Chapter-12

• Use of Technologies In Logistics

 Concern of Distribution
Manager
• Fate of a consignment after it has left
base and the scheduled time of arrival
• Follow up with the transport agents
• Distribution manager needs technology to
track the cargo

Ch-12 Use of Technology in Logistics

Global Positioning System-GPS
• It is a mobile vehicle tracking system
modular in design having two parts a
mobile vehicle unit and a fixed base
station the mobile vehicle unit attached to
the vehicle will have a GPS module
through which the vehicle’s position will be
monitored via satellite and GSM
technology will be used to transmit that
information to the base station

Ch-12 Use of Technology in Logistics

Global Positioning System-GPS
• The fixed base station will have a GSM
module and a web serve.
• The base station allows the client to view
his vehicle on a geographic map.
• Multilayer in-depth maps of cities are also
available and position of the vehicle is
displayed one these maps

Ch-12 Use of Technology in Logistics

 Swipe Cards
• Swipe card is similar to credit card in physical
nature
• Driver required to swipe card at pre determined
specified kiosks
• On swiping a slips gets generated which the
driver is supposed to retain as proof of reporting
• The venture has established network over 200
swipe station on major national and state
highways at intervals of app 150 to 200 kms.

Ch-12 Use of Technology in Logistics

 Swipe Cards

• The data is made available on a web

site which cab be accessed by
registered users
• Maruti Udyod Ltd, Hero Honda,
Samsung are some of the large
companies who are subscribers to this
project.
• The cost is lower at app. Rs. 1500 per
month
Ch-12 Use of Technology in Logistics
 Bar Codes
• Bar Coe gives information of the batch
number, date and time of manufacture,
source and similar other details
• Bar code scanners are used for reading
bar codes
• The can scan the bard codes, decode the
information and transmit the same to a
computer.

Ch-12 Use of Technology in Logistics

 Bar Codes

• At factor exists, store exits as well as

entry points, fixed mount scanner can
be placed.
• Handheld scanners cab be used when
picking materials for deliveries to
upgrade records.
• Oldest packed first out inventory
management cab be will managed
through this Ch-12 Use of Technology in Logistics
Radio Frequency Identification-
RFID
• Three part technology, comprising a
reader, a Trans receiver with a decoder,
and a transponder (rf tag)
• Is a wireless system
• The reader emits a radio signal, that
activate the tag and reads and writes data
to it.
• A

Ch-12 Use of Technology in Logistics

Radio Frequency Identification-
RFID
• As products are shipped, received or stored the
information encoded on a bar code like tag cab
be read and received by the reader which is
attached to a computer.
• RFID us an electronic product code (EPC)
which is an unique number that identifies a
specific item in the supply chain.
• Wail-Mart is deploying RFID in its stores

Ch-12 Use of Technology in Logistics

 Operational issues with supply
chain
• Quantity of goods to be produced
• When to produce
• When to ship
• What is the location of the current
inventory and by deploying RFID the
manufacturing process can move from just
in time production to real time production

Ch-12 Use of Technology in Logistics

 Future of RFID

• Great use potential in pharmaceutical

industry
• Less customer waiting at retail counter
• Pantaloons, and shoppers stop have
started pilot projects to test the concept
• Infosys, Wipro, are also gearing up to
meet the needs with system support
initiatives.
Ch-12 Use of Technology in Logistics
 Summary
• Biggest concern of distribution manager is
to track movement of materials
• GPS, Swipe Cards, Bar Codes, RFID are
the technologies which are very useful
• RFID is having great use potential

Ch-12 Use of Technology in Logistics