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DHL Demos RFID-Enabled Delivery Van
Recipients of packages could log onto the DHL Web site and see not only whether the package was loaded onto the van, but confirm whether it was delivered and see where the van is. The van's GPS tracking device pinpoints where the van is at any time in its route, and that van number is linked with each package ID number. "If they see the package is only four blocks away, they know this isn't a good time to leave the house," Johnson says.
The RFID system also provides DHL or its independent contractors with a waybill listing what package inventory remains in the van. The RFID system would be able to provide on-demand in-vehicle inventory polling, meaning that a DHL employee can get a real-time count of packages still in the van at any point, based on reads from the van's interrogator.
The van is only a prototype, and DHL says it has no intention of deploying such a van at this point.
"We want to show that DHL is consistently looking at new and innovative technologies to provide a higher level of service than our competition," Johnson says. "What we're trying to accomplish is to show the value of RFID technology: Clearly, it increases visibility, and that's a real benefit for our customer."
Before DHL begins a field trial of the prototype, "additional feasibility studies, customer analysis and ROI models must be further defined," Johnson explains, adding that his company has set no specific date for such studies. "When bringing new technology and innovations to our industry, it is important to listen to the voice of the customer and make sure you are providing a product or service that is both needed and economically feasible to deliver," he says.
If DHL decides to deploy a fleet of RFID-enabled vans, the courier, as well as independent contractors that manage the DHL van fleet can benefit not only from knowing where their vans have traveled, and what routes were taken, but can also use sensors installed on the van to measure vehicle speed, idle time, driving habits and other vital vehicle safety data.
"We're very excited about the van," says Crossno. "This is a neat piece of technology."
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The RFID system also provides DHL or its independent contractors with a waybill listing what package inventory remains in the van. The RFID system would be able to provide on-demand in-vehicle inventory polling, meaning that a DHL employee can get a real-time count of packages still in the van at any point, based on reads from the van's interrogator.
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| DHL's Brian Johnson |
"We want to show that DHL is consistently looking at new and innovative technologies to provide a higher level of service than our competition," Johnson says. "What we're trying to accomplish is to show the value of RFID technology: Clearly, it increases visibility, and that's a real benefit for our customer."
Before DHL begins a field trial of the prototype, "additional feasibility studies, customer analysis and ROI models must be further defined," Johnson explains, adding that his company has set no specific date for such studies. "When bringing new technology and innovations to our industry, it is important to listen to the voice of the customer and make sure you are providing a product or service that is both needed and economically feasible to deliver," he says.
"We're very excited about the van," says Crossno. "This is a neat piece of technology."
