Real-time online booking and tracking enables rapid order fulfillment

Tuesday, 6 October 2009

Real-time online booking and tracking for nationwide next day delivery is enabling The Colchester Wine Company to expedite shipments throughout the UK – and even to offshore islands. The innovative system automatically links orders through to the APC Overnight next day Wine Delivery Service, which is helping the independent wine merchant increase its business and gain wider brand recognition through accurate and rapid order fulfillment.

The web-based system, developed by Marlow-based web software company NetDespatch, was supplied by local APC Overnight depot, APC Tendring Express. It allows the despatch team to simply enter consignment details and automatically generate shipping labels and book collection by the local depot. This saves a lot of administration time and eliminates duplicating customer data, which is crucial when dealing with up to 500 consignments a day during peak times. Once in the APC Overnight network, The Colchester Wine Company can use the system to pinpoint shipments as they make their way through the supply chain.

“With this technology we never exceed 48 hours from taking orders to shipping the consignment. Our aim, however, is to turnaround orders within a day whenever possible. It also gives us an instant view of shipments as they progress from our warehouse to the customer. This ability to track parcels is very useful when we need to respond to customer queries. In addition, the system provides us with automatic proof of deliveries via email,” says Mark Cronshaw, The Colchester Wine Company’s General Manager Sales.

The company is now considering how APC Overnight and additional online solutions will help to expand its online store.

“We have an expanding mail order business with loyal clientele. We would like to extend this part of the business via our online store and we are looking at ways to improve the customer experience of the website, beginning with a redesign. Integrating the website with the online booking and tracking system will be an important part of this,” adds Mark Cronshaw.

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