Project to Develop an Interoperable Seafood Traceability Technology Architecture: Issues Brief

Abstract

The Interoperable Seafood Traceability Technology Architecture Issues Brief reflects the growing need to establish a global, secure, interoperable support system for seafood traceability. Establishing effective traceability systems relies on the development of a cohesive and consistent approach to the delivery of information technology capabilities and functions. The ability of business to utilize traceability for commercial gain is heavily influenced by the supply chain in which they operate. The Issues Brief describes factors associated with enterprise-level traceability systems that will impact the design of technology architecture suited to enabling whole chain interoperable traceability. The Brief details why a technology architecture is required, what it means for industry in terms of benefits and opportunities, and how the architecture will translate into practical results. The current situation of many heterogeneous proprietary systems prevents global interoperable traceability from occurring. Utilizing primary research and lessons learned from other industries, the Brief details how the present situation can be addressed. This will enable computerized information systems to communicate syntactically by sharing standardized packages of data. The subsequent stage, semantic interoperability, is achieved by establishing a common language (ontology). The report concludes with a series of recommendations that industry can act upon to design a technology architecture suited to enabling effective global interoperable traceability.Keywords: architecture, chain, interoperability, seafood, semantic, supply, syntactic, technology, traceability, value Executive SummaryThe ability of businesses to proactively manage risks, reduce costs, and increase revenue rests on the effective sharing of information. Verifying the accuracy and rigor of data exchanged within and between businesses for the purposes of traceability rests on the existence of effective interoperable information systems. Effective interoperability relies on sharing a common technology architecture, in other words a common blueprint or framework, among the systems utilized by businesses operating along a value chain.The purpose of this Issues Brief is to support the Interoperable Seafood Traceability Technology Architecture Project being led by the Institute of Food Technologists Global Food Traceability Center. The project stems from a growing realization that a need MS 20151924 Submitted 19/11/2015, Accepted 8/12/2015 exists to establish a global, secure, interoperable support system for seafood traceability. Establishing an effective global traceability systems relies on the development of a cohesive and consistent approach to the delivery of information technology capabilities and functions. Information technology architecture describes the process of achieving this through the methodical development of a common and coherent series of specifications, models, guidelines, and concepts.Technology architectures are developed through engaging in...

The Expanding Role of Traceability in Seafood: Tools and Key Initiatives

“…Best practice for seafood traceability is electronic data transmission from point of harvest to consumer via interoperable software (Badia‐Melisa and others ; Bhatt and others ). Increasingly, companies are eschewing paper documents, and are instead using computer hardware and software to help them capture and share data as seafood moves throughout complex and globalized supply chains.…”

“…The GFTC is comprised of experts in both traceability “rollout,” as well as the strategy and execution of building industry‐wide training and standards dissemination. GFTC's website includes numerous traceability resources relevant to seafood businesses, such as the “Impacts of Traceability on Business Performance,” “Seafood Consumer Preference Tool,” “Seafood Traceability Financial Tool,” and an issues brief on “Interoperable Seafood Traceability Technology Architecture,” among others (GFTC , b; Sterling and others ; Bhatt and others ; GFTC ).…”

Rollout Strategy to Implement Interoperable Traceability in the Seafood Industry

“…The proposed governance arrangement shown in Figure reflects findings described in the prior articles contained in this Supplement on interoperable traceability and other research (for example, Sterling and others ; Bhatt and others ). The Leadership Council and its Executive Committee would provide strategic direction and oversight; the Working Group would have responsibility for implementing the strategy and reporting progress to the Council and funding bodies.…”

“…Other system‐wide issues stemming in part from the extent to which the seafood industry does not emotionally connect with interoperable traceability (and traceability per se ) include a lack of knowledge and informed perspectives towards the need, purpose and benefits of traceability from competitiveness and profitability perspectives (Sterling and others ; Bhatt and others ). Lack of knowledge towards a topic leads individuals to view alternatives from a dualism versus duality perspective (Ison and Russell ; Gooch ).…”

Implementing Interoperability in the Seafood Industry: Learning from Experiences in Other Sectors

“…Since traceability is just one function of ICT, the principles will also pertain to enabling effective, efficient interoperable ICT between computerized ICT systems per se. For a detailed review of factors impacting the design of a technology architecture suited to enabling interoperable traceability in seafood, refer to Project to Develop an Interoperable Seafood Traceability Technology Architecture : Issues Brief by Bhatt and others ().…”