Feb/March 2007

A new slant on the perennial challenge of capturing and managing proof of delivery information is offered by a suite called DeliveryPOD from Channel and Mobile Solutions, which is headed by one-time Symbol Technologies and Telxon executive Mike Bowen.

The package is described as 'state of the art', though it steers clear of the one-size-fits-all Web-based approach of other recent developments, using more traditional three-element architecture.

Shippers run a Windows XP-based software package which manages despatch, prints labels and so on; drivers carry a PDA-style mobile computer running a bespoke application; and data is stored on a central Web server. This offers graded access (to shippers, customers or the public, for instance).

Where the suite appeals is that it is offered as a complete system, including documentation, reporting (PDF or Excel output), scanning and analysis. A 'loading restrictions' feature helps route packages to the correct delivery route or depot. There is even a facility for drivers to take photographs - for instance, indicating damage or thwarted delivery attempts. The company says it is suitable for any fleet of 20 or more vehicles.

 

The package has been developed in a unified Windows Visual Studio .Net environment, and uses Microsoft SQL Server database and ASP.Net 2.0 Web application.