Traceability

The utilization of a traceability system makes a total control of all stages of the “cadeia de suprimentos” supplies set possible (?), witch offers essential instruments (tools) for the risk's analysis and management. From a better risk's control, the company can maximize its results, beyond provide more security and reliability to its costumer. Another fundamental aspect is the product's differentiation factor. When a company obtains a “certificate of origin (Possession document) and processing”, it can differentiate and add value to their products. It is important to remember that adequacy to the quality systems could implicate in the obligation of a traceability concept's application in the “set” of supplies.

Traceability in the “Set of Supplies”

The Traceability should be applied to the “set of supplies” with the objective of make a correct use of the identification and localization of any product in any part of the “set of supplies”. Thereunto, it is necessary that all the merchant partners of the “set” have a single identification (traceable unit) and communication default, beyond being integrated, in collaborative processes , in witch the relevant information is continuously exchanged (shared) between the “set's” components.

It is thought this mechanism that the product's possession can be controlled, and the integrity in each part of the “set of supplies” can be guaranteed.

It is a responsibility of each company to menage what it had received from its supplier and what it is been delivered to its clients.

Precision and fastness in the data register and recuperation are also traceability's system referential elements.

Understand the traceability

To make easier to prevent and identify a problem, the companies keep a product's life register, from the used raw, the production processes, the storage (to) and the distribution system. These informations are the bases for the traceability systems elaboration.

The traceability functionality depends on the single and exclusive products identification (traceable unit) and the quality of the registered and stored informations by all the involved parts in the production and distribution processes. If the supplier of a given input, for example, doesn't have control about its origin, the traceability becomes ... at this point. For the final product to be a success, it is therefor important that everyone are aware of their commitment level in the chain.(?)

Important concepts in a Traceability System

• Identification

It is the traceability systems base. It is not possible to ensure it unless the items (products, boxes, pallets, localizations) receive single and exclusive identifications (traceable unit).

• TU Capture and Record

The essential informations for the traceability shall be recorded via digital or manual records. The digital record via automatic data capture (bar code use), recording via special printers (ink jets, lasers, and others) is recommendable. The TU capture and marking processes shall be automatized, so the typing errors in the data record don't occur (it is typing error free).

• Links Management

The links shall be done between the units and their respective package format, such as the “order box” and the logistic unit. Also, the products' information, the used raw and the manufacturing process in witch it was used shall be linked.

• Communication

The system shall be enable to provide clear informations and in a fast way, in time to eventually take the needed arrangements to avoid risks or minimize crisis consequences.

The Traceability informations are given via Internet, and it is only necessary to have a browser for all the available data.

Traceability – Efficiency and Security

Since some time ago, the products and costumers security was just treated as an industry's exclusive responsibility. Though, the publication of specific regimentation about theses subjects, both in the domestic and external market, brought to light a significant change in the way of facing and dealing with this situation.

The quality and safety of the offered products and services contribute definitely to increase the costumer confidence and make its relationship with the institutions stronger.

Resources investments in information systems, processes and integration automation are necessary in the supply chain to achieve the quality and safety of their products, such as the companies responsibility in every production and distribution stage.

HDN, concerned about these questions, and seeking to follow the product's production, distribution and commercialization processes, develop Traceability Solutions, making the products' tracking possible in the whole supplies chain.

In reason of the increasing demand from the domestic and external governments, the products traceability becomes, though, a legal requisite, witch requires that the suppliers and distributing industries implement systems with are appropriated to ensure it in their operations and keep their competitiveness.

The traceability additional benefits can be found, such as to reach the current elevated level of costumers expectations about the products and services quality and safety and increase the clients perception of the aggregated values related to the offered products and services,(and at the same time to be able to make the operational efficiency better) at the same time as to be able to make the operational efficiency better.

So, it is justified the importance of systems that can guarantee the products traceability.

The traceability depends on data structures and the single and exclusive products identification, it guarantees the quality of the informations witch are registered and stored in all of the supplies chain, from the inputs (supplies) and raw receipt by the industry to the distribution and production processes.

Among the expected benefits, are:

• Better control and security in products forgery, smuggling and theft combat;
• Products traceability by automatized system of records and products activity data storage;
• Higher clearness of the vulnerabilities and weakness intrinsic to the processes;
• Ability enlargement of the identification and evaluation of the errors causes, and systems and processes development witch guarantee the clients' (patients') safety.

The Traceability systems embracing is a global trend and an essential column to the global economy, even though it is necessary to understand its benefits, to invest and establish working methods to everyone to be get advantage from it.

The “traceability systems supported by automation tools adoption”, wherefore, brings uncountable gains to those who, in line with the world trends, invest in this idea.

Competitive Differential

There are several arguments that justify the traceability inclusion into the companies' competitive strategy, but only three of them could already be enough to the system's adoption.

Its placement is an aggregated value and it differentiates the concurrent products via origin certification, posses control and specific labeling;

Exportation protection by informations and precise and quick answers to the buyer about questions related to the manufacture conditions and distribution;

The confidence relationship that the companies should keep with their costumers, very demanding nowadays, but who recognize and enrich organizations that are concerned about their wellbeing, safety and health.

Traceability – Electronic Product Code (EPC) use

The EPC – Electronic Product Code – has as an fundamental aspect the RFID (Radio frequency Identification) technology utilization in the supplies chain has became one of the main tools that are aimed at increasing efficiency in logistics management and traceability systems implementation. The EPC expedites processes and allows a better visibility to the products by the informations provision in a faster and safer way than the one reached by the available technologies used currently. It is about the total traceability, not only a process or a company, but the single product's traceability individually opened to the whole supplies chain.

The Electronic Product Code defines a new architecture that uses resources offered by the radio frequency technology, and it is a reference to new applications development. Its premise is to make complete use of the most recent infrastructures such as the Internet, and it means a concept's change in the identification and mainly in information inter exchange. The EPC expedites the processes and allows a better products visibility by the superior informations provision than the one reached by the available technologies currently used.

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