How Visible are Products in Your Supply Chain?

Using technology throughout the supply chain can help increase efficiency. IKEA has implemented a track and trace system in the UK to help keep track of products being delivered by e-commerce orders.  With the growing e-commerce business IKEA believes this will help keep their operations efficient.  

IKEA’s distributor in UK, IKEA Distribution Services has implemented a track and trace system to help manage its customer deliveries.  The internet shopping experience in the UK has grown the number of customer deliveries.  The system gives IKEA visibility of the products from when it is shipped out of the distribution center till it is delivered at the customer’s location. The customers receive a printed receipt of delivered items when the delivery is made. 

Each truck is equipped with mobile computers and printers to not only provide customer receipts but to label damaged and returned goods with barcodes for quicker processing at the warehouse. Sixty trucks are currently equipped with the technology. IKEA plans to continue to put it into more vehicles as the e-commerce business increases. IKEA is also looking into using the technology in other countries.