Watch out - unreliable 2D Barcode data

crazyshrew · Post by **crazyshrew** » 14 Apr 2016, 16:07

I try not to get too wound up by stuff but need to have a fat old rant because I really am wound up today!
(also a warning to others...)

So, Managment (and WPC's) are now cracking down on people who are failing to scan these new 2D Barcodes.
A piece of paper has been produced listing the office walks in collum A,
the expected number of 2D scans that should have taken place on a certain day in column B
and the actual number of scans that took place in Comum C.

WTF!!
Issue No 1. How can they have any idea how many any postie should be scanning?? I assume there are some details in the system, but there is absolutely not record through the system. We have no Idea how many of these actually get to our office each day so how can they say how many should have been scanned on each walk that day.
Issue No 2. These barcodes are not reliable. I (and I assume everyone else) have a few each day that just will not scan, What every angle or distance you scan it at. The PDA just will not get it.
Issue No 3. (and this is why I'm haveing the rant) Is receiving a TWTP over (allegedly) not scanning these fair or acceptable when there is, in fact, no reliable data - The record shows I scanned 0/10 on the day in question - I'm scanning around 20+ most days!
Yes, I've probably missed the one or two but apparently the figures don't lie!

Well, big old cry of Bullsh*t from us all this morning
I just wanted others to be warned that fictitious figures are being pulled out of arses and you too may be pulled up on it.

houseoflords · Post by **houseoflords** » 14 Apr 2016, 16:13

Yes same here, some will just not scan don't think some of the print quality of these 2D bar codes are to admirable

Creditshampoo · Post by **Creditshampoo** » 14 Apr 2016, 16:16

The whole story about them holding more information is bullshit it'll be just another thing for them to put more work on us.

With 1D barcodes we could see who signed for it, the signature, the time and location of the scan...what else could you possibly need from a scan?! And surely a barcode holds as much information as you require it to.

noggin1969 · Post by **noggin1969** » 14 Apr 2016, 16:33

At least with the standard bar code if it failed to scan you could manually enter the numbers. These 2D one either use all or sum of the numerical code.

crazyshrew · Post by **crazyshrew** » 14 Apr 2016, 16:38

Calmed down a bit now, finally sitting down for a few mins with a cup of tea works wonders!

To be clear my concern is RM's data, and how they are using it to pull us up (probably should have put this in the union room)

RM says you should have scanned x amount (the expected amount) let's say 10.
In reality, you have had and successfully scanned at least that amount actually more than double the number RM has expected you to - not even counting the awkward buggers that simply won't scan.

But...

RM's data says you didn't scan all those. RM's data says you scanned none, zero, nadda, zilch.

RM's data is clearly wrong

RM's data is used by managers to start the three C's, several people left fuming this morning after being on the receiving end of very patronising TWWTP's
Conducting is not far away.

This is a big concern to me
Is there an agreed procedure for RM to monitor the scanning of these items.
If so it sure as hell isn't fit for purpose

Post by **POSTMAN** » 14 Apr 2016, 16:39

Get your reps to stop this s**t before it goes any further, too much bullying regarding 1st time delivery, tracked, deliver to neighbour ect ect and now this bollox.
Get your area reps on it as well.

motherhubbard · Post by **motherhubbard** » 14 Apr 2016, 16:41

crazyshrew wrote:
RM's data is clearly wrong

That would explain how my office is apparently top of the table for 2D scanning.
I knew it couldn't be right.

postslippete · Post by **postslippete** » 14 Apr 2016, 17:41

Royal Mail will roll out these 2D barcodes on a large scale because they are hoping that parcels/letters that are scanned at the point of delivery will be sufficient proof of delivery for most purposes, including eBay and Paypal.

In which case why would a customer in future want to pay extra to send a parcel/letter via recorded delivery just to obtain a signature? Why would a customer pay extra to get their item 'tracked' if it can also be tracked by the 2D barcode which the customer does not currently pay extra for?

Maybe its a winner in that respect for the customer because they don't have to pay extra - but because some of these barcodes can be difficult to blip and with no means of inputting manually, I can't really see it happening just yet.

korky · Post by **korky** » 14 Apr 2016, 17:46

motherhubbard wrote:
crazyshrew wrote:
RM's data is clearly wrong

That would explain how my office is apparently top of the table for 2D scanning.
I knew it couldn't be right.

after months of having it drilled into us to scan barcodes on tracks after some were failing, we now must only scan the 2d code if one on and not the barcode?
pass on what difference it makes, the same number pops up.
tempted to take a load of pics of them for all those delivered after 11am when the pda as died and send them to office for them to scan in

Chewster · Post by **Chewster** » 14 Apr 2016, 17:47

Since we were supposed to be scanning these 2D barcodes, I've only had a few work. No whinging from managers yet but I'm sure its coming

BeamishStout · Post by **BeamishStout** » 14 Apr 2016, 18:01

Chewster wrote:Since we were supposed to be scanning these 2D barcodes, I've only had a few work. No whinging from managers yet but I'm sure its coming

Been a wet week here in the NE.

Today was the first day I was unable to scan a single 2D bar code although I tried every single one (giving them the same amount of time as for a 1D bar code). I believe the MCs are having a hard time scanning all these items as well and that is in the dry. I'd get irate if I was accused of failing to scan. I wonder if some of our older PDAs are worse than others at scanning these 2D codes.

Not really worried about them now

Post by **eastie** » 14 Apr 2016, 18:04

trying to scan these 2D barcodes is an absolute joke, you end up trying to scan the things about 10 times in every direction .
Problem is that the batteries give up 3/4 the way round the walk.
A lot of these 2D barcodes are of very bad quality either done on a bad printer or as I suspect its the PDA's that are the problem.
Took some back and got my DOM to try and scan them with my PDA and he couldn't either

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 14 Apr 2016, 18:09

korky wrote: after months of having it drilled into us to scan barcodes on tracks after some were failing, we now must only scan the 2d code if one on and not the barcode?
pass on what difference it makes, the same number pops up.in

The same data pops up on the PD, but the 2d barcodes are data rich and all the extra stuff is uploaded when you scan it. So more information is available for the customer/sender via other sources .

It's like an iceberg, most of the info is invisible on the PDA.

GRS · Post by **GRS** » 14 Apr 2016, 18:28

I use a different pda each day as I cover 5 different walks over the week. Today's pda would not accept a single 2D barcode as every time I scanned it a message came up saying that it is not a valid barcode. Had this last week on 2 different pda so god knows what's going on. My partner was unable to scan today either as his pda was on 30% when we left the office and was down to 5% by the time we had done 2 loops. Not got a problem scanning these items but bloody hell if you want them scanned then give us the proper pda to do the job.

Post by **trythat** » 14 Apr 2016, 18:47

We've told try twice and then deliver as normal, which I know sounds quite sensible

I would do as others have suggested, get on to rep, it's not right, also get in touch with Area rep to see if it's happening in any other DO in your area. I don't see them being able to have any idea on the number of barcoded pkts for a while yet.