Amtrak Express Parcels has implemented a sophisticated system that makes original signed proofs of delivery (PoD) available via the Internet.  Using the latest document imaging and web technology, Amtrak's customers, depots and customer service staff can immediately view and print the original PoD document showing recipient details with signature.

Elsewhere Amtrak has purchased handheld scanners with photo-imaging technology designed to capture both barcode and signatures in a single scan at the point of delivery. Amtrak already has an electronic PoD system that makes PoD details available within an hour of the delivery time of any parcel on a premium service, such as the 9, 10 and 12 am timed services.  Proof of evening and standard deliveries are available next morning via the Amtrak website.  The docStore service provides, in effect, the hard evidence to support the electronic PoD. 

www.amtrak.co.uk     

UK road traffic information and data specialist, ITIS Holdings Plc, has introduced a new solution to the age-old problem of getting caught in traffic jams. ITIS' new offering is Map & Guide, a powerful computer software system that takes data gathered by ITIS from the entire UK strategic road network, updates this information minute-by-minute, and overlays it onto a route map, making traffic jams avoidable to Map & Guide users almost anywhere in the country.

Map & Guide is usable by anyone with a computer connected to the internet. The computer screen displays a road map overlaid with icons denoting current traffic incidents. When the user clicks on a map traffic icon, Map & Guide gives in-depth details of the traffic incident and the likely duration of delay. Easy-to-use search and filter functions sort the traffic information by named road or incident type, and Map & Guide's screen graphics can be customised to meet individual fleet operators' requirements.

www.itisholdings.com

Supply chain solution provider, Wincanton, has placed a further contract with national safety, security and asset protection specialist, Reflex. This time, Reflex's installation will be protecting premium quality food, beverages and clothing in transit for Harvey Nichols at its Greenford distribution site, in Middlesex.

Eighteen latest generation high resolution cameras have been fitted to monitor and record goods in and goods outwards movements. Wincanton management can view the high quality video images remotely on their internal IT network, and access the footage historically if required, on a digital playback facility.

Reflex has already installed systems at three other individual Wincanton client distribution centres, comprising a variety of access control, CCTV surveillance, perimeter detection, and other integrated security and health and safety applications. 

www.reflex-group.co.uk

Overnight parcel company APC has become the first parcel carrier to roll out a fully web-based shipping system throughout an entire national network. APC has selected NetDespatch to supply their 120-strong depot network with a service that allows all of their customers to book and track their parcels online.

APC's local agents will be able to incorporate the fully managed NetDespatch service in their websites to provide their customers with a broad range of advanced e-business facilities. The APC network are the first to adopt NetDespatch's  'Velocity' multi-service booking system which includes address management, bar code label and manifest printing and XML integration. It opens up electronic services to any APC customer, whether booking one or one thousand jobs a day.

Apart from higher levels of customer service, a big advantage of web bookings is that the collection and delivery details are available immediately so that both depot and hub can pre-plan evening operations more effectively.

www.netdespatch.com