March/April 2005

DPD, the international parcel delivery network now owned by France's La Poste, is implementing a major programme to equip its delivery vehicles with drivers' handheld electronic terminals, and has chosen Hand Held Products (previously called HHP) as its supplier. No fewer than 6,000 units are to be supplied as part of a deal valued at 10 million euros.

The company is said to have tested solutions from several vendors before choosing Hand Held Products' Dolphin 9500 as the basis of its new system. A special customised version will be issued to drivers in Germany, Switzerland and Benelux.

DPD's aims are said to include minimising costs and enhancing efficiency. Drivers will scan parcels before loading, and capture customer signatures on delivery. Customers can follow a parcel's progress via DPD's online track and trace system.

The 9500 is a ruggedised mobile computer with integrated scanner, and is equipped for GSM/GPRS mobile data transmission, as well as 802.11 and Bluetooth wireless local-area networking.Ê

 

Hand Held Products is already the preferred supplier of mobile tracking and tracing equipment for other Geopost European subsidiaries. One of these, Chronopost, has installed 8,000 Dolphins.