codes on product packaging and on boxes, data flows in and out of the system across the value chain:<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><strong>Example: Traceability data across the value chain<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<figure\n  class=\"post-image\"\n  style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"\">\n  <picture>\n          <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\n        class=\"post-image__img\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/product-traceability-with-qr-code.png\"\n        alt=\"product-traceability-with-qr-code\"\n        width=\"800\"\n        height=\"286\"\n      >\n      <\/picture>\n  <\/figure>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>While many basic supply chain traceability needs can be met using just your ERP, some in-house development, and unique QR codes or barcodes printed on packaging, these implementations quickly run into limitations.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Dedicated, purpose-built traceability software has the following advantages:<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Provides a single source of truth<\/strong> across multiple MES and ERP systems, both in-house and from external supply chain partners.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Reliably issues a large number of codes<\/strong> on-demand, with varying states and fields tailored to your requirements.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Adapts to different enterprise user needs<\/strong> such as supply chain managers, inventory and demand managers, channel managers, marketing, brand protection, and executives to log-in securely, with the right access, and get analytics and tools related to their traceability use case.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Has off-the-shelf supply chain scanning workflow tools for Android and iOS<\/strong> for supply chain managers or distributors to scan products or logistic units to see or update product and shipment information.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Enables creation of mobile web pages for displaying product information<\/strong>, including product origin or supply chain information to consumers or professional users without any programming.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Integrates with customer engagement and loyalty programs<\/strong>, which result in the generation of valuable in-market product traceability data.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Has lower up-front and ongoing costs<\/strong> than in-house development and customization or extension of your ERP system.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Allows you to remain the owner of your data<\/strong> to prevent vendor lock-in. Your traceability supplier should be able to provide you all data in an easy machine-readable format for migration to another solution if needed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4} --><\/p>\n<h4>In the ISA 95 Framework Layer Model, which &#8220;Layer&#8221; does a product traceability system fall into?<\/h4>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>End-to-end product traceability systems are considered Layer 5 solutions in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plm.automation.siemens.com\/global\/en\/our-story\/glossary\/isa-95-framework-and-layers\/53244\">ISA 95 Framework&#8217;s Layer Model<\/a> for technology and business processes in manufacturing. They consume and connect data across the supply chain network, while also integrating vertically with solutions in layers 0 through 4 through ERP, MES, and other IT systems.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Different pieces of the traceability technology stack fall into the following layers of the ISA 95 framework (L\u2019s) :<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Layer 0 to 3 solutions<\/strong> refers to physical activity (i.e. assembly) within the product manufacturing process. Product data from these levels is usually fed into the next level, a level 4 solution.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Layer 4 solutions<\/strong> refers to systems like ERPs which trace products from the manufacturing and packaging process to shipping, but not downstream into the supply chain across stakeholders.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Layer 5 solutions<\/strong> refers to hardware, software, and processes at the supply chain network level, working across supply chain participants including distributors and end-users, and which connect to the originating ERP, thus providing a single source-of-truth across the supply chain.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h3\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Using ERP and MES for traceability\n  <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems perform critical traceability functions, including generating and storing unique identifiers and data on raw materials, products, and logistics. They are an integral part of any product or supply chain traceability solution.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>The traceability limitations of many such IT systems is in how they capture downstream traceability data, and how they expose and make that data actionable for business users.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><strong>Modern traceability solutions integrate with and extend ERP and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) systems to capture and make use of data throughout the supply chain down to the end customer. They provide dedicated workflow tools to make that data actionable.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>ERPs such as SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics ERP, QAD, and JDA and MES such as QAD, Oracle MES, and Microsoft Dynamics 365 can be extended with modules for serialization and traceability. However, the costs for extending and customizing these systems can add up across a global organization with many systems, and must be evaluated against the alternative of using a purpose-built traceability system for serialization, traceability, and integration.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Other potential downsides of relying on existing IT infrastructure for traceability include:<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Difficult to integrate <\/strong>with other data sources elsewhere in the supply chain if systems are on-premise (not hosted in the cloud).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lack of easy-to use apps and tools<\/strong> to manage and expose traceability and product information to business users, supply chain partners, or even customers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h3\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Using handheld devices and mobile apps for scanning QR, data matrix codes, and RFID\n  <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>The workhorse of warehouse management, handheld devices are used to scan in and scan out products throughout the supply chain as they enter and leave warehouses and distribution centers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<figure\n  class=\"post-image\"\n  style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"\">\n  <picture>\n          <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\n        class=\"post-image__img\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/zebra-scanner.png\"\n        alt=\"zebra-scanner\"\n        width=\"400\"\n        height=\"450\"\n      >\n      <\/picture>\n      <figcaption class=\"post-image__caption\">Warehouse staff using a Zebra barcode scanner<\/figcaption>\n  <\/figure>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Some product traceability systems have shifted from expensive hand-held scanners with relatively fixed functionality to smartphones and tablets with apps for warehouse and distribution workflows. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scantrust.com\/supply-chain-traceability-solutions\/\">These apps<\/a> provide flexibility and frequent feature updates.