Royal Mail pilot tests real time delivery tracking

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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We heard an interesting rumour from Terry, a Tamebay reader, that Royal Mail had GPS map tracking on parcels. Naturally we wanted to find out more and Royal Mail told us that it was one of the many pilots they run and were kind enough to share some information.

“We ran a very small trial in November and December among a group of volunteer recipients and postmen/women on selected delivery routes. Participants in the trial received SMS/email notifications on the day of delivery of Tracked 24 and 48 parcels with 2D barcodes, linking to a live map of their delivery route.

A position in the delivery queue was given eg, ‘we are 5 deliveries away’. However, no estimated delivery window was provided. Participants could follow their delivery in real time, allowing them to plan their day in the knowledge that they had visibility of when the delivery would be made. This was small trial. The results are not yet available and we have no current plans to roll it out further.”

Even though this was a pilot, it’s very apparent that just about every carrier in the country are experimenting and developing their services. Consumers are becoming ever more demanding and it’s good to know that Royal Mail are just as innovative as their competitors. Personally I’d love to see live tracking rolled out by our postal service.

This isn’t the only innovation Royal Mail are doing, recently they rolled out their ‘Labels to Go’ self service postage service at Delivery Offices.

[PHARRY]

No tracking

[chickenwittle]

Waste of time , most 2d barcodes don't even scan half the time , any smudge or crease in the barcode and your tracking is screwed

[Lounge Lizard]

It's 12.30 on a deep rural duty and "we are 5 deliveries away", great, except that there are Special Deliveries several miles ahead that must be done by 1pm so the expected 12.45 delivery is at 13.45 or even later and the recipient has waited in for it.

[LouBarlow]

Wouldn't it save RM a lot of money if they just emphasised the need for a decent safeplace where we could leave parcels? Then the customer wouldn't even need to be home all day waiting for their item.

[Lounge Lizard]

Wouldn't it save RM a lot of money if they just emphasised the need for a decent safeplace where we could leave parcels? Then the customer wouldn't even need to be home all day waiting for their item.

But then they nominate a "safeplace" that's not undercover and within sight of the main road and parcels are ruined and go missing.

[walkthewalk]

It's another excuse to keep tabs on you I reckon, yes it is a customer related service but for me it's Big Brother watching you again