RFID enabled delivery van to transform logistics industry

The US Defense department is a big user of RFID for logistics already. But the age old commercial logistics industry is about to undergo a major shift now. On anvil, is commercial roll out of a new RFID powered tracking solution which will give real time information on each package loaded or delivered in delivery vans of logistic companies.

Major problem of the industry

A major problem in the industry is the lack of real time knowledge of the delivery van and the packages inside it. Customers these days want their packages to be delivered not only by their desired date but also by their desired time on that date. Customers can track their packages online. But the information is often a day old. Hence, the actual position of the package is rather inaccurate.

The new solution

DHL has experimented with a delivery van and fitted it with ultra high frequency RFID readers, GPS (Global Positioning system) and a computer. All the packages would be RFID tagged. Any loading or delivery of packages would be recorded by the readers. The data will be fed in the computer. Using the GPS communication, the data will be transmitted to various offices of the company. Hence, the central database would have real time information on the location of delivery van and the status of all the packages loaded on the van. Users, including customers, can log in their normal way and know when exactly they will receive the package. The courier company employees, depending upon the delivery priorities can reschedule the van roll ups. Also they can inform the customers personally in case of potential delays. This would eventually help the company to do damage control. Also the pick up and drop off points will remain as they would now know when exactly the delivery van will come there. Also with packages now tagged with RFID, package reconciliation exercise will become real time. Hence, any wrongly loaded/delivered or lost package will be immediately known.

Challenges

Some key challenges involved were installing sturdy antennas in the van which would be always moving. Also selecting the right frequency tags required certain research. GPS had its own challenges.

But now with the prototype ready, the logistic industry will soon implementing it. Keep watching this space for some interesting soon-to-unfold stories on RFID in shipping and logistic domain.