Unlimited Services Plus, the local branch of FedEx on Monday, claimed the distinction of being the first Global Service Partner (GSP) franchise location in the Caribbean to start using the CN3 Power Pad to capture and track package information.
Local Manager Jason Gilead said the business officially retired the Super Tracker, a similar but comparatively limited device that the worldwide courier service has been using for the past 20 years. Previously, employees were able to track packages from pick up to delivery by scanning the assigned number, but some information, including customers’ names and signatures, required manual entries.
“The difference with this (Power Pad) is that paperwork is eliminated; it still has all the abilities to capture information. It’s a fully operational computer system, and when someone signs, they sign on the screen itself so the actual signature of the person is captured,” Gilead said as he demonstrated some of the functions of the new device.”
He added, “The additional functionality of this is you’re allowed real-time access to proof of delivery information. With the old device, we used to have to wait until we got back to the office, dock it in the port and then the information would be uploaded to our network. This one uses wireless Bluetooth technology that you use on your cell phone to upload the information, so the moment someone signs on this pad, the information is uploaded immediately to our network so you can track your package online and have real-time information.”
However, the real-time aspect will become available to local customers in a few weeks since, as the manager explained, the company has decided to launch the full functionalities of the device in stages.
Additionally, an electronic version of all the information on the 220 countries worldwide, served by FedEx, replaces the previously monthly-published Service Reference Guide that contains postal codes, routing information, customs requirements, etc, specific to each country.
“FedEx is becoming more of a green organisation, as it is dramatically reducing paper usage,” the local branch manager said.
The Power Pad has been in operation in the US for quite some time, and Gilead said he and his staff had been anticipating its coming as FedEx has been on the cutting edge of introducing new technology to the market.
“We are really excited about it because it brings a whole new level of customer experience to our customers,” he said. “The fact that they can get much more relevant information that they rely on is something that will change the service we provide to our customers and the efficiency with which we do our job.”
