Courier services are not like they used to be. In modern times, technology has become a vital tool, so much so that it can change the face of a company or industry at large. The courier service industry is no exception, and has developed steadily through the years, going from strength to strength with the help of technology. Parcel delivery is getting better all the time.
Tracking parcels is no doubt a huge staple of the innovations made. Companies such as Parcel2Go provide accurate tracking features, pinpointing parcel locations anywhere in the world. Depending on the individual courier service, the tracking is usually divided into different tiers with a range of methods and supplement pricing. Nevertheless, we look at just how this neat bit of tech is made possible.
Bar Codes and Scanners
Bar codes are attached to the goods in question as a label, and staff are equipped with a scanner that zaps the code. Each employee handling a courier’s parcel will zap the package at each destination it arrives in (these can be multiple areas when shipping from overseas) and input the information into their individual or company database. The tracking is then fed through to the customer.
Employees of a courier service are granted access to this database. They are assigned usernames and passwords to access the data and have permissions to change the delivery information manually in the event of any mistakes and errors; such as faulty bar codes or scanners. The bar codes can also function nicely as a ‘delivery ID’, providing the reference for customers to validate or pinpoint their package.
GPS
A GPS (Global Positioning System) is usually of greater benefit to drivers on the road. The tech typically charts a digital path for the driver to take, as well as provides travel estimation times and an overall birds eye view of surroundings. They also come fully equipped with a voice over giving clear instructions on which ways to turn.
However, some of the data from this technology can be transferred to the online order of the customer. In other words, the recipient of a courier delivery can view some journeys in real-time, as well as be provided with an accurate delivery time or date depending on the speed of travel. It’s incredibly useful tech, particularly for those who want to follow every detail of their parcels journey.
Apps
It can seem like all technology gets compressed into an app eventually. An individual courier service can release their own iteration that may or may not have its own exclusive features, or there are other apps available that can combine more than one service. Of course, tracking is a feature.
These apps can in the courier industry also synchronise between courier services, meaning that all the tracking between companies is streamlined into one place. Ultimately, the tech here speaks volumes for convenience and organisation in the chaotic courier services. All tech becomes more impressive when it’s all right there on your phone at the touch of a finger.
