How have delivery companies met the demand? by Huw Jones

We all have horror stories about poor service in the parcel delivery industry but are they victims of over demand? We look practices and innovations in parcel delivery.

No-one would condone throwing parcels over a fence, but drivers put incentivised to make a delivery, often being paid per delivery or collection. When faced with an electric gate, they will cut corners.

COVID gave them licence to deliver without human contact. A photo was allowed to replace a signature. Van GPS timed to the barcode being read off the parcel label confirmed where the parcel was left. Shock sensitive labels are a good deterrent, but are expensive.

While the post office is in crisis, their parcel delivery business is eagerly sought. At a pound per 1st class letter has cnarrowed the price gap to small packages. Royal Mail is on the brink of a takeover by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky.
Online consumer sales drive the market. ‘Ebay’ sellers boast carriage free, de-valuing the service while driving down standards. The big names in parcel delivery are acquiring lower priced delivery services to incorporate under their brand. There can be two levels of service offered under the DHL or DPD brands that the consumer doesn’t see. Suppliers need to consider whether the lower price is worth the customer’s dissatisfaction.

Technology solutions
Around election time, we heard a lot about working families. Busy people order online and are likely to be out working when the goods arrive. It is a pattern. The automation industry can help with secure access to a safe place to leave packages.

Parcel safes offer limited security for parcels outside your front door but do not offer a solution behind an automated gate.

Amazon, well known for their tech solutions, have ‘Amazon Key’, an app that gives their drivers access to open your door, garage or gate. Linking the system to their ‘Ring’ doorbells gives the assurance of video surveillance. Notably it was Alan Bates who suggested selling Post Office to Amazon for £1.

Drop off points
Drop off lockers are a safe solution for consumers. Delivery services choose lockers to match parcel size. Access codes are sent to the consumer’s phone. Retail locations benefit from footfall. Landlords can upgrade communal post box facilities for larger packages, but now delivery drivers need access to the private box to drop off.

Video code readers on electric gates
A new trend in video intercoms is to include QR code & barcode recognition. The access control can then read the parcel label and allow access. It is a valiant idea but has several flaws, starting with lifting a 30kg parcel up to the camera. To work effectively, parcel delivery services and intercom designers would need to integrate their software. It won’t happen. Only Amazon had the vision to run warehouses, run a delivery service, and buy ‘Ring’ access control.

Keycode solution
A simple solution is to use part of the parcel’s consignment number as a keypad pass code. Consumers are routinely advised by email or text of the delivery time and number. Consumers then add the last 4 digits of the consignment number as a single use keypad code.

Keypads are popular on automatic gates, but not for the majority of the population. The wealthy may have to pay for absent security.

Gate Integration
IP intercoms with keypads allow users to add codes via Wifi. An app is required to automate the process by reading relevant emails, then using AI to extract and process the consignment number. A display on the keypad, or voice prompt, can instruct the driver to enter the last digits of the consignment number. After the delivery is made, or after a few days, the access code is automatically deleted.
Combine a parcel safe, wifi connected keypad, and intelligent email reader and you have a credible competitor to Amazon.