GLS Germany is upgrading its 5,000 parcel shops with modern IT technology to streamline theparcel delivery process making it more convenient, faster and safer, with an investment of €7
million.As part of the project, robust smartphones with a loading unit and Bluetooth label printersconstitute the easy-to-use hardware in the GLS parcel shops, instead of paper or special equipment.The smartphone features an android operating system and a parcel shop app with a clear menu thatcan be used in an intuitive way.
GLS claimed it is the first parcel operator to equip its parcel shops with such an easy,comfortable, yet secure technology. The shipping process is thus made much easier for parcel shopoperators, the company explained.
“With the smartphone, we bring the state-of-the-art technology into parcel handling,” ChristianHerrlich, Managing Director GLS IT Services, said. The GLS subsidiary has compiled the technologyand programmed the app itself. “Almost everyone carries a smartphone everywhere and is increasinglyordering things on the internet or tracking a shipment. It is obvious for us to handle the deliveryof goods via this easy-to-use technology as well.”
With the new equipment, all the steps in the GLS parcel shops are now digitally displayed andcan be carried out intuitively. In future, nothing needs to be written down by hand in the shopsany longer. This saves time and prevents errors.
For parcel shippers and recipients, the new technology is also beneficial. With the newsmartphone, the shop owners scan all the GLS parcels they receive. The parcel shippers receive aprinted receipt and thus a secure document. When a parcel is picked up, it also gets scanned, withthe recipient signing digitally on the smartphone. All the data are then transmitted in the GLS-ITsystem and can be accessed via the tracking function both by the recipient and the shipper.
GLS added that the new technology is a very good basis for future developments. “The newIT-solutions pave the way for new electronic services targeting shippers and recipients. The GLSparcel shop network will be significantly expanded in the coming years.”
