What are Different Technologies Used in Shipment Trackers with Benefits

Shipment tracking is imperative for businesses to manage their supply chain operations effectively. It helps them track fleets, raw materials, and sizable goods faster and more accurately. They can use different technologies in shipment trackers for excellent outcomes in their logistics processes. 

Although traditional tracking capabilities exist in the industry, companies are making moves by transitioning to shipment-tracking technologies. Logistics technology has empowered several industry sectors and revolutionized the seamless movement of materials and goods from origin to destination. 

For instance, GPS and Barcode tracking software improves last-mile delivery and helps maintain uncompromised coordination between carriers, retailers, and clients. Let’s dive deeper into shipment tracking, its software, and how beneficial they are to businesses and customers.

What are Shipment Trackers?

Shipment trackers enable you to track and monitor your parcels and shipments. They provide real-time updates about the current location of the item and its Estimated Delivery Date (EDD). Shipment trackers are the driving force behind logistics companies and shipping businesses.

Shipment tracking systems employ technologies like GPS (Global Positioning System), APIs (Application Programming Interface), and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). One can personally use shipment trackers to manage multiple shipments, identify delivery delays, and more.

E-commerce brands can optimize their supply chain processes, improve customer experience, and reduce misdeliveries to their customers with shipment trackers.

What are the different types of technologies used in Shipment trackers? 

Shipment tracking technology helps shippers manage domestic and international deliveries more effectively. Here are a few technologies used in shipment tracking that can be worth an investment for businesses.

1) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

The RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology is an integral tracking tool to retrieve parcel locations in transit and inventory levels. RFID contains a scanner with an RFID tag that sends and receives radio signals and stores broadcasted information within a chip.

This form of communication takes place with different radio frequencies for transmissions and signal receipts. Following that, the tags detect signals to broadcast responses.

The radio frequency identification system is widely utilized in supply chain operations where RFID tags are attached to items for tracking.

2) Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Beacon Technology

Ultra-wideband Beacon technology (UWB) is essential for fetching real-time location information and goods tracking within a storage or warehouse.

They work with UWB anchors within an invisible grid to monitor warehouses. UWB tags are attached to items for the anchors to track them at every location.

The entire process is performed within the UWB software utilized by carts, equipment, and forklifts in warehouses. The higher accuracy of the UWB software defines its value and how expensive it can be.

The UWB software allows integration with barcode, RFID, and other tracking systems to manage transportation and tracking more efficiently.

3) GPS (Global Positioning Systems) and satellite Tracking

The Global positioning system (GPS) is a popular tracking technology or a global navigation satellite system. GPS uses the numbered mobile communication network to determine the location of the product or shipment in real time. 

GPS tracking devices provide speed, time, and direction and use the triangulation method to determine latitude and longitude. The trackers installed within GPS tracking devices compare signals to calculate the shipment position. 

GPS tracking also helps businesses improve customer services by providing the latest information during last-mile delivery tracking. It is a valuable tool to ensure a decrease in untimely deliveries and increase customer satisfaction.

4) API-Integration in logistics

APIs are Application program Interfaces that integrate businesses and people. The concept of API is to accelerate your logistics and share real-time data using an automated process. APIs can help maintain cross-communication with several applications.

With APIs, businesses can perform powerful mechanisms and make informed decisions. They contribute to an enhanced customer experience and promote user-friendliness.

You can save time and money using APIs on your platforms. Overall, they can transform your business and help you generate more ROI.

5) Cell Phone Triangulation 

A similar tracking method to GPS tracking is Cell phone Triangulation. It can track your cell phone's location beyond GPS and other capabilities. The cell phone triangulation method relies specifically on the signal strength of your devices and determines the source tower strength.

The tower closest to your location derives the strongest signal and helps estimate your location. Typically, a cell phone can reach a tower at least 45 miles away with its power. Triangulation analyzes call history and records from at least three towers or points of reference to be retrieved.

6) Internet of Things (IoT) integration in transportation

The logistics and transportation infrastructure relies highly on the Internet of Things (IoT) to maintain a connected ecosystem. Based on a report by Allied Market Research, IoT usage is expected to hit $495.57 Billion at 19.9% CAGR by 2030 worldwide.

