UN/CEFACT-Guidance Material-WP-TrackTrace-MMT

In October 2018, seven UN/CEFACT Heads of Delegation supported the Cross-Industry Supply Chain Track and Trace project. After investigating the background and considerations necessary for this subject, the development of this white paper marks the first deliverable of the project. This will be followed by the development of a business requirements specification (BRS) document. These deliverables will result in business process models and business class diagrams which will document the business scenarios and business transactions involved. These deliverables will enable the exchange of information during the transportation phase of traded goods from original consignor to final consignee, which are carried in identifiable transport assets.

This white paper provides an overview of the project scope and objectives, which will provide the basic assumptions to support the development of the (BRS). Tracing methodologies (such as processes and use cases) will be presented which could enable the tracking of each identifiable asset by retrieving the information about the locations and events that affect the asset during transportation. The needed data should be transmitted in electronic format, either directly from a technological solution or keyed into a system by a stakeholder.

Target group
Anyone who has an interest in the transportation of goods by any mode of transport should consult this white paper. This includes the seller (original consignor) sending traded goods, and the buyer (ultimate consignee). Both parties need to have answers to the basic question “where are our goods?”9. In addition, a freight forwarder may want to know “where is my consignment?”, or a customs official may want to know “is it safe to allow this transport unit/consignment into the country?”. This white paper will be beneficial reading to respond to these questions and being able to identify the whereabouts (present and past) and/or the condition of the traded goods.