A new framework for the management of returnable "containers" within open supply networks

New logistics models – physical internet, pooling, control towers, re-usable containers management – require an item-level traceability of physical shipping units that is independent of the partners involved in the supply chains. Current information systems architectures match this need by interfacing heter-ogeneous systems with each other. Such architecture can't meet the challenges brought by new and shared logistics models. We demonstrate here how the re-cent EPCglobal® standards and related technologies are settled in a multi-firm open network, applied to the management of reusable pallets, taken here as de-monstrators of Open Tracing Containers (OTC). Material and methods for cap-turing data and structuring information are proposed and implemented in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods flows. Results illustrate the reach of that "Intra-net of things" prototype, leading to interoperable logistic services, throughout various levels: from identifier tag level up to the piloting of each partner's lo-gistics networks. We highlight limits and perspectives in terms of technical track and trace solutions and assets management in this environment.