The technologies available for monitoring the condition and position of products includes the old as well as the new. From ASN to RFID and GPS, with radio delivery of updates to dispatch centers and distribution centers, the selection of options continues to expand. And the options within each technology vary with the vendor supplying it.

The common thread between these is the product itself and the data that is contained in the transmission about the item. Even though the data may differ between EDI specs, XML, or proprietary formats, the need for the information in a timely or even real-time manner can make a difference in the ability to use the information to manage delivery or recovery from non-delivery.

Regardless of the information, and precisely because of the different versions of the information, it's necessary to have a common platform that can collect, assimilate, translate, and provide real time information to those entities responsible for making the process work.

I would be interested in hearing specifics about how these processes are managed within your enterprise and within your own supply chain. What tools are being used, and are they adequate to the task? Leave your comments here, and look for a survey tomorrow.