Logistics processes rely on key shipment status updates such as order confirmed, shipped, in transit, customs, delivering, delivered, order finished, etc. To have an overview of the current status of the goods. However, these terms mean different things and occur in different sequences to various stakeholders.
For instance, when a notification states that a shipment is in transit, does it mean it has left the warehouse? Has it gone through customs (if it applies)? Is it being transported to a bulk unloading station or its final destination? This leaves room for so much interpretation and ambiguity when trying to track your goods. The Working Group Track & Trace addresses these challenges by creating a standardised event and notification model that ensures a unified, transparent and precise interpretation of logistics data across the industry.
Standardising shipment status updates
The current track and trace systems differ significantly, although they often map identical processes. The Working Group Track & Trace is actively trying to change that by creating an open source-based solution to define a standardised process and interface designation that creates a common understanding of events and notifications. This will enable companies to plan better, promote transparency in their supply chains, and implement a clear and unanimous communications standard for all stakeholders.
The group has made significant progress so far. It has created the first version of a minimum common event and notification model, including status codes, between LSPs and customers and between LSPs and carriers (subcontractors) for individual shipments. They also mapped both happy and unhappy paths for the process.
“I am very pleased that we were able to release the first version of our Track & Trace event model at the end of last year. Through numerous discussions and iterations with over 20 partners, we were able to define a minimum solution that everyone was comfortable with.”
Shares Nathalie Böhning, Innovations and Project Manager, Open Logistics Foundation
Ongoing developments and next steps
Building on their progress, the Track & Trace Working Group is now focused on:
- Preparing appropriate definitions and trigger points to match the first version of our event and notification model
- Enhancing notification features by continuous refinement based on the feedback from the industry
- Scaling the data model across multiple stakeholders and logistics service providers
“Collaboration is the key to addressing industry-wide challenges. By working together, we’ve achieved tangible results that improve cost efficiency, data integrity and resilience in logistics. Now that version 1 is complete, we’re taking the next step: Rolling out the model and refining it through continuous feedback and improvement.”
Explains Marius Hilb, Product Owner of IoT at DB Schenker and Working Group lead.
Industry collaboration for a unanimous notifications model
The success of this project is built on collaboration between diverse companies, including Aventeon BV, BusinessCode GmbH, CargoSign UAB, CargoLedger, Contargo GmbH & Co. KG, Dachser SE, DB Schenker, DSLV, duisport – Duisburger Hafen AG, Fraunhofer IML, iteratec GmbH, logistics cloud, Markant Gruppe, Maven, Rhenus Logistics, SITRA Spedition GmbH, TradeLink, trans.eu, TransFollow, Translogica GmbH, Transporeon GmbH, Zekju GmbH and ZUFALL logistics group. (The status as of February 2025)
As the group moves forward, more logistics service providers, IT companies, and supply chain stakeholders are encouraged to join and help shape the future of shipment events. The group meets virtually every third Wednesday of the month.
Learn more about the Working Group on our website: https://openlogisticsfoundation.org/foundation-projects/working-group-track-trace/
