DPD’s Predict service upgraded and rolled out to all UK customers

As the latest upgrade to DPD’s Predict service is rolled out to all UK businesses and retailers, the company’s CEO Dwain McDonald has outlined the significance of real-time communication in driving-up future ‘right first time’ parcel delivery rates. DPD’s unique Predict service notifies recipients of a one hour delivery slot via text or email and then allows them to watch the progress of their DPD driver on his round, with a real-time countdown to their own delivery and an accurate 15 minute delivery slot, so that they know exactly when to expect their parcel.

The new upgrade will see all recipients receive a notification of their delivery the evening before with five ‘in-flight’ delivery options. In addition to ‘Change Delivery Day’ and ‘Deliver to Neighbour’ customers will now be able to access three new options; ‘Deliver to a Safe Place’, ‘Collect From Nearest Depot’ and ‘Upgrade My Delivery.’ These can be accessed via a smartphone, tablet or desktop at any point during the delivery if the customer can’t be at home on the day to accept their parcel.

Dwain McDonald, DPD’s CEO said; “These are really significant enhancements. We know that the more we can communicate in real-time with recipients, the more we can ensure a safe and secure first time delivery. Our aim with these latest improvements is to double the response rate from recipients by increasing the options available the evening before. That way we are giving people time to make arrangements and real options that suit them.”

“Technology and real-time communication hold the key now to helping businesses benefit from the e-tailing boom. Retailers and businesses don’t want to just punt their parcels out into the ether and hope the majority of them get there in the end. A great delivery experience can now be the difference between a repeat purchase and a loyal customer or a ‘never-again’ style tirade on social media. Customers are much more sophisticated these days and a delivery service that they can control and interact with via their smartphone is much more in keeping with their lifestyle, and far more likely to illicit a positive reaction for the brands they are dealing with.”

DPD’s ‘evening before’ notification will now give recipients five different ‘in-flight’ delivery options if they are not going to be available to receive their parcel in person the following day:

Change the delivery day: Customers can choose to reschedule their delivery for a specific day, up to five days in advance.

Deliver to neighbour: Customers can select a specific neighbour from a personalised dropdown menu. DPD will confirm by text or email when the parcel has been safely delivered to their specified neighbour.

Deliver to a safe place (NEW): Customers will be able to select from a range of dropdown options such as ‘front porch’ or ‘shed’ or relay specific instructions to the driver ahead of delivery. Once the delivery has been made, the driver will send confirmation to the customer via text or email along with a photograph to show where the parcel has been left.

Collect from nearest depot (NEW): Customers can elect to pick up the parcel from their nearest depot. DPD will send confirmation as soon as the package is back at the depot for collection along with directions or customers can choose a specific day to pop into the depot up to five days in advance.

Upgrade my delivery (NEW): For a small additional fee, customers can upgrade their delivery, for example to a ‘before 10am’ service or arrange a Saturday morning delivery. For added convenience, payments can now be made via a smartphone or tablet using PayPal.