Traceability is far more than just tracking goods. It is the fundamental ability to verify the entire history, location, or application of an item through documented identification.

In complex engineering and supply chain systems, traceability ensures integrity, safety, and compliance. It is the prerequisite for modern quality management, allowing us to pinpoint the source of a defect or contamination instantly.

For applications like Industry 4.0 and advanced manufacturing, robust digital traceability—often managed via blockchain or sophisticated databases—is critical for achieving genuine resilience and operational transparency. It transforms data into verifiable institutional knowledge.