IoT can handle inventory management, customer service, fleet management, and speedy deliveries. It helps reduce downtime, cuts operational costs, optimizes road traffic, and measures performance. 

The technology offers 360 visibility of your supply chain by leveraging Bluetooth low-energy beacons (BLE) and integrating them with GPS sensors. IoT empowers Fleet management systems to support regulatory compliance. 

5 benefits of technology in shipment tracking

E-commerce companies rely increasingly on shipment tracking technology to offer the ultimate shopping experience to their customers. It enhances their order management process, retains customers and increases revenue. Here are the 5 benefits of technology in shipment tracking to skyrocket your business.

1) Increased Visibility

Businesses can monitor their shipments in real-time and update customers at each milestone. For example, API software can help increase visibility and guarantee timely deliveries to the remotest locations.

Real-time shipment tracking can track down packages, containers, and moving vehicles while they are in transit.

Businesses can identify potential issues, rectify them quickly, and resolve inefficiencies in the delivery process. This is how you can improve supply chain workflow and overall business logistics. By saying yes to logistics technology, you stay ahead of your competition.

2) Optimized Operations

Shipment tracking tools can get your work done in half the time compared to traditional tracking methods and help you avoid extra expenses. You can quickly resolve issues and make data-driven decisions to optimize logistics operations.

With enhanced efficiency in inventory and warehouse management, businesses can take the competitive edge over their competitors.

Optimizing supply chain operations can help you save the big bucks and make other relevant investments to take your business forward. Also, it can ensure fluidity in operational workflow and minimize disruptions.

3) Delivery Exceptions Management

Delivery exceptions can occur for several reasons. There can be unforeseen circumstances that may not enable the delivery of your customer’s parcels. However, shipment tracking tools can be used to minimize shipment delays and failed deliveries by providing effective solutions.

A delivery management system can offer accurate customer addresses and other details for successful deliveries. It can keep them informed with real-time information about issues and potential delays resulting in a great customer experience.

4) Better customer service 

Technology can play a vital role in restoring positive customer feedback and allow ecommerce businesses to offer seamless shipment tracking.

Visibility is a real concern for customers, and based on the Dropoff Annual consumer survey, 88% of customers use real-time shipment tracking solutions. 

An easy order tracking system gives a clear view and saves customers from confusion and difficulty. The AWB (Airway Bill) allocation is a helpful medium for tracking your order alongside EDD (estimated delivery date) and estimated delivery time.

These are necessary practices in shipment tracking systems to improve overall customer experience and keep them informed at every stage. 

5) Data Analytics

Big data has completely changed the supply chain and logistics landscape. Businesses are significantly revamping and optimizing their performance by shifting to data-driven operations and decision-making. There are many benefits of data analytics in supply chain management. 

One can start efficiently with cargo shipments, predict shipment delays, resolve customer issues, and give you better insights about their likes and dislikes. With data analytics tools, companies can practice cross-functional cooperation and generate forecasts to assist teams within the organization.

Data Analytics is a big part of the shipment tracking and the logistics infrastructure today.

How Shipment Software can optimize shipment tracker technologies?

Shipment software is an effective solution to streamline the logistics process. Businesses can utilize shipment tracking technologies such as GPS (Global Positioning System) and Geofencing to track shipments and improve their customer services.

ClickPost uses API (Application Programming Interface) integrations to connect with shipment tracking technologies in shipment trackers used by carriers. For example, they can help you track and manage shipments on a unified dashboard through their multi-carrier integration API.

Bottom Line 

Modern Logistics technology creates a massive impact on shipment tracking, ensuring speedy and reliable deliveries. Customers can rely on advanced tools for visibility and transparency of moving goods and parcels. Moreover, they can expect a user-friendly platform and efficient customer services from the business.

Shipment tracking software is the key to uncompromising logistics and supply chain workflow. Using new technologies in your shipment tracking systems can keep your customers happy and push you ahead of the competition.

FAQs 

1) What is an Automatic Identification System (AIS)?

The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a marine tracking system that works with radio frequencies on water. The system is used to track down cargo and sea freight. AIS has two classes: Class A and Class B.

2) Can delivery routes be optimized using shipment tracking tools?

Yes. Shipment tracking technology and tools can optimize delivery routes using geofencing and route analysis features. This can help reduce fuel costs and boost performance visibility.