Tag: Track and Trace

GLS system now provides delivery status in real-time

Posted by | Oct 20, 2008 | |

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.

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.

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UPS is testing a tool to keep track of truck data

Posted by | Oct 13, 2008 | |

United Parcel Service Inc. is testing a new ruggedized mobile computer in its trucks that can wirelessly log departure and arrival times and provide managers with data on vehicle speed and idle times.
Test versions of Motorola Inc.’s VC6096 Windows Mobile-based system, unveiled last week, have been installed inside long-haul UPS trailer trucks and large trucks that move packages among sorting facilities.
A spokeswoman wouldn’t say how many of the computers Atlanta-based UPS plans to buy, but she noted that it will be a “sizable” number by the time the company’s deployment is completed, which is expected in 2010.
The spokeswoman said UPS has used the system to measure and compile truck speed, RPM, braking and idle-time data. More functions will be tested later.
The 4.8-lb. computer includes a keyboard, a 6.5-in. touch display, 128MB of RAM and 256MB of flash memory. It supports Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth wireless specifications.
UPS said its 100,000-plus drivers will continue to use their fourth-generation proprietary handhelds jointly built by Motorola and Symbol Technologies Inc., which Motorola acquired last year.

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Qatar post pilots Motorola's RFID solution to measure the quality of postal services

Posted by | Oct 6, 2008 | |

RFID technology was evaluated by Qatar Post as part of a wider initiative to measure the quality of postal services throughout the Middle East. Motorola radio frequency identification (RFID) readers and other technology suppliers, were part of the trial in a joint project with Emirates Post and Saudi Post.

Qatar Post, which is member of UPU Quality of Service Project Group Steering Committee, recently concluded a successful trial in the Arab region (22 Countries) during which it deployed and tested both passive and semi-active RFID systems. The project was initiated to evaluate various RFID technologies as a way to measure the postal quality across the three countries. This unique trial could pave the way for the use of cost-effective RFID technologies to track mail around the world.

Motorola XR480 fixed RFID readers were installed along with other antennas in mail processing centers across Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia to track anonymous test envelopes containing RFID tags. This created a simulated environment of how mail moves through the postal system and help authorities better understand the time and route that mail takes on its journey from collection to delivery.

This trial will allow and help Qatar Post to make both short-term and long-term decisions about its future business. On a day-to-day basis, Qatar Post will be able to identify delays in the delivery process and make adjustments accordingly. On a long-term basis, it can evaluate the average route of a letter and assess whether it is following the most efficient course, altering routing accordingly. It also allows Qatar Post to see where any potential errors in its delivery processes might occur, so that these can be corrected before they impact customers or incur extra charges.

This unique trial also could ultimately lead to the adoption of RFID by postal companies around the world, providing them with a measurement matrix for international deliveries as post moves from one national carrier to another. This trial will not only be important for the Arab region but will help the remaining countries` members to prove the success of RFID as a method to monitor post, reduce costs and provide better services for customers.

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Royal Mail gets itself a CoPilot

Posted by | Oct 3, 2008 | |

Microsoft’s Windows Mobile platform has received a boost with the announcement the Royal Mail is rolling out a customised version of ALK’s CoPilot Live Professional satnav onto 25,000 of its GPS-enabled Intermec CN3 handsets.
The software will enable Royal Mail drivers to take the most efficient route to their destination and also enable customers to see the position of their tracked products in near real-time. This feature will be available to Special Delivery and Recorded Signed For items.
The 25,000 Windows Mobile devices are GPS enabled Intermec CN3 handsets and CoPilot Live Professional will be fully integrated with its on-board job despatch, management and proof of delivery application, Delivery Connect, from Blackbay.
The Delivery Connect system has a button which launches CoPilot, which is then automatically populated with the address details of the destination. On arrival at the destination, the navigation system reverts back to the Delivery Connect for signature capture and proof of delivery.

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Vendors announced for Royal Mail mobile project

Posted by | Sep 30, 2008 | |

Royal Mail has announced the suppliers for its national mobile service project which will see 25,000 postal delivery workers equipped with handheld devices.
As reported by Computing in July, the introduction of the devices is part of a GBP 1.2bn IT-driven business transformation at Royal Mail designed to improve customer service by verifying the status of tracked letters or parcels.
The handheld devices are being supplied by Intermec, while CSC will develop and maintain the systems supporting the service. The CSC team also includes Blackbay, a provider of mobile workforce systems.
Royal Mail van drivers will be able to capture signatures at the point of delivery, eliminating the current paper-based processes.
Some 70,000 staff who delivers items by foot or bicycle will continue using a paper-based system to record signatures and delivery times, but the devices will roll out to all postal delivery workers in the future.
Trials for the handheld computers began late last year.

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