GLS to offers real-time tracking in Germany and Austria

GLS is now enabling its customers to track their parcels in real-time in Germany and Austria. The service is planned to be rolled out at other European subsidiaries in the next phase.

The parcels company said it has equipped its delivery staff with bluebooth-enabled mobile phones for data exchange with their hand-held scanners. On delivery GLS collects the digital signature and scans the individual parcel ID. “The parcel data is transferred via bluetooth from the hand-held scanner to the mobile phone,” says Johannes Ruttinger, Chief Information Officer of GLS.

The delivery confirmation is then transmitted from the mobile phone directly into the GLS central tracking and tracing IT system. Customers can thus check their shipment status about 15 minutes after delivery. Up to now, the data was first transferred when the delivery van returned to the depot, meaning customers had to wait several hours for tracking availability.

Recipients not at home at the time of delivery can also check where their shipment has been held: at a neighbour’s, at a GLS parcel shop or back at the depot.

GLS said that the next step will be to extend real-time tracking to further European subsidiaries.