Specialist software house Woodstar has found that the automated Load-Builder element of its PackStar system meets all the requirements of Tesco’s new tracking system but without the hassle.

Director Andy Crokey said: “Tesco is rolling out its new tracking system to all its suppliers. Within this system, suppliers are expected to create advanced shipping notes (ASNs) and serial shipping container code (SSCC) information, which basically means electronic goods tracking.

“To achieve this Tesco provides a web-based data input facility, but suppliers are finding that this is proving very time-consuming to use.

“Within our PackStar system we have created a module that automates this process by seamlessly linking and updating Tesco’s system with our own. Our customers have found this to be a major benefit to them in time and cost savings.”

Tesco's aim is to use tracking to eliminate shortages and over-supply as well as automate some of the supply-chain process. Crokey has found that his company’s Load-Builder software links directly with Tesco’s via its dedicated electronic data interchange facilitators. This means that as a lorry is loaded, the ASNs and SSCCs are generated and once the loads are confirmed, data is transferred live. As a result, Tesco knows in advance exactly what will be arriving at its hub.

Crokey said: “We already have two of our clients using our Load-Builder module - Southern England Farms in Cornwall being the latest to benefit from it.

“We believe that this will be of great benefit to all Tesco suppliers and can only prove beneficial, especially in the current financial climate.”

As well as PackStar for packhouse solutions, Woodstar’s portfolio includes Harvest Manager, a system that provides growers with full human resources facilities that link the farm and the packhouse to ensure total supply chain traceability.