Watch out - unreliable 2D Barcode data

steve522 · Post by **steve522** » 15 Apr 2016, 17:02

i didnt have a single 2D barcode scan today. Tried to scan about 20. not a single one worked!!

NewPostieUK · Post by **NewPostieUK** » 15 Apr 2016, 17:03

SpacePhoenix wrote: Part of the data in the 2D barcodes is the address that the item is going to. RM can tell from that how many should be scanned on a given walk.

I don't understand this. How would my manager know that I had 10 2d codes to scan today? Are you saying they have already been scanned before being allocated to my duty? Who scanned them? And if half of them won't scan for me, how did they scan for someone else?

BeamishStout · Post by **BeamishStout** » 15 Apr 2016, 19:02

NewPostieUK wrote:
SpacePhoenix wrote: Part of the data in the 2D barcodes is the address that the item is going to. RM can tell from that how many should be scanned on a given walk.

I don't understand this. How would my manager know that I had 10 2d codes to scan today? Are you saying they have already been scanned before being allocated to my duty? Who scanned them? And if half of them won't scan for me, how did they scan for someone else?

MC's are attempting to scan them I believe but according to my source they are having as many issues as delivery staff are in scanning them. I had one successful scan today (an improvement over yesterday's total failure)

A total dog's ....

nickbsmooth · Post by **nickbsmooth** » 15 Apr 2016, 19:43

It's time some of these options were removed, recorded 1st or 2nd class,tracked,tracked Sig,special. It's overly complex at the point of sale for customer and hassle all the way along. The old PDA will scan a 2D but it's only reading minimal information as the PDA can't read full 2D info,I guess it's currently used to collect data as to deliver volumes in various offices.

Mezza · Post by **Mezza** » 16 Apr 2016, 19:21

I can't help but wonder how all of a sudden our lowest priced items such as regular parcels and packets, are getting as good a service as our premium products ie Special delivery?

I understand the need to compete with other delivery firms but this whole process must be costing a mint to implement for what must be little or no increase in revenue other than some form of data.

CAMPINGBLUNDERER · Post by **CAMPINGBLUNDERER** » 16 Apr 2016, 19:34

I'm sure the plan is to make the data available to retailers / marketing companies etc in the same way the postcode data is commercially available.

Post by **SpacePhoenix** » 16 Apr 2016, 23:31

For every other company tracking all the way is part of the basic service. I've had stuff delivered in the past by other couriers where I could see on a map where the delivery driver's van was, how many deliveries were before mine and an estimate of when the delivery will be made. RM is way behind the opposition when it comes to tracking

Chewster · Post by **Chewster** » 17 Apr 2016, 00:25

SpacePhoenix wrote:For every other company tracking all the way is part of the basic service. I've had stuff delivered in the past by other couriers where I could see on a map where the delivery driver's van was, how many deliveries were before mine and an estimate of when the delivery will be made. RM is way behind the opposition when it comes to tracking

I think the long term aim of scanning everything is to catch up with the competition on that front

Dorset Plodder · Post by **Dorset Plodder** » 17 Apr 2016, 16:47

Definitely a "First World Problem" when you're sat at home monitoring where your parcel is.

Personally I just order something and then forget about it until it arrives on my doorstep. I have enough of Customers quizzing me on how long a parcel should take to be delivered! "Are you sure you haven't got a parcel for me in your van"? "Yeah I thought I'd just walk past you and not say anything"!

Do do realise we're not the ONLY people that deliver parcels, don't you?

Post by **Aquarius** » 17 Apr 2016, 17:17

Let's not forget the other reason for scanning - internal data across the whole network.
The fact is RM has no idea how many items are in the system esp packets.
It's pretty much an estimated guess every day.

robbertwhitton · Post by **robbertwhitton** » 17 Apr 2016, 18:15

Am sure this isn't our problem.we have more things to worry about surely?another ill concieved idea with little thought that maybe they don't scan properly all the time,just like the PDAs on collections etc it's laughable.

BeamishStout · Post by **BeamishStout** » 18 Apr 2016, 08:28

dandydon wrote:Let's not forget the other reason for scanning - internal data across the whole network.
The fact is RM has no idea how many items are in the system esp packets.
It's pretty much an estimated guess every day.

And it will continue to be an estimated guess judging by the hit 'n' miss of scans both in MCs and LDOs. Might as well just do as they presently do - count the number of Yorks coming into LDOs and do a 'rough' translation into actual packets

Post by **soi6tiger** » 20 Apr 2016, 10:38

I work in a mail centre in the north of England, people on outward primary packets have been told to scan every 2d barcode, some of the barcodes will not scan........ ill thought out idea..... nuff said !!!

steve1873 · Post by **steve1873** » 20 Apr 2016, 15:40

SpacePhoenix wrote:For every other company tracking all the way is part of the basic service. I've had stuff delivered in the past by other couriers where I could see on a map where the delivery driver's van was, how many deliveries were before mine and an estimate of when the delivery will be made. RM is way behind the opposition when it comes to tracking

And that will NEVER be practical for Royal Mail, whilst we operate a letters and parcels system of delivery. Especially when deliveries are scheduled to run until 3-4pm in some areas and SD items require 1pm delivery at latest, meaning rerouting on an ad-hoc basis depending on where on the delivery the specials are for. As well as various other factors.

"Steve has your parcel, which is delivery number 447. He is currently doing.... his lapsing"

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 20 Apr 2016, 15:45

0900: Eric is your Postman, he will be delivering your order today. He is currently 2 streets away (400 yds) has 634 more houses to do and should arrive by 15:45

Or more likely - Erics PDA battery has expired - we don't know when he'll get to you.