DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ONLINE REAL-TIME PARCEL TRACKING AND MONITORING SYSTEM
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DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ONLINE REAL-TIME PARCEL TRACKING AND MONITORING SYSTEM
Chapter 1: Designing and Implementing an Online Real-Time Parcel Tracking and Monitoring System (1.0 Introduction)
As children playing hide & seek, there seemed to be so many areas where we might hide and never be discovered. As technology shrinks the world, hiding becomes more difficult.
Cameras monitor us at red lights, in the workplace, at stores, and even at home. Now, those cameras are being supplemented with new technologies that follow our cars, cell phones, and potentially any goods we purchase.
This location-tracking technology is also being used to simplify supply chains for organisations that want to get items to market faster, as well as to monitor assets and minimise inventory loss.
In light of the amazing rise in the transportation business and the trend of information technology in providing first-class service to customers at a low cost. This project aims to establish an online and real-time transit parcel monitoring system for NIPOST clients.
The existing system is how the system is operated, which is by manually monitoring client parcels or goods. Because the current system is done manually, we must carefully consider and analyse its modes of functioning.
The use of paper forms, such as the bill of lading form, was established to track the movement of goods and the ship or carrier that transported it. The bill of lading form is the most crucial of all the required documents.
The shipper transmits the bill of lading to the importer before the ship arrives. The importer takes the bill of lading to the NPA (Nigerian Port Authority) headquarters office to obtain information about the ship and its berth.
The importer or its agent completes the bill of lading, which is then cross-checked and compared to the ship manifest. After validating the accuracy of the consignee’s paperwork, the importer receives a blank form known as the delivery order.
The consignee or its agent completes the delivery order and returns it to the shipping firm, after which it is delivered to the Nigeria Port Authority’s marketing department.
Following that, the marketing department generates all necessary bills in accordance with port regulations and payment terms; the customer goes to the bank to pay; the documents are then transferred to the transit shed or delivery point; and the consignee goes to the appropriate shed or delivery point.
Following loading, a cargo pass is handed to the consignee or his agent, who go to the Nigeria Port Authority gate for security inspections and final exit.
In the previous NIPOST corporate service system, once a parcel or goods is sent by the client, the client has no idea where it is until it arrives at its destination and an acknowledgment message is issued from the parcel’s recipient indicating that it has been delivered.
This strategy causes significant problems for both NIPOST clients and the firm itself. Even the company wishes to provide feedback to the client, but because there are no methods to do so, both are immobilised, and everything is at the risk of the parcel’s owner.
1.1 Background of Study
Location-tracking technology is also being used to simplify supply chains for firms that want to get items to market faster, as well as to monitor assets and prevent inventory losses.
NIPOST’s online tracking is the most efficient way to find out where your shipment is. There’s no need to call customer care when we can provide you with real-time updates on your shipment’s progress as it travels through the NIPOST Network to its destination.
Soon, companies will be able to track your location. Imagine walking through your local supermarket and receiving an electronic coupon for your favourite cereal on your phone as you pass through the aisle.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The current rate at which clients call tracking agents, as well as the rate at which clients visit the NIPOST office to confirm the status of the parcel they sent via the NIPOST service channel, is too high.
At times, the NIPOST agent may be unable to determine whether or not the parcel has been delivered due to insufficient methods of communication with the company while on the journey, and it is also more prone to error due to data loss.
The previous system’s data entry and validation are done manually; the system uses the data entered as the basis for the instructional schedule, and all papers delivered to clients are generated from the data collected and the results of processed data for usage.
This method is frequently associated with a high level of manual processing, limited tracking visibility, and subpar customer service (at least perceived). An effective chain-of-custody proof-of-delivery (POD) solution is becoming increasingly vital in daily operations.
1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study
1.3.1 AIM
In light of the amazing rise in the transportation business and the trend of information technology in providing first-class service to customers at a low cost. This project aims to establish an online and real-time transit parcel monitoring system for NIPOST clients. The following objectives:
1.3.2 Objectives
To give the client with the fastest and most dependable service at all times and on all days using mobile technologies.
To establish a self-monitoring environment for the client’s parcel or goods in transit.
To ensure that important shipping information is properly processed and disseminated for a timely vessel turnaround.
To give self-management and uncompromising security in monitoring client’s shipments in transit
To guarantee that port operations are managed efficiently, resources are allocated and used optimally.
1.4 Significance of the Study
In carrying out the study’s objectives, the benefits of an E-tracking system over the existing system, i.e. the manual method of registering and monitoring the movement of goods or any item.
Users would be able to track/access resources digitally rather than hauling books, journals, periodicals, etc., which could result in quick wear and tear of paper materials. Additionally, it will allow users to view the current status and location of their products or delivery.
The suggested system will ensure security by tracking the movements of each ship and parcel carrier in route. The technology will also eliminate some of the routine manual effort that is common in manual tracking systems.
1.5 Scope of the Study
The scope of this research will be limited to the provision of NIPOST tracking information for tracking client goods and parcels in transit as given by NIPOST agents.
1.6 Limitations of the Study
Some issues arose over the course of writing this project. These problems include difficulties encountered with gathering the relevant information.
One of the most serious issues was a financial one. Every item requires money, such as browsing to find information.
Erratic power supplies, both at school and at home, hampered this project’s progress in a variety ways.
The lack of availability of a mail server also hampered the response management system, which was solely simulated in this project.
Also, the time provided for project completion was insufficient because it takes time to understand the programming tool utilised for the project.
Despite all of these constraints, the design and writing of a well-documented project were completed.
1.7 Definition of Terms.
Tracking is the process of automatically locating a point or collection of points from one frame to the next in a sequence.
Cargo: Goods transported by ship or plane.
Information refers to a collection of facts or data.
Parcel: Goods packed in a package for posting or carrying.
E-tracking is the method of automatically locating a point or series of points from one frame to the next in an online sequence.
Transit: To travel, convey, or be conveyed, particularly over a long distance.
POD: Proof of Delivery.
NIPOST: NIPOST. TDX: Tracking Dog Excellent.
S.F.C: Parcel sent by the client.
United States: Parcel status update.
C: Parcel has been cleared for dispatch.
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