Pallet networks to issue drivers with PDAs
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THE FIRST STAGE of Pall-Ex's plans for a real-time 'live' pallet network will be complete in January, when the company completes the deployment of 700 hand-held personal digital assistants (PDAs). These will enable delivery drivers to capture proof of delivery signatures
and beam them back to base.
Pall-Ex ordered 500 PDAs in October. Since then it has ordered 200 more and completed a training programme in the use of this technology. PallEx founder and MD Hilary Devey says the project has cost the network £250,000: "The major multiples are asking for this kind of technology, but the benefits are at many levels.
"All our customers benefit by being able to better track their deliveries; members benefit from improved customer service; and the whole organisation is able to monitor performance better."
Pall-Ex has worked with road transport software specialist Readtech to development the new system.
Rival network Pal letways is also rolling out a FDA-based system; it plans to have 750 units in use by early next year following extensive testing.