The Detailed Steps of Tracking in Logistics

DB Schenker is one of the leading logistics service providers in the world. All processes are synchronized and workflows are precisely planned. Tracking has become a key component of modern logistics, giving customers and logistics providers visibility of a shipment.

For customers, tracking means greater security and transparency, as they can always see the status of their shipment at any time. It reduces uncertainty and strengthens trust in the logistics service provider. At the same time, it helps logistics companies to organize their processes more efficiently, as delays can be detected at an early stage thanks to precise location tracking and automated status updates.

To understand the importance of tracking in logistics for customers and suppliers, let's take a look behind the scenes, starting with a simple example: a pallet of shoes on its way to a customer.  

The Look behind the Tracking Process at DB Schenker

It all starts when a customer places an order – in this case, a pallet of shoes to be transported from Frankfurt, Germany to Madrid, Spain. 

The journey of the pallet of shoes begins at the manufacturer's or retailer's distribution center in Frankfurt. This is where the goods are prepared for transport and made available for collection. The first transport then takes place to the inbound terminal, a logistics center near Frankfurt. Here, the pallet is quality-checked, sorted, and if needed, consolidated with other consignments for more efficient transport.

The order is assembled in the warehouse, then packed and labeled with a unique barcode. This barcode is scanned at every checkpoint along the way, enabling full traceability throughout the shipment’s journey.  
Once it has been scanned, the shipment is entered into the system of DB Schenker. From this point forward, tracking plays a crucial role. It helps to minimize the loss or theft of shipments, as every step in the supply chain is documented. Business customers benefit from seamless shipment tracking, as it enables them to better plan their stock levels and avoid delivery bottlenecks. Tracking not only improves customer service, but also enhances the efficiency of the entire supply chain.

Booked - The Start with the Sender 

The pallet of shoes is now booked and receives the status 'Booked'. At this point, the tracking process starts and the shipment appears in the DB Schenker tracking system. By confirming the shipment, the customer receives the booking information.

Collected - Collection by the Shipping Service Provider

The pallet with shoes is now collected from the sender and officially handed over to the delivery network. After completion of the preparations, the pallet leaves the terminal and starts its main journey.
The status changes to ‘Collected’, meaning that the shipment is now actively on its way to its destination.

Arrived - At the Outbound Terminal

The shoes now arrive at the outbound terminal in Ilsfeld, Germany. This is a logistics center where goods are prepared for onward transport, e.g., to the inbound terminal or end destination, sorted, and consolidated before being dispatched to their destination. Here the goods are unloaded, and a final check is carried out. The unique barcode is scanned, and everything is prepared for onward transport to ensure efficient and timely delivery.
The status “Arrived” confirms that the shipment has safely reached the terminal and will soon move forward. 

Departed - Onward Transport to the Next Station 

Once the shipment has been processed, it is loaded onto a DB Schenker truck for line haul. Now the barcode will be scanned again. The status ‘Departed’ means that it’s on its way to the next station, which is geographically closer to the recipient.

Arrived - Second Stop before Delivery 

The shoe pallet now reaches the inbound terminal in Spain, which is located near the recipient. The inbound terminal is a logistics center where incoming goods are received, checked, and prepared for further processing or onward transport. Consignments are sorted one last time, consolidated, and scanned. If necessary, they are stored temporarily before being sent to a warehouse, production site, or other distribution center.
The new status message ‘Arrived’ shows that it is almost at its destination.

Out for Delivery – The Last Mile 

The shipment is now loaded into the DB Schenker delivery truck. ‘Out for Delivery’ means that the driver will take it to the recipient's address later in the day. This stage can vary as traffic conditions or other unforeseen circumstances can delay delivery. Thanks to the tracking process, the customer is always kept up to date.

Delivered - Arrived at last 

The final stage of the journey is handled by a local distribution truck, which takes the pallet to its final destination in Madrid, be it a retail shop, a warehouse, or another distribution center. As this is a transport within the EU, there is no need for customs clearance, so the whole process runs smoothly.

The tracking system monitors the pallet throughout the entire route so that up-to-date location and delivery information is always available.  The status changes to ‘Delivered’ and a report is generated, including an electronic proof of delivery and environmental report.

Scanned, Tracked and Delivered

The pallet of shoes arrives at the customer's safely and on time. Thanks to tracking, the customer was always informed and knew where his shipment was at any given time. 
A Proof of Delivery (POD) is issued at the time of delivery, confirming that the shipment has successfully reached its destination.

The ability to track the location of a shipment at any time not only increases customer satisfaction but also enables companies to organize their supply chains more efficiently. If a delivery is delayed or lost, the company can react quickly, finding alternatives and informing the customer promptly.
Advanced technologies such as GPS, RFID, and IoT ensure increasingly precise shipment tracking and enable better control over logistics processes. Additionally, the Information on Delivery (IOD) is often exchanged during transit, providing real-time shipment status updates before final delivery.

A reliable tracking system can help with the early identification of bottlenecks and optimization of supply chains, despite challenges such as data delays or unexpected disruptions.

In the future, tracking will become even smarter and more personalized, allowing customers not only to know where their shipment is, but also to influence the exact delivery time. Transparency and efficiency will continue to increase in order to meet the requirements of the digital age.

This shows that tracking is not just a service for customers from DB Schenker, but an essential part of modern logistics.