Scandit powers Yodel smartphone scanning app

British delivery company Yodel has integrated powerful barcode scanning software from Scandit, a leading enterprise technology platform for mobile computer vision and augmented reality (AR), into its newly developed driver and courier app.

As part of its digital strategy, Yodel, which delivers over 145 million parcels a year, has a transformation programme to change the hand-held terminals (HHTs) and replace them with smart devices using a mobile app. The parcel carrier selected Scandit to provide the barcode scanning software after it outperformed all other software options in testing.

With so many self-employed couriers out on the road, Yodel needed the scanning app to work on all models of smartphone to support their bring-your-own device (BYOD) policy – Scandit software supports over 20,000 smart device models.

Yodel developed its app for Android and iOS devices so that delivery drivers can use their own smartphones or any future company-provided devices. Colleagues can process deliveries while out on the road and confirm proof of delivery in real-time with a quick barcode scan.

Yodel’s Chief Digital Officer, Adam Gerrard, said user satisfaction with the app’s scanning was high from the very first release of the app with the Scandit scanning software installed.

“The app has been deployed rapidly to more than 600 users, on time, with no issues, and has transformed our on-the-road courier experience. We’ve been delighted with our partnership with Scandit in terms of product quality, technical support and their roadmap for future innovation. This support has been critical to the success of the programme, which will continue in 2020,” he said.

To drive further productivity gains, Yodel plans to use Scandit’s MatrixScan and augmented reality (AR) features in both this app and a new app for service centres. This provides the ability to scan multiple items in one go and view instructions and information as an AR-overlay, with Yodel expecting this to help speed up loading at depots and reduce the time taken to find packages in vans.

Samuel Mueller, Scandit CEO, commented: “We love working with an organisation that embraces innovation and the business benefits to be gained from computer vision technology. We look forward to continuing to support Yodel to further digitalise and future-proof their business.”

Other Scandit clients include Alaska Airlines, FedEx, DHL, and PostNL.