TNT Logistics North America, a leading provider of supply chain logistics services, has been recognized as a Laureate by the Computerworld Honors Program.

For almost two decades, Computerworld Honors has acknowledged those individuals and organizations that have used information technology to benefit society.
Each year, members of the Chairmen's Committee identify the organizations whose use of information technology has been especially noteworthy for the originality of its conception, the breadth of its vision and the significance of its benefit to society.
TNT was recognized for its work in RFID technology as part of its logistics solution offered to automotive manufacturers. Its automotive RFID initiative was launched in 2005 at the Material Sequencing Center (MSC)
operated by TNT in support of Ford Motor Co.’s Dearborn, Mich. Truck assembly plant. The MSC delivers small lot, sequencing and metered parts to line-side at the plant.
As part of the initiative, RFID tags and a network of wireless locating sensors were set up to provide real-time location and status information for thousands of mobile racks shared between the plant and TNT’s facility.
Devices located at dock doors at the MSC trigger the RFID tag to emit a signal when a rack full of parts is loaded onto a truck bound for the plant. Through this automatic data collection process, the system confirms that the load has been built, and validates that it is in ready-to-ship status. The system can even trigger an advanced shipping notice so that
the factory knows what material is en route.
Additional steps in the initiative include automated gate arrival, load and unload rack validation, rack traceability and real-time location system (RTLS) alerts to improve communications between the MSC and the assembly plant. These business events will be fulfilled using complex event processing and real-time visibility software to help prevent interruptions and manual interventions in the automotive supply chain.