Info & Communication Systems in Transport

• The unit aims to equip students with detailed knowledge of information and communication systems in international transport.
• It covers information exchange systems, goods traceability, route variation management, quality indicators, and the generation of logistics reports and graphs.

Information and Communication Systems

• Focuses on various systems used for information exchange in international transport.

Fax

• A system for transmitting written or graphical documents through telephone lines.
• Usage has decreased but still employed for urgent documents like contracts, permits, and invoices.
• Characterized by immediacy and simplicity.

Postal Mail

• Traditional method for sending documents or goods.
• Necessary for legal documents, permits, or when advanced technology is not usable.
• Mainly applied to transmit customs documents and other authorizations.

Email

• Widely used due to speed, accessibility, and ability to send attachments.
• Applied to send contracts, invoices, reports, and coordination between stakeholders.

Mobile Communication

• Instant communication, real-time information transmission, and route management possible through mobile devices.
• Useful in emergency situations for quick decision-making.

Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)

• Portable electronic organizers with GPS navigation, route management, and barcode scanning functionalities.
• Enables transporters to access key information in real-time.

Global Positioning System (GPS)

• Satellite-based system allowing tracking of vehicles or goods worldwide.
• It provides precise location and time information for tracking goods, optimizing routes, and improving safety.

Galileo

• European satellite navigation system similar to GPS, known for higher precision (10-meter error margin).
• Useful for high-accuracy applications like transporting high-value goods and real-time fleet management.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

• Technology using radio waves to identify and track objects.
• RFID tags are placed on goods for automatic tracking, improving traceability and inventory management.

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)

• System for electronic exchange of documents between companies.
• Streamlines data transmission, reduces errors, and improves operational efficiency.

Goods Verification Points and Traceability

• Essential to ensure cargo safety, regulatory compliance, and logistical efficiency.

Goods Traceability

• Process of tracking goods from origin to final destination.
• Real-time tracking and visualization of goods facilitated by GPS, RFID, and EDI.

Verification Points

• Critical stages where the condition of goods is checked, and regulations are met.
• Customs verifies export and import documents.
• Cargo Terminals checks for proper loading and unloading of goods.
• Warehouses manages inventory control and condition checks.

Route Variations

• Routes can be affected by weather, accidents, technical or customs issues, requiring adjustments to transport plans.
• Efficient management of variations possible through real-time technologies like GPS and mobile communication.

Factors Affecting Route Variability

• Storms, snow, heavy rain, or hurricanes can delay transport.
• Traffic accidents or blockages can lead to detours and affect delivery times.
• Failures in transport vehicles or communication systems can also cause changes in the route.
• Sometimes goods are held at customs, causing unexpected delays.

Quality Indicators and Corrective Measures

• Metrics that measure the performance of the logistical and transport process.
• Corrective measures are actions taken when quality indicators do not meet standards.

Quality Indicators

• Measures the on-time deliveries compared to the total planned.
• Measures the ability of transport operations to meet delivery commitments without errors or damage.
• Relates the amount of goods transported to the vehicle’s total capacity.
• Measures how quickly deliveries are made based on planned times.

Corrective Measures

• Actions taken when quality indicators do not meet standards.
• Making route adjustments to reduce delivery times.
• Improving inventory management to avoid losses or delays.
• Optimizing load to maximize vehicle capacity.

Purchasing, Sales, and Warehouse Reports

• Reports are essential for control over logistics operations and facilitating decision-making.

Types of Reports

• Summaries of product and material acquisitions for transport.
• Information about goods sent to customers, including delivery dates and cargo status.
• Controls stored goods, their location, and condition, crucial for effective inventory management.

Generation of Statistical Graphs

• Visualizes key performance indicators for clear and understandable decision-making.

Types of Graphs

• Used to compare performance across different routes or vehicles.
• Used to visualize variations over time in delivery or response times.
• Used to show the distribution of load or the proportion of deliveries made on time.

Explore information and communication systems in international transport. Learn about information exchange, goods traceability, and route management. Understand quality indicators, logistics reports, and the roles of fax, postal mail, and email.