Centralized Trace Code Database for Produce Supply Chain
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The produce industry faces challenges in tracing products back to their packing facilities and fields of origin due to varied recording techniques and the difficulty in providing real-time access to shipping and inspection information, which complicates food safety tracing and customer requests for instant information access.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that involve gathering and recording inspection, grower, field, and packing information, assigning trace codes, and entering this data into a central database, allowing customers to access this information through a web-based application, enabling real-time tracking and standardized recording procedures across the supply chain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If paper-based recording techniques are used for shipping and inspection information, then recording flexibility is maintained, but information accessibility and tracing speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual paper-based recording systems with automated electronic data capture systems. Barcode scanners, RFID readers, and other electronic devices automatically record inspection and shipping information in a centralized database, eliminating the need for manual paper entry and enabling instant digital access to all product traceability data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital copies of all inspection and shipping records in a centralized database. These electronic copies can be instantly accessed, retrieved, and shared across multiple locations without the limitations of physical paper records, enabling rapid information retrieval and comprehensive traceability.
2Productivity
If multiple different recording techniques are used across the supply chain, then operational flexibility is maintained, but information standardization and tracing efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal standardized data collection system that can handle multiple types of information (inspection results, shipping details, product specifications) through a single integrated platform. The system uses standardized data fields and formats that work across all supply chain operations, enabling consistent and efficient tracing regardless of the specific operation or location.
3Loss of time
If real-time access to produce information is implemented, then customer satisfaction improves, but system complexity and implementation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized database as an intermediary between the various supply chain operations and the end users. This database acts as a mediator that collects, stores, and manages all product information in a standardized format, allowing any authorized user to access real-time information through simple queries without needing to navigate complex operational systems at each facility.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of allowing a customer to access information related to an order of a commodity include gathering inspection information from a commodity lot, collecting grower, field, and packing information associated with the commodity lot, recording purchase orders associated with the commodity lot, assigning a trace code to each of the purchase orders, entering the inspection information; the grower, field, and packing information; the purchase orders; and the trace codes into a central database. Once entered into the central database, the content of a web-based application may be updated with the inspection information, the grower, field, and packing information, the purchase orders, and the trace codes within the central database, thereby allowing the customer to access the inspection information, and the grower, field, and packing information, by entering one of the trace codes into the web-based application.