GLS system now provides delivery status in real-time
At GLS, seamless parcel tracking has been a matter of course for years. At each interface, i.e. every time a parcel reaches or leaves a depot or vehicle, the individual parcel number is recorded with a scanning device. These status reports are transmitted to the GLS IT system, where they are made available to customers – via the Internet or telephone. Up until now, however, delivery information was transmitted to the system in the evenings when the driver returned to the depot. This has now changed. As of September, parcel tracking at GLS is now possible in real-time.
Delivery data is transferred directly “on tour” from the delivery vehicle. When the parcel is handed over to the recipient, the GLS driver utilises a handheld scanner to record both the parcel number and the consignee’s signature. “The information is transmitted via Bluetooth from the hand scanner to the drivers’ mobile phones”, explains Johannes Ruttinger, Chief Information Officer at GLS. “Parcel information, such as the delivery receipt – including the signature – or parcel refusal, is fed into our IT system via the mobile phone.” About 15 minutes later, the customer can use the parcel number to look up the information on the Internet or telephone through to Customer Services for Track & Trace information.
Simple and fast access to information
“Since data transfer now occurs hours before the delivery driver returns to the depot, both the consignor and consignee can obtain information about the location of an individual parcel much more quickly”, says Ruttinger, explaining the improvement. This eliminates the necessity for calling GLS to inquire if a time-sensitive parcel has arrived, where internet access is available. Likewise, consignees who were unavailable to receive a parcel can now quickly find out by phone or Internet where their parcel is located.
GLS thoroughly – and successfully – tested the mobile data transfer service at one of its subsidiaries. Based on these results, it is now implemented comprehensively throughout the entire group.
