An Optimal Solution: Increasing Visibility in Parcel Deliveries
DPD Germany
- European logistics specialists
- Germany´s second largest parcel service
- 400 million parcels delivered across Europe per year
- 79 depots
- 7,800 pickup parcel shops
- 9,000 employees
- 11,500 delivery staff
DPD decision-makers were confident they had made the right choice with Zebra’s mobile computers. To guarantee smooth, company-wide implementation of the devices, DPD contracted IBM as its distributor. The IT company ensures that DPD can concentrate on its core business while it takes care of everything relevant to device lifecycle.
How does the solution work? A DPD driver scans the parcels at the depot before loading them into the delivery vehicle. A second scan provides proof of delivery (PoD) to the customer or the pick-up point, and a digital signature documents the handover.
DPD decision-makers were confident they had made the right choice with Zebra’s mobile computers. To guarantee smooth, company-wide implementation of the devices, DPD contracted IBM as its distributor. The IT company ensures that DPD can concentrate on its core business while it takes care of everything relevant to device lifecycle.
How does the solution work? A DPD driver scans the parcels at the depot before loading them into the delivery vehicle. A second scan provides proof of delivery (PoD) to the customer or the pick-up point, and a digital signature documents the handover.
DPD Germany
- European logistics specialists
- Germany´s second largest parcel service
- 400 million parcels delivered across Europe per year
- 79 depots
- 7,800 pickup parcel shops
- 9,000 employees
- 11,500 delivery staff
The mobile device can scan both barcodes and QR codes.
A Custom-Developed App
The app enables improved efficiency, productivity, and transparency in parcel deliveries.
To perform these operations, DPD developed an app to capture data using both QR code and barcode technology. This app has been installed on approximately 14,000 TC77 handheld devices from Zebra Technologies to increase driver productivity and visibility into parcel deliveries.
Furthermore, drivers can add their own notes to a particular delivery, such as how many parcels were delivered, if any were damaged, or where packages were deposited if the recipient was absent. This way, the app allows DPD drivers to easily manage delivery and collection stops.
To perform these operations, DPD developed an app to capture data using both QR code and barcode technology. This app has been installed on approximately 14,000 TC77 handheld devices from Zebra Technologies to increase driver productivity and visibility into parcel deliveries.
Furthermore, drivers can add their own notes to a particular delivery, such as how many parcels were delivered, if any were damaged, or where packages were deposited if the recipient was absent. This way, the app allows DPD drivers to easily manage delivery and collection stops.
The app enables improved efficiency, productivity, and transparency in parcel deliveries.
The goal at DPD is to equip delivery drivers with a reliable mobile computing solution to handle the day-to-day requirements of parcel delivery while keeping up with growing demands.
A Standardized Recharging Infrastructure
Although the process may appear simple, a closer look reveals the unique challenges these devices must overcome. The handheld devices are put through their paces. Drivers scan up to 1,000 parcels a day and the rechargeable batteries need to be powerful enough to last the entire day.
To ensure the mobile computers are always ready to use, DPD developed a standardized recharging infrastructure for its depots, including all the necessary cabling. Hundreds of devices are now recharged overnight in special racks. Charging cradles are also built into the device mounts in DPD vehicles, so that devices can also be recharged while on the road.
“After performing a product evaluation, we selected Zebra mobile computers because of their reliability, durability and long-lasting battery life. With the TC77s, our drivers don’t have to worry about the device running out of power mid delivery.”
Rudolf Pöcking – Operations, Local Traffic & Development, DPD Germany
The secure mounting of handheld devices in vehicles is required by law here, similar to regulations on navigation devices. IBM developed special mounts to meet this requirement while simultaneously providing electricity for the handhelds.
Built for Tough Conditions
Zebra TC77 Touch Mobile Computer
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 octa-core, 2.2 GHz
- 4G and Wi-Fi 5
- 4.7 inch High Definition Display (1280 x 720)
- Multiple 6 ft./1.8 m drops to concrete across full operating temperature
- Multiple 8 ft./2.4 m drops to concrete at room temperature per MIL STD 810 G
Another advantage of Zebra´s handheld devices is their durability. Mobile logistics devices need to be incredibly robust due to the demands of the delivery process. Zebra´s devices have aluminum frames and housing, recessed Gorilla Glass displays and rubber edges that make them resistant to scratches and impact.
This robustness makes the handheld devices suited for demanding applications including e-citation, proof of pickup and delivery, the track and trace of packages and pallets, and route optimization.
Another advantage of Zebra´s handheld devices is their durability. Mobile logistics devices need to be incredibly robust due to the demands of the delivery process. Zebra´s devices have aluminum frames and housing, recessed Gorilla Glass displays and rubber edges that make them resistant to scratches and impact.
This robustness makes the handheld devices suited for demanding applications including e-citation, proof of pickup and delivery, the track and trace of packages and pallets, and route optimization.
Zebra TC77 Touch Mobile Computer
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 octa-core, 2.2 GHz
- 4G and Wi-Fi 5
- 4.7 inch High Definition Display (1280 x 720)
- Multiple 6 ft./1.8 m drops to concrete across full operating temperature
- Multiple 8 ft./2.4 m drops to concrete at room temperature per MIL STD 810 G
“We didn’t want to re-invent the wheel; we wanted a reliable and proven mobile computing solution that would last and that’s definitely the case with Zebra’s devices.”
Jörg Heinz – TSL Client Management, IBM Germany
Smartphones Simply Aren’t an Alternative
The handheld mobile computers do things that no smartphone could ever do. These devices act as the customer interface for pick-up and delivery. This is something a smartphone is not able to do. The TC77 mobile computer from Zebra provides DPD’s delivery staff with an innovative, reliably pre-configured and robust device.
Replacing battery packs for the mobile computers is also part of the service, which IBM performs after a certain number of recharging cycles, based on regularly transmitted device data. No smartphone manufacturer possesses this ability. The same holds true for the integrated camera, whose scanning speed far surpasses that of any smartphone.
DPD uses around 14,000 TC77 handhelds in its daily operations. 1,000 parcels are scanned daily.
“Thanks to the outstanding performance of our Zebra handhelds, and the technical support we get from IBM, we are able to keep our promises to millions of customers we deliver to every day.”
Rudolf Pöcking – Operations, Local Traffic & Development, DPD Germany
