I sit here waiting on another package. Its currently 'Out for Delivery' but because of their system, I have no clue when it will arrive.
I get at least 3 different drivers who deliver packages to my home. After talking to one of them, I found out (for residential deliveries at least) they have a computer that follow the packages, and calculates the best truck, route, and delivery pattern for the packages to save on travel time, gas, and unneeded trucks running similar routes. This is great, good way to cut costs and save on fuel.
Problem is for people like me who are waiting on that package have no clue when the delivery guy will show. Each of the 3 drivers have a consistent delivery time. Driver A 11:30-12:45, Driver B 14:15-15:20, Driver C 16:20-17:30.
My suggestion to this would be to add GPS to the trucks. Their system does track which truck a package goes on to, so I say, when a package goes out for delivery, add to the tracking page: PackageX is on Truck B 'Click here to track'. This takes you to a google like map. Based on the 10-15 min updates from the truck to a central server that gives its current coordinates, You can better estimate when a package will arrive.
Since a computer also selects the route, the map can also draw in the projected path of the truck so, in the event you miss him, You can rondavue with them at a different location to receive your package. (assuming it wasn't dropped off at your house)
Their bar code scanners update every 10-20mins with package stats. Just add GPS to the wands and send the GPS coordinates every time it updates. Cameras now a days have GPS stamps to their pictures, why not Delivery trucks.
UPDATE:
Just got my package, and chit catted with the UPS guy. They have new scanners that they are now using. They have GPS built in, and they are assisting the driver on their next location. Like a Garmin or TomTom device. Unconfirmed, but they might implement something in the future. We will have to wait.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment