The physical position of a delivery service provider’s operational hubs, distribution centers, and vehicles at any given time is crucial to the logistics process. For example, a package might be tracked as being “at the Chicago sort facility,” indicating it is currently within the carrier’s regional processing center in that city. This location information updates as the item moves through the transportation network.
Knowing where a shipping entity and its assets are is fundamental to efficient supply chain management. It allows for accurate delivery estimations, proactive problem-solving when delays occur, and optimized route planning. Historically, this was achieved through manual tracking processes, but advancements in technology have enabled real-time visibility and control over shipments.