A UK company specialising in developing software for the express industry has launched a centraldata hub for parcel carriers to check tracking information submitted by couriers.
The PODXchange, which NetDespatch developers call a world first, is an Internet portalreceiving and processing electronic proof-of-delivery updates and signatures. Shippers who usethird-party couriers will be able to consult the exchange for live status reports and import theminto their own tracking systems, says NetDespatch.
“PODXchange is designed so it can collect Proof of Delivery information from anyone and makethe data available in an instant to carriers and their customers anywhere in the world,” said BeckyClark, NetDespatch director.
“This innovation promises to revolutionise the express delivery industry as it unshacklescarriers completely from continual investment in IT. Add NetDespatch Velocity (the company’slogistics tracking and management software system) and carriers can have a complete deliverymanagement solution including off-the-shelf POD signature capture – all with minimal financialoutlay,” she added.
Couriers can capture signatures and post PODs in real time to PODXchange using anyGPRS-enabled PDA from a PODXchange partner, or through NetDespatch’s own QuickPOD service.
Alternatively, they can post the data using simple web forms on any Internet-connected PC orother device. This means that couriers can use a single device to post PODs for all of thedeliveries they are making on behalf of different carriers, NetDespatch explained.
The Buckinghamshire-based company expects that PODXchange will become a de-facto standard forPOD signature and delivery information reporting.
Earlier this month, NetDespatch announced a new high-security POD system developed for TNTPost in the UK to help the carrier expand its volume of valuable goods deliveries to homes.
