DHL Global Mail implements Radio Frequency Identification technology for quality checks on international mail

DHL Global Mail, Deutsche Post World Net’s International Mail division, today announced that it is the first in the mail industry in Asia Pacific to implement Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) across multiple countries in the region. Based on an Automatic Mail Quality Measurement (AMQM) system, this effort is aimed at improving quality control checks for its mail logistics chain. The AMQM system, which has been installed in the mail terminals in Sydney, Hong Kong and Singapore, complements DHL Global Mail’s AMQM system in other regions. It is an enhanced service that provides greater visibility of the mailing process from the point when letters are posted to the last-mile delivery.

RFID tags based on the AMQM system will be utilized on selected international mail pieces between mail hubs, such as for example Frankfurt to Hong Kong, and between mail hubs and postal operators to regulate and enforce stringent quality control on the mail logistics chain to ensure mail pieces are delivered within the stipulated time frame to recipients. The data derived from the system will be used to optimize routing options for customers.

Key benefits for DHL Global Mail’s customers as a result of using RFID for quality checks focus mainly on increased reliability, transparency and improved service quality. As a result, customers will enjoy higher service quality for no additional costs.

The RFID technology uses devices attached to objects that transmit data wirelessly to a RFID receiver. It offers larger data storage capacity; read and write capability; and no line-of-sight requirement for both transponder and receiver – these are attributes that traditional bar-coding could not offer.

In addition to Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore, DHL Global Mail is planning to install the new technology in Japan in 2008.