Jersey Post: Multi-Channel Island
Jersey Post: Multi-Channel Island
Read MoreTag: Track and Trace
DPD Ireland chooses Blackbay and Intermec to deliver mobile workforce solution
Blackbay today announced that DPD Ireland, formerly Interlink Ireland Ltd, has chosen Blackbay’s Delivery Connect mobile tracking solution to enable the real-time online tracking of deliveries for DPD Ireland’s customers. DPD Ireland, owned by La Poste, the French Post Office, and Ireland’s premier provider of next day parcel delivery, has awarded the contract worth in excess of GBP 1 million to Blackbay and global data capture hardware manufacturer Intermec.
The contract will see DPD Ireland implementing Blackbay’s Delivery Connect mobile software solution on Intermec’s integrated GPS and GPRS enabled CN3 rugged mobile computers. The CN3 will be rolled out to 600 couriers who will use the devices to track all deliveries from the point of collection through to proof of delivery.
Delivery Connect running on Intermec’s CN3 will enable DPD Ireland’s customers to track their parcels over the Internet in real-time. Ensuring the exact status and location of each delivery will be available at all times, reducing the need for customer queries.
Read MoreUS Postal Service high-speed sorters get smarter and faster
In a move to enhance mail sorting technology to better serve customers, the Postal Service Board of Governors today approved funding to purchase technology to postmark letters faster and sort them smarter. The 550 Advanced Facer Canceller System (AFCS) machines will replace existing sorters operating on 1980’s technology.
Today’s AFCS machine locates a stamp’s phosphorescent ink and uses it to position the letter for postmarking on the upper right corner of the envelope. It then sends the letter to one of seven bins for additional sorting. The new AFCS will be 15 percent faster, apply barcodes, and process broader-sized letters before sorting them to one of 12 destination bins. The additional bins will reduce downstream processing needs for about 20 percent of the mail. The new equipment, which is more energy efficient, will be deployed between May 2010 and July 2011.
During its meeting today, the Board also approved funding to purchase 400 computer systems to replace existing National Directory Support System (NDSS) and the Integrated Data System (IDS). The Postal Service’s 13,000 automated sorting machines process 212 billion letters, large envelopes (flats) and packages annually. Key to these operations is providing information to the machines to enable proper mail sorting and retrieving information from the machines about their operations.
The NDSS contains the nation’s 148 million addresses and downloads ZIP Code directories to more than 13,000 letter, flat and parcel sorting machines weekly. On a daily basis, the NDSS generates and downloads more than 25,000 programs to sort mail in the order of delivery.
Read MoreGulf region to test RFID technology
In a project coordinated by Qatar’s postal authority, Q-Post and two other neighbouring Posts are testing various RFID (radio frequency identification) technologies to measure quality of service in the Gulf region.
Since the beginning of March, operators have been measuring transmission times for letter post between Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, using RFID chips read remotely and without direct visual contact, by means of seven RFID readers or gates installed in mail processing centres.
The project aims to study the process for integrating and interconnecting two separate technologies via some “semi-active” and “passive” 4,000 chips concealed in test envelopes. The three-month project will provide specific information on the combined use of different technologies for the UPU’s global quality of service monitoring system. Eventually, this system will use RFID technology to measure the time taken by the destination country to forward incoming mail to the final delivery point. This will enable a link to be established between quality of service and the rate of remuneration of the destination countries for the mail.
At the Postal Operations Council in January, the Quality of Service Project Group decided to go ahead with this system and to focus on the interoperability of different technologies. Various standards will be defined this year, and the global monitoring system will enter its first pilot phase in 2009. It will then be extended to all UPU member countries. As well as being a helpful tool for calculating terminal dues, this system could be used by operators to improve mail flows.
Read MorePDS supplies terminals to DPD Europe and Hermes parcel shops
The German specialist for mobile IT systems, PDS GmbH, will provide DPD with more than 11,000 customised handheld units for its operations in Europe while also equipping Hermes Logistik’s parcel shops in Germany with 13,500 terminals. The value of the two contracts was not disclosed.
The DPD terminals will be equipped with a new system solution based on the Motorola MC9000 hand scanner. PDS said it has customised the handheld into an allrounder with three communication options (GPRS, WLAN and Bluetooth), an optional GPS receipt and a holding case for storage in vehicles. PDS will also supply replacement sets within 24 hours.
The equipment will be provided to DPD in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxemburg, Denmark, Slovakia, Czech, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia.
Meanwhile, the Cologne-based company has also won a contract from Hermes Logistik to supply its 13,500 parcel shops across Germany with new scanners. The parcel shops will receive equipment based on the Motorola MC3000 terminal including customised software for electronic registration of parcels’ reception and dispatch. The handheld sets include a Bluetooth label printer for barcode labels, receipts and reports. PDS already supplies hand scanners for Hermes’ delivery staff.
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