Traceability – The Key to an Organized Warehouse and Product Safety

Traceability – The Key to an Organized Warehouse and Product Safety

Traceability refers to the ability to determine what happens to a specific unit (product or logistics unit) at every point in the supply chain. To achieve this, we must ensure a connection between the physical flow of goods and the data flow related to them. This includes tracking what has been: received, produced, packed, stored, and dispatched.

🛠️ How is Traceability Established?

The most common method for ensuring traceability is by monitoring the movement of products from one point to another. Tracking is usually performed at the batch level, where items have undergone the same production, transport, or storage processes.

The minimum data required for traceability includes:

• Batch number and/or
• Logistics unit identifier

📦 An Organized Warehouse Relies on Traceability

For traceability to be effective, the warehouse must be well-organized and supported by technological solutions. The fundamental steps include:

1. Product identification – using barcode scanners on basic or logistics packaging (GS1).
2. Capturing batch and expiration data – manually or via scanning.
3. Storing pallets in designated locations – ensuring visibility and optimal space usage.
4. Handling content – based on FIFO or FEFO principles, depending on expiration dates.
5. Information system support – integration with a logistics management system.

🏷️ Key Elements of the Labeling System:

• GTIN (Global Trade Item Number)
• SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code)
• GLN (Global Location Number)

🔑 Core Principles of Traceability:

1. Identification of products and logistics units
2. Recording sequential links between batches and units
3. Storing data throughout the entire supply chain
4. Providing relevant information to the next partner in the chain

🔎 Traceability also enables situation analysis, partner communication, and identifying gaps between the current and desired states. Product labeling with barcodes is essential – without them, tracking is not possible.

❓ Why is Traceability Important?

• Demand for safe and controlled food supply
• Occurrence of faulty products despite standards
• Enables targeted product recalls
• Adapts to European standards
• Compliance with EU Regulation 178/2002

💡 Solution: LEOSS WMS
A solution for optimizing and automating warehouse operations with precise tracking of goods from receipt to delivery.