To fortify domestic supply chains, the Biden Administration has created the White House Council on Supply Chain Resilience and is actively advocating for the deployment of digital technologies, emphasizing the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI). One of the goals of strengthening the U.S. supply chain is to increase the domestic manufacturing of medicines to lower costs for families and reduce risk. To do that, existing technology should be leveraged at a greater scale and the Administration should leverage private companies with a long history of logistics expertise.
For 33 years DeltaTrak has developed technology to improve all facets of the cold chain, which includes pharmaceuticals, produce, frozen food and chemicals. The company’s technology is revolutionizing the cold chain by ensuring the seamless monitoring and management of temperature-sensitive products throughout the entire logistics process, from production to delivery.
Comprehensive Supply Chain Traceability
At the heart of DeltaTrak's technology is the FlashTrak Global Chain of Custody (CoC) information management system, that provides end-to-end product traceability. This system includes sensors, processing hardware, and software designed to monitor and analyze the quality of perishable goods within the cold chain. By incorporating analytics, including AI and machine learning, this system enhances quality control, identifies issues in the supply chain, and ultimately improves efficiency.
Data Integration and Visibility
One of the ongoing challenges in supply chain management has been the issue of disparate systems. FlashTrak CoC addresses this by integrating commercial and IoT quality data into a single platform. It aggregates contributions from consortium partners to provide visibility into the supply chain and yield complete transparency. The insights gained by customers help predict product quality and prevent food or pharmaceutical loss. FlashTrak CoC also furnishes actionable data that enables customers to pinpoint all suppliers linked to a specific order and the corresponding shipment batches tied to those orders.
This complements the Administration’s emphasis on integrating industry expertise and data analytics through initiatives like the Supply Chain Mapping Tool and the Supply Chain Center, both aimed at enhancing visibility and creating a cohesive view of supply chain dynamics.
Regulatory Compliance and Sustainability
DeltaTrak's technology also aids in managing regulatory compliance documents and addresses sustainability concerns by monitoring the status of products in transit. This ensures supply chains meet essential standards and contribute to broader environmental goals, as seen in the quadrennial supply chain review and actions to strengthen critical supply chains.
The Quadrennial Supply Chain Review and DeltaTrak's Role
The Biden administration's quadrennial supply chain review supports the overall strategy of enhancing supply chains. DeltaTrak's technology contributes to this review by addressing a specific aspect of the supply chain—post-harvest monitoring and modeling in the perishable supply chain. This refers to the processes and techniques used to track, assess, and optimize the handling, storage, and distribution of perishable goods after they have been harvested or developed.
Supply Chain Mapping Tool and Supply Chain Center
The Department of Defense's Supply Chain Mapping Tool and the Department of Commerce's Supply Chain Center integrate industry expertise and data analytics and align with the focus on strengthening critical supply chains. DeltaTrak's technology complements these efforts by addressing a critical aspect of the supply chain—temperature management in the cold chain—to prevent issues such as food waste and safety concerns.
Reducing Waste and Improving Product Quality
Both White House initiatives and DeltaTrak's technology aim to minimize waste, enhance product quality, and extend shelf life in the supply chain. The synergy between government and private sector efforts, coupled with innovative technologies such as DeltaTrak's, underscores the necessity for a collaborative approach to building robust and efficient supply chains in the constantly changing landscape of domestic manufacturing.