2. An overview of possible solutions

2.1 Paper-based traceability

Let's face it, managing traceability manually on paper is today the most common process, not to say reflex, in factories, particularly in France. We find internal logistics agents, passing through the line aisles to drop off the components needed to continue production, often writing identification numbers by hand on notebooks or binders. We also come across operators on assembly lines, at test or repair stations, entering numbers by hand. Sometimes, only the item number is entered.

Once the "traceability book" has been deployed on the line, a very human phenomenon occurs. At first, the forms are correctly filled in, the operator will have taken care to enter the serial or batch numbers (when tracking entire bins of components),...