TW200500909A - Security system and processes for goods supply chain management - Google Patents

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for enhanced security of goods shipments and for secure supply chain management and control. A shipment information system (20) stores data about particular identifiable goods shipments, the system being capable of interrogation to retrieve and provide such data from different interrogation locations (21) and/or at different times in the shipment transit process. There is a secure premises (10) for preparation of shipments where data is collected and recorded concerning personnel identifications, personnel movements, personnel activities at the premises, and concerning goods movements and operations at the premises. An inspection operations section (15) is where multiple inspection operations are performed under supervision of a computer programmed inspection monitoring system (16), and data concerning the nature of the inspection processes and the results of the inspection processes are recorded. Also there is a section (25) for securing and certifying the shipment of goods at the secure premises (10) including physical securing processes and technological (electronic) securing processes to enable detection of any possible compromise to the security of the shipment. The shipment information system (20) records data concerning the securing and certifying processes. The shipment is monitored in transit after leaving the secure premises (10) by identifying the shipment, identifying the location of the shipment, and identifying the security condition of the shipment. The nature and security processes and operations performed on the goods shipment at the secure premises (10) and throughout subsequent handling and transit operations can be checked and verified in the shipment information system (20) including at the destination (40) of the shipment enabling certification of the level of security of that shipment and enabling security auditing and control.