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Mobile apps for scanning barcodes, data matrix, QR codes, RFID on products and boxes have the added benefit of being able to to double as product authentication tools for inspectors, if this is something your traceability system can support.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<figure\n  class=\"post-image\"\n  style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"\">\n  <picture>\n          <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\n        class=\"post-image__img\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image14.png\"\n        alt=\"image14\"\n        width=\"406\"\n        height=\"512\"\n      >\n      <\/picture>\n      <figcaption class=\"post-image__caption\">Many supply chain scanning workflows use mobile apps for scanning 2D barcodes.<\/figcaption>\n  <\/figure>\n\n  <h3\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Blockchains for supply chain traceability (upstream and downstream)\n  <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>A blockchain is a distributed database designed to be jointly managed by a group of stakeholders. By design, it should not be changeable by any one stakeholder.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Blockchains have been proposed as a next-generation solution for product and supply chain traceability, with many digital supply chain, supply chain innovation, and digital transformation teams investing in blockchain proof-of-concepts and pilots for food traceability in particular.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>There are many businesses and organizations exploring the use of blockchains to maintain a detailed history of the inputs and lifecycle of each unique product, with this shared record to be used by suppliers and stakeholders in the supply chain. The goal is for this to be easier to integrate with and more reliable than traditional traceability databases due to how the blockchain database is designed.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<figure\n  class=\"post-image\"\n  style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"\">\n  <picture>\n          <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\n        class=\"post-image__img\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image2-800x800-2.png\"\n        alt=\"image2-800x800\"\n        width=\"300\"\n        height=\"800\"\n      >\n      <\/picture>\n      <figcaption class=\"post-image__caption\">This Knorr soup product stores ingredient information on a blockchain.<\/figcaption>\n  <\/figure>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>In response to the interest in blockchains for traceability, several large IT technology providers such as IBM, SAP, and Oracle have released private blockchain-based traceability solutions.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><strong>But what are the benefits of using blockchain for traceability, and what are the challenges?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>In practice, supply chains are complex and non-technical details can strongly influence whether or not a blockchain solution is viable for use in traceability.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Based on our experience implementing blockchains for coffee traceability, <a href=\"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/case-study\/anti-counterfeiting-and-product-traceability-for-baias-wine\/\">wine traceability<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/case-study\/cpg-brand-loyalty-through-connected-packaging-knorr-case-study\/\">packaged food product traceability<\/a>, we have learned that blockchains can be useful solutions for upstream ingredient traceability mainly for three use cases:<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {\"ordered\":true} --><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Document compliance with regulatory requirements such as certifications<\/li>\n<li>Product recalls of ingredients<\/li>\n<li>Consumer trust use cases<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><strong>That said, when using blockchains for upstream traceability, the most critical challenge to be addressed is not technical &#8211; it\u2019s stakeholder alignment and collaboration among the upstream suppliers to provide data to the blockchain.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>For an upstream traceability project based on a blockchain, the blockchain requires data, and data must come from suppliers. This requires either a consortium driven by an industry or trade association or a large OEM producer with leverage over its suppliers to agree to use the blockchain.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Downstream traceability does not require blockchain; traditional database solutions do the job.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scantrust.com\/request-a-demo\/\">Contact us<\/a> to learn more if blockchain makes sense for your use case.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h2\n    id=\"ten-steps\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Ten steps to implementing traceability for your supply chain\n  <\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>When we work with organizations to implement traceability, we recommend the following ten steps to ensure a successful project:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h3\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Step 1: Identify benefits and set a long-term vision. \n  <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>An executive or leader, often in a supply chain, digital innovation, operations, or marketing role, defines some of the key benefits sought and a long-term vision. Problem statements often include factors such as:<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Loss of revenue or opportunity cost<\/li>\n<li>Impact on reputation or brand image<\/li>\n<li>Legal risk due to non-compliance<\/li>\n<li>Supply chain interruptions or wastage<\/li>\n<li>Potential for growth in new or developing markets, categories, or demographics<\/li>\n<li>Social, sustainability, carbon reduction, and other ethical responsibilities of the company<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>See the <a href=\"#benefits\">benefits<\/a> section above for more detail on the return-on-investment of traceability solutions.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h3\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Step 2: Create a working group to define the project. \n  <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>The executive forms a small working group covering key stakeholders, including:<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>IT<\/li>\n<li>Manufacturing operations<\/li>\n<li>Supply chain<\/li>\n<li>Marketing<\/li>\n<li>Cross-border trade and distributor or channel partner monitoring<\/li>\n<li>Regional business leads<\/li>\n<li>Digital innovation and transformation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h3\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Step 3: Build a business case, including total cost of ownership (TCO).\n  <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>The working group scopes and defines the problems to be addressed, quantifies the benefits, defines a target total cost of ownership (TOC) and return-on-investment (ROI) within a two, three, or five-year timeframe. The team iterates on the business case with feedback from the executive sponsor, internal experts, vendors, and consultants, and defines key metrics for internal and external costs associated with the project.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>See the section above on <a href=\"#benefits\">benefits<\/a> for what can be factored into the business case and calculations for return-on-investment.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>This should include:<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><strong>Packaging adjustment costs: <\/strong>Associated with changes to packaging design, requires alignment with brand managers and communication with printing partners.