Communications of the ACM
Ornl Package Tracking System Takes Social Media to New Heights
Photo courtesy of Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) researchers have developed Tracking 2.0, supply chain software that provides a start-to-finish view as an item moves to its destination. The program is designed to solve the problem of proprietary and incompatible databases used by different shippers.
"Tracking 2.0 leverages eight years of ORNL research into supply chain infrastructure and testbed collaborations with state and local first responders, multi-modal freight service providers, private-sector shippers, and federal and international government partners," says ORNL researcher Randy Walker.
Tracking 2.0 enables users to share tracking data with existing systems and utilize emerging technologies without having to rework enterprise systems. Users also can deploy custom tools that combine security practices with social-computing technologies. All codes translate to Uniform Resource Locators that identify tracking information.
The researchers say the system offers the ability to dynamically incorporate and associate searchable user-defined tags to the Virtual Resource Locator. "We believe the same underlying social media and social networking methods that permit users to share photos and keep in touch with their friends and family can be repurposed to help supply chain stakeholders," Walker says.
From Oak Ridge National Laboratory
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