DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ONLINE REAL-TIME PARCEL TRACKING AND MONITORING SYSTEM

DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ONLINE REAL-TIME PARCEL TRACKING AND MONITORING SYSTEM

INTRODUCTION TO CHAPTER ONE

When we were kids playing hide and seek, there seemed to be an infinite number of places where we might hide and never be found. Hiding is becoming increasingly difficult as technology shrinks the world. Cameras monitor us at red lights, at work, at stores, and even at home. These cameras are now being supplemented by new technology that track our cars, cell phones, and perhaps any goods we purchase. This location-tracking technology is also being used by organizations to simplify supply chains in order to get products to market faster, as well as to monitor assets and minimize inventory loss. Given the remarkable growth of the transportation business and the trend of information technology in providing first-rate service to customers at a low cost. The goal of this project is to create an online and real-time transit parcel monitoring system for NIPOST clients. The existing system is how the system is now operated, which is the manual method of tracking customer parcels or freight. Because the current system is done manually, we must critically examine and analyze its modes of functioning. The usage of paper forms, such as the bill of loaded form, was established to track the movement of freight and the ship or any carrier that transported it. The bill of lading is the most crucial of all the required forms. The shipper transmits the bill of lading to the importer ahead of the ship. The importer takes the bill of lading to the NPA (Nigerian Port Authority) headquarters office for information on the ship and its dock location. The importer or its agent fills out the bill of lading, which is then cross-checked and compared to the ship’s manifest. After validating the accuracy of the consignee’s paperwork, a blank form known as the delivery order is handed to the importer. The consignee or its agent completes and returns the delivery order to the shipping business, and the delivery order is subsequently sent to the Nigeria Port Authority’s marketing department. Following that, the marketing department raises all necessary bills in accordance with port regulations and payment terms, and the customer proceeds to the bank for payment; the documents are then transferred to the transit shed or delivery point, and the consignee proceeds to the appropriate shed or delivery point. Following cargo loading, a cargo pass is issued to the consignee or his agent, who proceeds to the Nigeria Port Authority gate for security inspections and final exit. In the previous NIPOST corporate service system, once a parcel or freight is dispatched by the client, the client has no method of knowing the whereabouts of that item until it arrives at the destination and an acknowledgment message is sent from the receiver of the parcel that it has been delivered. This strategy causes numerous issues for both NIPOST clients and the firm itself. Even the firm wishes to feed the customer back, but because there are no methods of doing so, both are unable to do so, and everything is at the risk of the parcel’s owner.

1.1 THE STUDY’S BACKGROUND

Location-tracking technology is also being used by organizations to optimize supply chains in order to get products to market faster, as well as to monitor assets and minimize inventory loss. The fastest way to find out where your shipment is is to use NIPOST’s online tracking. There’s no need to call customer care when we can provide you with real-time updates on the progress of your package as it travels through the NIPOST Network to its destination. Companies will soon be able to track your location as well. Consider walking through your local supermarket and receiving an electronic coupon for your favorite cereal as you pass through the aisle.

1.2 THE PROBLEM’S STATEMENT

The current rate at which clients call tracking agents and visit the NIPOST office to confirm the status of parcels dispatched through the NIPOST service channel is far too high. owing to insufficient methods of connection with the company while on the road, the NIPOST agent may not always be able to say whether the parcel has been delivered or not, and it is also more prone to error owing to data loss. The previous method requires manual data entry and validation; the system uses the data entered as the basis for the tutorial schedule, while all papers provided to clients are generated from the data collected and the result of processed data for use. This method is frequently associated with high amounts of manual processing, limited tracking visibility, and (at least perceived) poor customer service. A reliable chain-of-custody proof-of-delivery (POD) solution is becoming increasingly critical in day-to-day operations.

1.3 STUDY PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

1.3.1 AIM

Given the remarkable growth of the transportation business and the trend of information technology in providing first-rate service to customers at a low cost. The goal of this project is to create an online and real-time transit parcel monitoring system for NIPOST clients. The following goals have been established:

OBJECTIVES 1.3.2

1. To give the client with the quickest and most dependable service possible at all times and on all days using mobile technologies.

2. To demonstrate a self-monitoring environment for the client’s parcel or freight while it is in transit.

3. To ensure effective processing and dissemination of critical shipping information in order to expedite vessel turnaround.

4. To give self-management and unwavering security in tracking client shipments in transit.

5. Ensure effective port operations management, as well as optimal resource allocation and utilization.

1.4 THE IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY

In carrying out the study’s objectives, the advantages of an E-tracking system over the existing method, i.e. the manual technique of registering and monitoring the movement of freight or any parcel, will be highlighted. Users would be able to track and access resources digitally rather than hauling books, journals, periodicals, and other paper papers, which could result in quick wear and tear. Furthermore, it will allow users to view the current status and location of their items or shipment. The proposed system will ensure security by allowing each ship and parcel carrier in transit to be tracked. The solution will also reduce some of the routine manual labour that was common in the manual tracking system.

1.5 THE STUDY’S OBJECTIVE

The scope of this research will be confined to the provision of NIPOST tracking information for tracking of client’s freight and parcels in transit as given by NIPOST agents.

1.6 RESEARCH LIMITATIONS

Several issues arose during the course of writing this project. Among these issues are:

1. Difficulties encountered in acquiring the required information.

2. One of the biggest issues encountered was a financial concern. Every material required requires money, such as browsing to gather information.

3. Inconsistent power supply, both at school and at home, hampered this project’s progress in a variety of ways.

4. The lack of a mail server hampered the response management system, which was solely simulated in this project effort.

5. Additionally, the time provided for project completion was insufficient because learning the programming tool utilized for the project takes time.

6. Despite these limits, the design and writing of a well-documented project was completed.

1.7 TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. Tracking: Tracking is the process of automatically locating a point or series of points in a sequence from frame to frame.

2. Cargo: Items transported by ship or plane.

3. Information: This is a set of facts or data.

4. Parcel: Items packed in a package for posting or carrying.

5. E-Tracking: Online tracking is the process of automatically locating a point or series of points from frame to frame.

6. Transit: The act of going, conveying, or being transferred, especially over a long distance.

POD stands for proof of delivery.

8th. NIPOST: NIPOST. 9. TDX: Excellent Tracking Dog.

10. P.S.F.C. : Client sent parcel.

11. P.U.S. : Parcel status update.

12. P.C. : Parcel has been cleared for dispatch.

P.R.S. : Parcel report status.

14. T.R.F.C. : Track client request.

15. P.E.R.F. NIPOST: NIPOST parcel entry registration.

16. P.U.F.DISP: Parecl dispatcher update.