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><strong>Marketing budget: <\/strong>Needed for promotion and awareness of your connected packaging campaign, which will capture data from customers in-market when they scan your products.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><strong>Manufacturing line integration costs: <\/strong>This includes line hardware modifications, system integrations (middleware\/ MES\/ ERP), and any scheduled downtime due to installation and testing.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><strong>Supply chain operations costs: <\/strong>Changes are needed to internal (and sometimes) external SOPs; additional QA steps for managing and monitoring the serialization and in some cases extending serialization to outside the four walls with trading partners such as distributors, wholesalers, or dealers.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><strong>Project management costs: <\/strong>On average 10%-15% of all person-power assigned to this project is spent on various project management activities such as documentation and artifact management, steering meetings, vendor and team alignment meetings, testing, etc.<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><strong>Procurement and compliance cost: <\/strong>Legal alignment with company purchasing processes, vendor registration and onboarding, as well as IT security compliance all need to be factored in.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h3\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Step 4: Create a formal traceability RFP or project definition document and gain executive approval. \n  <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Once the business case is approved at the executive level, a formal project proposal (RFP) can be shared with vendors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h3\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Step 5: Share the project with traceability vendors. \n  <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Keep in mind that once the project is internally greenlit, experienced traceability solution vendors will continue to provide feedback that will help you refine your project.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h3\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Step 6: Choose an experienced traceability provider to work with. \n  <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>We recommend finding a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scantrust.com\/supply-chain-traceability-solutions\">traceability solution provider<\/a> who can:<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:list --><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Lead workshops on project or pilot design, based on your traceability goals.<\/li>\n<li>Help you identify the right hardware and system integration vendors based on your business requirements.<\/li>\n<li>Provide proven traceability software developed in-house for ID generation, integration across ERP and MES systems, traceability analytics, and supply chain workflow tools for QR, data matrix, RFID, etc.<\/li>\n<li>Has geographic coverage of the markets you are active in.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h3\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Step 7: Design a product traceability pilot or proof-of-concept\n  <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Once you\u2019ve decided on a traceability solution provider, work with them to set the pilot or proof-of-concept (PoC) project design, including definitions of success that align with your longer-term vision. Usually, pilots begin with one product category in one market, then expand from there. Run workshops with different stakeholders and software and hardware providers based on your business requirements.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h3\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Step 8: Launch the pilot and improve. \n  <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Based on learnings from the pilot, make improvements to your approach. This typically focuses on:<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:list --><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>How codes are printed, activated in-line<\/li>\n<li>How distribution partners scan your boxes or products<\/li>\n<li>How you encourage customers to scan products (customer engagement) to generate route-to-market data<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h3\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    Step 9: Expand to other products, markets, and use cases. \n  <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p>Once the pilot or proof-of-concept project begins delivering value, look at expanding to more product lines, regions, and distribution channels. Consider how to better leverage your traceability system for other benefits, such as anti-counterfeiting, professional user engagement, and consumer engagement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<figure\n  class=\"post-image\"\n  style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"\">\n  <picture>\n          <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\n        class=\"post-image__img\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cms.scantrust.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Screenshot-2022-08-01-at-12.26.36.png\"\n        alt=\"Screenshot 2022-08-01 at 12.26.36\"\n        width=\"300\"\n        height=\"824\"\n      >\n      <\/picture>\n      <figcaption class=\"post-image__caption\">ISDIN uses social channels to build awareness of QR code campaigns<\/figcaption>\n  <\/figure>\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"\/case-study\/qr-codes-for-marketing-campaigns\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Case Study: ISDIN uses QR codes for marketing campaigns<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n  <h2\n    id=\"\"\n    class=\"post-title\"\n    style=\"\n      color: #222;\n      max-width: none;\n      text-align: left;\n    \"\n    >\n    What\u2019s next?\n  <\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"post-text \" id=\"\"><p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Find a trusted end-to-end traceability solution provider to help guide you through your traceability project. This can save not just resources but months or even years on your quest to achieve product and supply chain traceability.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>At Scantrust we frequently meet companies who have just embarked on their traceability journey, with a vision for traceability but needing support with the business case and technical approach.\u00a0Let us share our technology, experience, and passion for traceability!<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"button-container\">\n  <a\n    href=\"\/request-a-demo\/\"\n    class=\"s-button\"\n    style=\"\n      --background-colour: #0789B2;\n      --background-hover-colour: #0789B2;\n      --border: none;\n      --border-hover-colour: transparent;\n      --border-radius: 0;\n      --text-colour: #FFFFFF;\n      --text-hover-colour: #FFFFFF;\n    \">\n    Get Scantrust codes now\n  <\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"post-spacer\" ><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this detailed guide with real-world examples, we explain the benefits of product traceability and the key technologies being deployed today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":1654,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"editor_plus_copied_stylings":"{}"},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v19.0.1 (Yoast SEO v20.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Traceability solutions for supply chains in 2023<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how leading companies use traceability solutions with QR codes and RFIDs to track and trace products in their supply chains.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" 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