GLS has extended its real-time tracking service to Belgium after its successful introduction inother countries such as Germany and Austria.
The parcel company has equipped its delivery drivers in Belgium with bluebooth-enabled mobilephones for data exchange with their hand-held scanners. The so-called “Uni-Scan” digitalises thesignature of the recipients on the display and saves it together with the time. Moreover, companystamps and recipient addresses can also be photographed with the appliance. Via an integratedBluetooth-interface, the delivery information is transferred to the driver’s mobile from where thedata is directed into the GLS network.
With the individual service number, the exact status of parcels and cargo is retrievable viainternet at any time. This way, customers who are not at home at the time of delivery, can beinformed on the way if a neighbour has accepted the shipment on their behalf, GLS Belgium said in astatement.
In addition to Uni-Scan, GLS has introduced new scan stations in the depots as well as a newlabel all over Belgium. This label contains a 2D-Code instead of a conventional bar code. It canabsorb more information and remains readable even in case of up to 25% damage. At all interfaces,parcels and cargo shipments are scanned, e.g. at the entrance to the depot, during the sortingprocess at the hub or during delivery. Each step until the time of delivery can thus be controlledand followed. This is a plus for the customers in terms of security and transparency, the companyadded.
“Previously, the driver first needed to be back in the depot before the delivery data reachedthe network,” said Eberhard Fritze, Managing Director GLS Europe West. “Now we offer the real-timetracking service for all kinds of shipments, not only for parcel but also for cargo, making us apioneer in these segments.”
