German consumers can now track parcels right to their doorstep using a new app for mobile devices launched by DPD.
The company said that its new app for parcel consignees “sets a benchmark” with diverse added-value features for digital and mobile parcel management.
These include a map-based live tracking function that DPD claims “is unique in the industry”. The innovative function enables consignees to check on a large-scale map on the current status of their shipment on the day of delivery. As a result they can see where the delivery vehicle with their parcel is at any given time, and how many stops it still has to make before it reaches their front door.
In addition, if required push messages notify users about every individual stage of the shipping process. On the Apple Watch, too, consignees can check on the predicted time window for their delivery and on the current progress of their shipment.
There are also numerous redirection options and convenient administrative functions while thanks to automatic synchronisation across all devices consignees never lose sight of their parcels.
"Digitalisation in parcel shipping is advancing in huge steps," commented Michael Knaupe, Director Products & Services National at DPD Germany. "More than any other parcel service DPD is exploiting the digital possibilities for managing parcel deliveries to the full. This once more confirms our claim to innovation leadership within the industry.
"We're especially proud of the integration of our Live-Tracking function, which shows consignees in real time where their parcel is at any specific moment, together with the time window during which it will arrive," Knaupe added.
The app is suitable for all standard devices, from the Android smartphone via the iPad across to the Apple Watch, and is available from the App Store or the Google Play Store for Android from Version 4 and iOS from Version 7. Versions of the DPD app which are already installed can of course also be updated to the new version.
Since the summer of 2014 consignees who are expecting a parcel from DPD have been able to individualise the delivery process at paketnavigator.de, enabling them to fit the delivery of their parcel conveniently into their everyday routine. On the online platform it is possible, for example, to arrange for the shipment to be delivered to a specific neighbour.
In addition, consignees can enter an alternative delivery address, change the day of delivery, have their parcel delivered to a parcel shop or arrange for the parcel to be deposited in a secure location. The paketnavigator.de online platform has now also been completely redeveloped, making it even more intuitive and user-friendly. In future access to the Parcel Navigator will for the most part be via the DPD app, while all the functions of the Parcel Navigator have now also been integrated into the app.
The app is an entirely new development and represents a benchmark on the parcels market, with functionalities and a user experience which are currently unequalled. Users can, for example, register simply and conveniently with their Facebook account, DPD pointed out.
After users register and log in on their devices, automatic synchronisation is implemented across all of these devices. As a result consignees can use any of their devices to check on the progress of their shipments by means of the Live-Tracking function, and to redirect them with a few clicks. They can also manage several parcels at the same time. If users decide to have their parcel delivered to a parcel shop, the app uses positioning data to display the nearest DPD Pickup parcelshop within a matter of seconds. In future development on both the Parcel Navigator and the DPD app will continue, and further innovative features are already in the pipeline.
DPD is expanding rapidly in the German B2C market. At present every third parcel delivered by DPD goes to a private consignee, and the company's decisive innovation strategy has led to significant volume growth in B2C shipping. The company said it concentrates on “those customers and shippers who attach great value to optimised information flows and flexibility”. Since July 2014 DPD has been able to notify consignees down to the last 30 minutes when their shipment will arrive.
