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Timely intervention at critical moments within the supply chain is a key success factor for any company to ensure a functioning supply process. But how can companies monitor their supply chains and ensure that they are informed about all processes and procedures in their supply chains? Transport tracking is the keyword and in this article we would like to give you an overview of supply chain tracking.

The transport of goods by lorry is still one of the most important means of transport in Europe: According to Statista, the transport performance of road transport in the EU was around 1.8 trillion tonne-kilometres. However, while freight transport on Europe's roads continues to increase, transport ships are still an underestimated size. Traffic jams and shocks, fluctuations in temperature, pressure or humidity can easily lead to damage to goods and products. In Germany alone, the economic loss caused by transport damage amounts to more than two billion euros per year.

During goods transport, a lot can happen along the route that affects the quality of goods: temperature changes, humidity and strong vibrations can cause considerable damage to the products being transported and result in significant consequential costs. With real-time monitoring devices, companies have access to the data they need to protect their assets and ensure better deliveries.

Since the European Union issued the HACCP regulation, food producers must ensure the uninterrupted cold chain when transporting sensitive foods such as fish, meat, fruit and vegetables. Read here how food companies use tracking systems to maintain temperature monitoring.

Digitalisation is progressing inexorably and is changing the structure of many companies and industries. The logistics sector, for example, has long been considered a pioneer, using technology early on to optimise transport and supply chains. Nevertheless, many companies are still reluctant to use digital products and are not digitising their supply chains. According to a study by logistics expert Hermes (2019), many company decision-makers (77%) see the digitalisation of the supply chain as a key success factor that holds enormous potential for optimisation.

The number of art shipments continues to increase worldwide. Paintings, statues and sculptures are exposed to major risks during transport. The handling of artworks in galleries, loading onto lorries, driving over bumpy road surfaces or handling at airports expose art objects to situations in which serious damage and accelerated ageing can occur. Art transport is therefore of particular importance as a cause of possible damage.

Supply chains in the automotive industry are complex, widely ramified and harbour many risks: If a partner in the chain fails - as is now the case in the coronavirus pandemic - a domino effect sets in and the production of many car manufacturers comes to a standstill. Read here how a digitalised supply chain can minimise the risk of damage for manufacturers and reduce costs.

Over the past 100 years, maritime shipping has changed considerably, but many risks are still part and parcel of maritime transport. Transport damage is a good example of this and continues to be part of everyday life for many shipping companies. Good risk management and better data utilisation and analysis can help here and reduce damage to goods and products.

Good hygiene monitoring is a major challenge, especially for small and medium-sized food businesses. Inspections have to be planned, inspectors appointed and samples sent to laboratories.

The COVID-19 pandemic is currently presenting the world with one of the most complex challenges in cold chain logistics of all: the rapid and safe distribution of deep-frozen vaccines in large