Summer 2006

A mobile dimension has been added to the express delivery management system supplied by NetDespatch. It is branded Velocity Unwired, and is said to be the first mobile service in the UK to manage both shipping and delivery requirements.

NetDespatch's speciality is a system that allows carriers and couriers to accept and action orders online, and to provide customers with proof of delivery information.

Whilst users could already access the NetDespatch service from mobile computers via the Internet, the new system, which has been developed with mobile data network operator Cognito, bypasses the Web altogether. Instead, it routes GPRS transmissions via a mobile network provider to and from Cognito servers, which have a direct link with NetDespatch.

All the leading mobile phone network operators have the capability of offering GPRS services of this kind, although Cognito says take-up in the market has been limited so far, despite the attractions.

 

NetDespatch managing director Becky Clark says these attractions include the ability for user-companies to prevent drivers or other users from doing non work-related Web browsing, or sending and receiving messages via Web mail. Instead, all access is limited to company business.

The NetDespatch software application on the handheld mobile device is also said to run faster and use less battery power, since it does run under a conventional proprietary operating system such as Windows Mobile.

However, for operators that require it, the system can co-exist with Windows Mobile, giving users the best of both worlds.

For further information, see feature in this issue.