BT adds cloud-based tracking

   BT Global Services has released new cloud-based capabilities for its BT Trace solution, which is designed to help companies manage their complex global supply chains.
   “Companies with a global supply chain deal with multiple issues, from counterfeiting and shrinkage to product recalls and perishable goods. This is typical for global companies active in industry sectors such as consumer packaged goods, logistics, manufacturing, pharma or retail for example,” BT explained. “They need an accurate understanding of all inventory and on-shelf availability, all the while trying to comply with regulations and operate a sustainable business.
   “Supply chain visibility is a challenge for those companies because of the multiplicity of formats, sources and partners that collect data. All too often, their various resource planning and backend systems are not even connected,” BT added.
   The new cloud service collects, stores, shares and interprets high-volume event data about goods and assets moving in a global supply chain, BT said.
   The service was recently tested by TNT Express. BT Trace helped the express carrier improve its operational efficiency and customer service and optimize reverse logistics.
   “There is no doubt that a single view across all systems and data speeds up processes and identifies significant events, allowing us to respond in new and better ways to our customers, and they, in turn, deliver a better service to their customers,” said Steve Brown, divisional general manager for TNT Special Services, in a statement.