Supply Chain Graph Tracking via Node Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Global supply chains face challenges in tracking individual parts through aggregation and disaggregation stages, and missing information hinders real-time decision-making for accountability, disruptions, and certifications.
Innovation Solution
A supply chain tracking system utilizing a processor and memory to store and execute instructions for tracking product units with unique tracking codes, storing node information for supply chain graph nodes, and recording transfers between stages, enabling deterministic and probabilistic tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual product tracking is implemented through aggregation and disaggregation stages, then traceability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the supply chain into discrete nodes (e.g., farms, warehouses, transport vehicles) and tracks products through these segments using unique tracking codes. Each node maintains a ledger recording product movements, enabling traceability while managing complexity through modular organization of tracking data across supply chain stages.
Solution Approach 2:
A centralized tracking system acts as an intermediary between supply chain participants, collecting and maintaining product movement data from multiple sources. This intermediary ledger system consolidates tracking information from various nodes, enabling comprehensive traceability without requiring each participant to maintain complex tracking systems independently.
2Productivity
If real-time tracking information is collected from all supply chain stages, then decision-making capability is improved, but information loss from missing data increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously collects and updates product tracking data from supply chain nodes, creating a feedback loop that enables real-time monitoring. The ledger records product movements, locations, and status changes, providing feedback information that supports timely decision-making while minimizing information gaps through systematic data collection at each stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes tracking codes and recording mechanisms in advance before products move through the supply chain. By pre-configuring tracking infrastructure and data collection protocols at each node, the system ensures comprehensive information capture from the outset, reducing the likelihood of missing data during product movement.
3Reliability
If comprehensive tracking of all product units is implemented, then accountability is improved, but tracking time and resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges tracking of multiple product units into unified supply chain nodes and ledgers. By aggregating product data at strategic points (nodes) and maintaining consolidated records of movements and locations, the system achieves comprehensive accountability while reducing the time required to track individual units through efficient data consolidation and shared tracking infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A supply chain tracking system utilizes tracking codes to track products through a supply chain. A tracking code is assigned to each product. If the product is grouped with other products at a stage in the supply chain, a tracking code is assigned to the group, and the tracking code for each of the products in the group is associated with the tracking code for the group. If the group of products is further aggregated with groups of other products, such as in a shipping container, a tracking code is assigned to the aggregated groups of products, and the tracking code for each of the groups of products is associated with the tracking code for the aggregated groups of products. The tracking codes are used to generate a supply chain graph which maps the travel of each product through the supply chain.