FedEx Express has enhanced services for customers in South Korea and Colombia with the launch of SMS tracking of shipments on mobile devices.
The tool, already also available in the USA, Canada and India, allows mobile users to receive tracking updates of in-transit shipments without requiring an internet connection.
Customers in South Korea can receive updates on their shipment via SMS by texting TRACK (for one time shipment status), or FOLLOW (for ongoing shipment status updates), together with the shipment tracking number, to 0133-366-5631.
“At FedEx, we’re committed to developing innovative tools that deliver a great experience for our customers,” said Eun-Mi Chae, managing director of FedEx Express Korea. “The new SMS tracking tool allows customers to stay current with their shipments, all in real time over a mobile phone. With more than 40 million smartphone users in Korea, which is approximately 80% of the total domestic population in 2014, we believe this mobile solution will provide a greater convenience for customers. ”
FedEx Express Korea already launched mobile applications for iPhone, iPad, Android Phone, which gives customer instant access to shipping rates, shipment status, pickup schedule and the nearest world service centre locations in 2012.
In Colombia, mobile device users can access their shipment’s transit information by texting TRACK and their tracking number to 87055.
Customers in the country can also use FedEx Mobile, a free smartphone app operating on the iOS, Android and BlackBerry operating systems for checking shipment status easily, and even making shipments on the go. With FedEx Mobile, users can track, get rates, find FedEx locations, schedule pickups and make shipments.
“For FedEx, innovation is not just an option, it is the only way to deliver the best service for which we are known for, with a one-to-three-business day delivery timeframe in over 220 countries and territories that make up more than 95% of the world’s GDP,” said Eduardo Berrizbeitia, country manager, FedEx Colombia.
According to the “Smartphone Users and Penetration in Latin America by Country, 2013-2018” report, released by the consulting firm eMarketer in December 2014, Colombia ranked third among the Latin American countries with the largest smartphone user base in 2014, with 14.4 million, after Brazil and Mexico.
Moreover, according to the same report, smartphone users in Colombia grew 23% compared to 2013, with the country registering 11% of the region’s 126.11 million active smartphones in 2014. The report also points out that Colombia’s smartphone penetration was at 45.3% of the country’s total mobile user base in 2014, placing second after Chile, which had 49.7% penetration of smartphones.
