Enhanced tracking

IPC helps postal operators explore opportunities in the rapidly growing e-commerce market, a process in which tracking data plays a crucial role.

Based on EMSEVT version 3, the latest set of tracking events available in the postal world, IPC and operators in the E-Parcel Group work closely together in order to develop tailor-made services and flexible delivery options within the realm of today’s e-commerce demands.

Enabling e-commerce solutions

Once finalised, the enhanced tracking solution being implemented by the EPG membership will allow operators to develop solutions such as:

• Flexible delivery options: driven by the e-retailer’s or consumer’s request, postal items are dropped off at shops, pack stations or home address, with signature
• Notification on delivery status: recipients are informed about delivery and location via SMS or email
• Direct injection: items are injected in the domestic network of the destination operator for faster delivery at lower costs

Benefits for postal operators implementing the enhanced item tracking solution

The enchanced tracking solution will:

• support all trackable postal products, including EMS, parcels, registered and/or insured letter post, and exprès letter post;
• facilitate e-commerce solutions, in particular around flexible delivery options and notifications on delivery status;
• allow for the extension of product portfolios, e.g. through additional services such as Cash On Delivery, with/without signature upon receipt etc.;
• enable the implementation of cost reductions while maintaining, or even improving, quality levels (e.g. through direct injection to domestic sorting centres);
• allow for more efficient processing throughout the entire network;
• allow customers to obtain better visibility of item status throughout the network:
  • scanning on more locations
  • availability of more, and more accurate, tracking information 
  • improved transmission times leads to earlier availability of tracking information
• provide better options for performance monitoring, in particular with regard to early intervention, as such ensuring that items are delivered in accordance with defined service standards.