June/July 2008

The launch of the innovative iK(tm)n handheld terminal has unlocked the benefits of Vigo's proof of delivery system for Palletline

When businesses use third-party carriers to ship their freight, these days they increasingly expect the latest in electronic proof-of-delivery gathering – and there's no reason to think they will make exceptions if the 'carrier' is actually a pallet network.

However, it's well known that these networks have sometimes faced challenges in rolling out new technology. There are inevitably difficulties in bringing IT procedures of dozens of individual member-companies into line.

Palletline, one of the original and biggest of the networks, has overcome this challenge to a large extent. It is a long-time user of Vigo management software, which has become one of the standard products for the parcel and pallet network market. Vigo products are used for both its hub operations and its traffic planning.

However, until recently member-companies were still using a variety of paper-based systems for managing proof of delivery. Introducing electronic PODs seemed the logical next step, and as Palletline managing director Kevin Bucannon puts it: 'It made sense to use Vigo's signature capture solutions.'

By the time that Palletline made this decision, Vigo had already been offering its own POD application for a couple of years, so adopting it looked like plain sailing.

But there was a problem. 'The absence of a rugged hardware solution compatible with the new software forced us to delay introducing the software,' Bucannon says. Admittedly, various touch-screen devices capable of capturing signatures had been around for some years, and a number of these were technically compatible with Vigo software. But none was considered exactly right for this application.

Then along came the iK(tm)n handheld unit from Psion Teklogix. Immediately the Palletline team was attracted by its compact and powerful design and built-in functionality. For instance, it can scan barcodes with its integrated imager or scanner, and use its inbuilt camera to take colour photographs. Its extended battery life was also an attraction; Psion Teklogix claims the highest battery capacity in the market – 14 hours of use.

There's a choice of two keyboards, a variety of connectivity options including simultaneous Wi-Fi, cellular phone and Bluetooth, integral GPS, a full 3.7k VGA screen specification, and a powerful Intel 624Mhz PXA270 processor.

Barcode scanning was already used extensively in the Palletline system. The organisation scans pallets as they leave the collecting Palletline depot, and then scans them again as they arrive at the central hub. The pallets are scanned yet again as they leave the hub on their way to the delivery depot, and here they are scanned once more as they continue their journey on outbound vehicles.

'Efficient signature capture and proof of delivery is the final link in the overnight pallet distribution chain,' Kevin Bucannon says, pointing out that the new system allows pallets to be traced right through the supply chain to the point of delivery. 'We feel that the Vigo software system, supported by Psion Teklogix's new iK(tm)n hardware, will bring significant cost advantages.'

Vigo Software offers end-to-end logistics solution to hauliers, logistics companies and overnight pallet companies. Its tailored programs are integrated for both hauliers and warehousing specialists. Functions include online order entry, pricing, load planning, scanning, routing to postcodes/zones, comprehensive track and trace, storage and costing information.