The ARA’s Rail Industry Executive Committee (RIEC) held its first meeting of 2024 in Melbourne this week to close out its 2020-23 strategy and hold a brainstorming session to identify the priority areas for its 2024-2026 strategy. RIEC also discussed an engagement strategy to improve two-way communication with broader ARA supplier membership.

The Committee also undertook a site tour of the Siemens Port Melbourne facility to see the benefits of Project i-TRACE in action and learn about Siemens’ local manufacturing capabilities servicing both the Australian and export markets.

The implementation of barcoding and Project iTRACE has provided Siemens with several internal efficiencies. While Siemens globally is rolling out GS1 barcoding and master data projects, their local business is reviewing further improvements by implementing iTRACE with some of their key local Australian upstream suppliers.

Siemens has assigned part and component identification to all their stock and transacted items. The identifier is called a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN), which is a unique GS1 identification number and encodes company details such as geographical location. The GTIN is contained in a DataMatrix that contains additional data such as serial numbers and manufacturing batches.

Siemens uses a variety of barcode part marking technologies depending on the manufactured item size, how it is used and where it may be installed. Siemens reviewed a variety of barcode label materials and selected a robust material that is weather resistant and durable once installed. For larger assets, Siemens is using laser etching technology, which provides field-based workers with the ability to scan a barcode and download safety, installation and service manuals.

Siemens has also participated in two master data pilots, sharing material master data on the National Product Catalogue (NPC) with Sydney Trains and Queensland Rail. Standards based material master data is critical to the harmonisation of identification, purchasing and type approval traceability processes.

For more information, please contact Natalie Currey, ARA General Manager – Supply Chain and Diversity.