Enhance Container Tracking with OCR Technology for Accurate and Efficient Logistics

The global shipping industry is essential to international commerce, with over 90% of commodities globally transported by sea. The capacity to accurately monitor and control the movement of these containers is essential for maintaining efficient supply chains. The manual input of container numbers, a critical component of this procedure, presents considerable challenges, such as human errors and inefficiencies.

This is where OCR technology plays an important role. OCR has emerged as a transformative instrument for automating container number entry, augmenting precision, and bolstering supply chain visibility. It is revolutionizing container tracking by substituting inefficient, error-prone manual processes, hence enhancing the speed, scalability, and efficiency of logistics operations.

The Challenge of Manual Container Number Entry

Manual entry of container numbers poses various issues that impede efficiency and accuracy in logistics operations, including human error and the difficulties associated with managing substantial volumes.

  • Human Error: Misreads, typos, and wrong entries can lead to data inaccuracies and delays.

  • Time-Consuming Process: Manual data entry is inefficient and slow, particularly when dealing with large volumes of containers.

  • Inconsistent Data Formats: Non-standardized entries can create confusion and require further verification.

  • Disruption in Supply Chain Visibility: The absence of real-time data can impede decision-making and result in supply chain disruptions.

  • Difficulty with Damaged or Illegible Labels: Container numbers may be challenging to interpret due to wear and tear and environmental factors leading to damaged or illegible labels.

How OCR Streamlines Container Number Entry

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Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology addresses these issues by automating the process of container number entry. OCR solutions can precisely scan and identify container numbers from printed photos or digital documents, greatly decreasing the likelihood of errors and enhancing productivity.

  • Automated Scanning and Recognition: OCR systems help accurately extract container numbers from diverse sources, such as digital images, printed labels, and video streams.

  • Integration with Cameras and Mobile Devices: OCR technology can be incorporated with cameras and mobile devices, facilitating real-time scanning and data entry in port settings.

  • Portable OCR Devices: The staff can utilize portable OCR devices to scan container numbers on location, facilitating instant data entry and minimizing the necessity for manual transcription.

Enhancing Supply Chain Visibility with OCR

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OCR technology significantly enhances supply chain visibility by facilitating accurate and fast container tracking.

  • Real-Time Data Capture: OCR technology offers real-time data acquisition, essential for sustaining supply chain transparency. Upon scanning and recognition of containers, their identifiers are promptly recorded in the system, offering stakeholders instant updates on container movements. This seamless interaction with tracking systems, shipment alerts, and supply chain management software guarantees that all parties are promptly notified of a container’s status.

  • Improved Traceability: The enhanced accuracy of data obtained by OCR considerably improves container traceability. The utilization of OCR technology enhances data accuracy, hence minimizing errors in shipment paperwork and container tracking. This enables logistics operators to more effectively monitor the movement of products, hence reducing the probability of missing or delayed shipments. Improved traceability allows carriers to deliver more precise Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) information to clients, hence enhancing customer satisfaction.

  • Scalability: OCR technology is remarkably scalable, rendering it appropriate for diverse logistics businesses, from small freight forwarders to large port operators. OCR systems can be customized at various operational scales, from the incorporation of cameras at container terminals to the utilization of handheld OCR devices for manual inspections. This adaptability facilitates effortless growth in response to growing business demands, guaranteeing that the system can accommodate rising container quantities without compromising efficiency.

Ports, freight forwarders, and transport providers all derive advantages from the scalability of OCR. Implementing OCR technology enables logistics companies to improve container management and effectively address the increasing needs of global shipping.

How Dynamsoft Label Recognizer SDK (DLR) Streamlines Container Number Entry and Boosts Supply Chain Visibility

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Dynamsoft Label Recognizer SDK utilizes OCR technology to accurately read alphanumeric characters and standard symbols from images with diverse backgrounds, fonts, and text sizes. Unlike conventional OCR systems, it effectively processes text that does not adhere to natural language conventions. It is an innovative tool that streamlines the entering of container numbers with sophisticated Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology.

DLR accurately identifies alphanumeric characters and conventional symbols, even under difficult situations, rendering it optimal for logistics and supply chain activities. It helps automate the data collection process, facilitating quicker and more accurate entry of container numbers, minimizing manual labor, and improving overall efficiency.

Key Features of Dynamsoft Label Recognizer SDK (DLR)

  • Accurate Recognition of Alphanumeric Characters and Standard Symbols: Leveraging its sophisticated algorithms, DLR accurately identifies container numbers from intricate backgrounds, guaranteeing reliable data acquisition even under low-light or compromised label circumstances.

  • Fast, On-Device Processing: DLR facilitates real-time data capture directly on mobile or handheld devices, thereby reducing dependence on network access and expediting the processing of container information.

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: It offers cross-platform compatibility, supporting Android, iOS, and Windows, hence ensuring versatility for deployment across diverse devices in port scenarios.

  • Exceptional Customizability: The SDK can be customized to meet particular logistics requirements, facilitating smooth integration into current operations and adaptation to various container recognition formats.

Customizable Solutions for Various Use Cases

Tailored for Logistics and Port Operations: Dynamsoft Label Recognizer is specially tailored for settings like ports and logistics hubs, where both speed and precision are essential. Its capacity to swiftly scan container numbers in real-world conditions makes it ideal for these applications.

Flexible Integration: DLR can be seamlessly incorporated into diverse systems, enabling logistics operators to tailor its functionalities to their particular operational needs, hence assuring scalability and adaptability across many platforms and processes.

Contact Dynamsoft Technical Support Team

Reach out to our support team to develop a tailored OCR solution that simplifies the entry of container numbers. Contact us today!