Broadband brings track and trace to Palletways customers
By setting up broadband Internet connections at its 90-odd member companies, pallet delivery network Palletways says it has been able to launch the first real-time consignment tracking service in its sector.
The service is mediated by EasyNet, which is providing a hosting facility on two Internet servers at its Manchester processing centre. This allows Palletways customers to access data about their consignments directly over the Internet.
They will also be able to call up a scanned image of the proof of delivery document via the Web site on the day following delivery of the goods.
Not only can the service provide live information on current freight movements; it will also offer users historical information online about past traffic movements, as well as archived POD documents.
According to Paul Heaney, Palletways’ IT director, the company sees IT as a major market differentiator in his industry. Previously, he explains, customers had to contact their local Palletways network member to obtain information about the status of consignment. The new system reduces any impression that users are dealing with a group of individual businesses by simplifying and standardising the way information is accessed.
A further benefit of broadband access for the company is that it will now be able to distribute software upgrades quickly and easily to member-companies over the Internet.
