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The logistics industry has experienced massive transformation over the years. In the course of the industry’s evolution, various technologies have been adopted to enhance the way freight is handled and increase the customer’s confidence. QR codes are one of the popular applications being adopted by most shipping and trucking companies today. QR codes are created in the form of 2 dimensional black and white squares, which can be easily read online by relevant machines.
Compared to barcodes, QR codes have the ability to hold more data and are also easier to use. These are some of the reasons they have gained so much popularity in the shipping industry. Although most people are just learning about QR codes, they have been used for decades in countries like Japan, where the trademark ‘’QR’’ is registered. There are various ways that QR codes have been applied in the shipping industry. The following are the key roles that QR codes have played in the logistics industry.
Applications of QR Codes in Logistics
- Inventory Management
Traditional inventory management was time-consuming and very challenging. Those in charge of inventory had to be physically present in order to confirm check-ins and outs. With the introduction of QR codes, the stickers can simply be placed on trucks and equipment for easier communication between operators and inventory managers at their convenience.
Through an application, managers can keep track of their cargo and equipment in real time. It has ensured that shippers can tell the exact location of check in or check out of pieces, who logged in the shipment, and timestamp the QR codes.
- Cargo Tracking
QR codes have also enabled shippers and their customers to prevent numerous cases of cargo damage and loss. In the past, operations experts had to make several calls to their workers and clients in order to be sure that cargo was safely dispatched and delivered within the expected deadlines. QR codes have helped solve this challenge since they can be placed on packages to provide information at every stage of the shipping process.
Using QR codes alongside other new technology advancements such as Geo-tagging and GPS allows for logistics software to accurately track when and where packages are handed off.
According to experts, there is still greater potential for QR codes in shipping and we should expect more ground-breaking inventions in the coming years.
