British technology firm NetDespatch has unveiled SecureScan, a secure parcel delivery systemensuring that goods are only released to authorised recipients, reducing at the same time costs
associated with failed deliveries and delivery claims.The new SecureScan requires two cryptographically paired encoded barcodes to be matched ondelivery to confirm the recipient’s ID, eliminating the need for a hand-written signature and isnot only safer but also more convenient. The result of a joint development by NetDespatch and ITfirm First Ondemand. NetDespatch SecureScan uses the latest Internet, auto ID and wirelesscommunications technology to provide a fully authenticated proof of delivery.
As goods are ordered, SecureScan creates a matched pair of unique digital tokens. Produced asa barcode, one token is assigned to the recipient of the goods and the other to the package. Ondelivery a positive ID is provided by scanning and matching the two parts, allowing the goods to bereleased.
Becky Clark, CEO of NetDespatch, said: “SecureScan will appeal to anyone shipping highervalue goods and in particular has many advantages for retailers offering home delivery. By matchingeach item for delivery with the correct recipient through the two factor authentication system,SecureScan will protect carriers and shippers from the costly and administrative burden ofmisdelivery and doorstep theft.”
Both companies are Oracle business partners and by combining NetDespatch’s extensiveweb-based booking platform and experience with First Ondemand’s identity middleware applicationAuthentisec, end users throughout the value chain will benefit from an improved and more reliableservice.
First Ondemand’s CEO Douglas Shand said: “The rapid increase in Internet shopping is leadingto a greater risk of fraud and loss in-transit than ever before. To reduce the costs,inconvenience and disappointment associated with this insidious type of crime, goods need thecorrect validation and authentication of both the consignee and consignor. The ability toincorporate an identity and authentication layer into these processes brings a greater level ofclient and customer assurance. NetDespatch SecureScan has mass market appeal which will change theway the way companies and people exchange goods and create a market-leading solution.”
