The GS1 system in transport and logistics
The GS1 system offers a range of tools and solutions for use in the transport and logistics sector. These include, among others, tools such as: a global shipment and consignment identifier, standard barcodes or radio tags, a logistics label, as well as electronic messages for the exchange of information and data.
The entire GS1 offer is illustrated in Figure 1.
GS1 identifiers are encoded in standard GS1 symbologies, including in particular the GS1-128 code, and printed on a logistics and transport label. Identifiers can also be saved in radio tags and used in electronic data interchange, for example in documents such as transport orders or invoices.
Based on identifiers and data carriers, it is possible to construct a number of solutions and services, such as: systemic cooperation of partners in supply chains from order to payment for services rendered, tracking the movement and origin of products (traceability), managing data on trade items, etc. Thanks to this, it is easier to achieve increased process efficiency and customer safety by enabling effective communication between the shipment sender and the logistics service provider.
GS1 identifiers for the TSL sector
Most GS1 identifiers can be used in the TSL sector, but three of them are of particular importance:
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SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code)
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GSIN (Global Shipment Identification Number)
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GINC (Global Identification Number for Consignment)
Serial Shipping Container Code – SSCC
The SSCC is a globally unique 18-digit number for a logistics unit. Logistics units are units created for transport and distribution purposes. The SSCC is the foundation for tracking the physical flow of logistics units and the associated flow of business information within a single company and between different enterprises throughout the supply chain. Using the SSCC number to identify individual logistics units facilitates cross-docking, shipment route tracking, automatic delivery acceptance, etc. The SSCC number is presented in the GS1-128 barcode using Application Identifier 00. An example of an encoded SSCC number is illustrated in Figure 2.
The article comes from the magazine “Logistyka” 1/2012.