GLS invests 20 million euros in scan technology

From October 2005 onwards, General Logistics Systems B.V., Amsterdam (GLS), is introducing approximately 18,000 new mobile terminals with scan function and 5,000 scan stations throughout Europe. “In cooperation with IBM and Symbol Technologies we have developed a special technology that offers customers advantages for parcel and express shipments that are unique in the market”, says Rico Back, CEO of General Logistics Systems B.V., Amsterdam (GLS). The technology will be introduced gradually. GLS is investing approximately 20 million euros.

Shipment tracking begins with the barcode label. “Since 2002, GLS has already been sending parcels in the whole of Europe with a standardised router label and without any re-labelling“, explains Johannes Ruttinger, Managing Director of GLS IT Services. Now the label is being extended. From the end of 2006 onwards, information on both the product and the services will also be an integral part of the barcode. The specified barcode will then be introduced to the customer systems and will make shipment handling – e.g. via the GLS Box – easier.

Delivery tracking is being revolutionised

GLS is now starting with the gradual introduction of new mobile terminals and scan stations throughout Europe. The new robust MC3090 series Symbol terminals, have, in addition to a scan function, a wireless LAN connection (WLAN), colour screens as well as a high-resolution camera (2D imager), that digital image information can be recorded with. And: the batteries of the devices allow very long operating times. The region and postcode system for the whole of Europe is integrated into the new scan stations. They are operating significantly faster than the existing systems and will be used as stationary equipment in depots and at transhipment points.

Thanks to the wireless connection to the satellite-supported GPRS system, it will be possible in future to transfer all of the information online and in real time via radio data transmission. Mobile terminals, scan stations and GLS delivery vehicles are all linked to the system.

“However, the revolution in shipment tracking is not the hardware, but the software developed by GLS, which facilitates the interaction of all components“, explains Ruttinger. It is developed by GLS IT Services and is designed to give GLS flexibility when selecting hardware suppliers.

Lots of advantages for the customer

“While other companies are currently still introducing the digital signature for recipients, we are already able to offer our customers a full range of additional information – online and in real time“, says Back. “In addition to the proven recipient signature, company stamps or recipient addresses can now also be recorded and documented.“

The next steps planned by GLS: in future, customers should be able to redirect their consignments online and receive important information on shipments via SMS. In addition, scanner-integrated navigation systems are planned to optimise the delivery tours of the vehicles and to open up the possibility of making on call pickups.

Opening up new business segments

GLS will have completed the introduction of the new scan technology throughout Europe by the end of 2008. In this way, the company can assert its market-leading position regarding parcel tracking and safe shipment delivery throughout Europe.

“In the context of our 5 year plan, we will not only optimise our standard parcel services by 2010, but also establish an efficient express network in the whole of Europe and make high-quality delivery to private households possible“, says Back. “With the new scan technology we are laying the foundations for the development of new business segments.”

Quality delivered by GLS

General Logistics Systems B.V., Amsterdam (GLS), is a Pan-European company providing reliable, high-quality parcel and express services as well as value-added logistics solutions. The company offers its services through wholly owned and partner companies in 34 European states. The GLS system consists of 29 central transhipment points, 667 depots and 14,500 people. Some 17,700 vehicles are on route moving 280 million parcels annually for 220,000 customers throughout Europe. In the financial year 2004/2005, GLS achieved revenues of 1.34 billion euros. GLS stands for “European Leader in Quality“. This is something that everyone working for GLS strives to achieve every day.