Newsletter 46

Text messaging is being introduced Home Delivery Network to alert consumers to delivery timings and allow them to reschedule their delivery to a different day.

The messaging will include an estimated time of delivery. The company says this capability is believed to be unique in the home delivery market.

The launch coincides with the introduction by HDNL of a timed delivery service. Consumers will initially be able to select from AM and PM deliveries, and will also be able to ask for the delivery to fall between morning and afternoon school runs (from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm).

Consumers will be sent up to three messages during the delivery cycle, one of which will give them the chance to switch the delivery to a different day. Favourable pricing for the service will be offered to retailer clients who currently require a signature on delivery, since it is seen as a way of reducing delivery failures, but other retailers will be able to offer it as an added-value service at a slightly higher rate.

 

The messaging technology has been developed jointly by HDNL's in-house IT team and Inotec, an Oracle partner. It takes advantage of Oracle Fusion middleware, which HDNL has been installing over the past twelve months to promote easier integration with the systems of its retail customers.