Production traceability expertise
Learn how to define the data scope, select an identification medium, plan checkpoints and avoid gaps in product genealogy.
Go to the knowledge base →
Process traceability from the data source
A traceability system that explains the production history
We combine product identification, process parameters and inspection results into one clear record. Your production team can quickly determine what was made, which components were used, where it was processed and what the result was.
Data available when it is neededProduction, quality, maintenance and audit.
Experience gained in demanding production environments
PHINIA
Understand the process first. Then select the right system.
SystemTraceability combines implementation expertise with practical technology. Start by diagnosing the process challenge or by exploring the TraceSmart platform.
Platforma TraceSmart
A solution for collecting, linking and sharing production events, configured for the actual process flow, stations and plant requirements.
View product page →From a station signal to a business answer
The value does not come from scanning a code alone. It appears when an identifier is connected with the right event and process context.
IdentificationCode, RFID, serial number or batch label.
Event captureOperation, time, station and operator.
ValidationTest result and compliance with the process recipe.
GenealogyRelationship between the product, components and previous stages.
AnalysisReport, alarm, audit trail and decision.
Product history must answer specific questions
The goal is not to store as many signals as possible. A good traceability model retains the information needed to reconstruct product origin, process flow and the basis for a quality decision.
What was made and from what?
Serial number, batch, components, raw materials, carriers and parent–child product relationships.
How did production proceed?
Stations, operation sequence, execution time, operator, active recipe, tool and key process parameters.
Why was the product released?
Inspection results, measurements, OK or NOK status, interlocks, rework, quality decisions and the configuration version used during production.
One product historyinstead of scattered files and records.
Why do companies implement traceability?
A problem is solved faster when you know where it originated
Consistent data shortens root-cause analysis and narrows the required action. Instead of examining all production, the team works with specific identifiers, operations and results.
- faster identification of the source of a complaint or nonconformity,
- controlled product flow through required operations,
- documented process parameters and quality tests,
- data prepared for a customer or quality audit,
- controlled handling of rework, defects and process re-entry.
One objective, different industry requirements
The traceability scope should reflect process risk, customer requirements and production organisation—not the other way around.
Automotive
Component genealogy, serial numbers, operation sequence control, tester results and delivery documentation.
Food and packaging
Batch, raw-material and production-time identification with rapid recall-scope reduction.
Machining and equipment production
Tracking parts through cells and linking them with machining parameters, measurements and inspection status.
Electronics
Assembly control, component revisions, functional tests and repair history for each device.
Internal logistics
Linking material, container and order with the pickup point, transport and destination station.
Quality control
Central access to results, interlocks, quality releases and the complete decision trail.
What do we verify before designing the system architecture?
A pre-implementation analysis reduces the risk of incomplete data and later redesign. It covers both product flow and the capabilities of existing automation and IT infrastructure.
Product flow
Process variants, entry and exit points, rework, bypasses and decision points.
Identification
Marking durability, read method, serial-number availability and links to a batch or order.
Data sources
PLCs, sensors, testers, scanners, vision systems, station databases and available communication protocols.
Information users
Needs of operators, quality, maintenance, production management, auditors and MES/ERP systems.
Analysis output:event map, data scope, integration points, identification method, pilot priorities and expansion assumptions.
SystemSmart implementation expertise
The system is built where automation, IT and process meet
We design the data layer around real line constraints: machine cycle, controller communication, operator ergonomics, infrastructure availability and reporting requirements.
PLCprocess signal sources
RFIDcarrier and product identification
MES / ERPdata exchange with plant systems
24/7service support available by agreement
Selected experience
Traceability in real industrial processes
Each project began with a different challenge: component identification, production-flow control or automated marking recognition.
RFID · MES · ERP
Component identification for PHINIA
Industrial RFID identification linked with process flow and plant-system data exchange.
View case study → Production · product historyTraceability system for Tenneco
Production-data recording, operation control and access to an organised product history.
View case study → OCR · automationMarking recognition linked with the process
Automatic character recognition with the result stored as part of production history.
View case study →Implementation decisions explained in practical technical language
Resources that help organise requirements before speaking with an integrator and prepare the plant for a traceability project.
Traceability explained
What traceability really means and how it differs from ordinary production reporting.
Read the article →When is the system needed?
Signs that spreadsheets, manual records and distributed databases are no longer sufficient.
Go to the knowledge base →RFID, barcode or Data Matrix?
How to select an identifier for process conditions, durability requirements and product flow.
Coming soonFrequently asked questions about traceability systems
Does a traceability system require PLC replacement?
Not always. The integration scope depends on available data, communication protocols and the way the current automation operates. The first step should be a data-source audit.
Can traceability be implemented in stages?
Yes. We often start with a pilot product, one line or selected quality checkpoints, then expand the data model and further stations.
How is traceability different from MES?
Traceability focuses on product identification and its events. MES usually covers broader production execution management. The two solutions can complement each other and exchange data.
Which data should be retained?
The data needed to reconstruct the process and make a decision: identifier, time, station, operation result, components used and relevant quality parameters.
Can the system use existing codes and identifiers?
Yes, if the current marking is unique, available at the required process points and can link the product with operations and components. We verify this during the pre-implementation analysis.
Can traceability operate without MES?
Yes. A properly designed solution can have its own database, operator interface, product history, reporting and data-exchange mechanisms for other applications.
How long should product history be retained?
The retention period follows customer, industry and contractual requirements and the volume of generated information. Database and backup architecture should account for it from the start.
What determines traceability implementation cost?
It depends on the number of stations, data sources, identification devices, integrations with higher-level systems, required reports and the scope of on-site work.