Technology Improvements in logistics necessary for meeting increasing delivery demand -DHL

The rise of e-commerce and increased competition are driving the demand for real-time supply chain visibility, Oliver Facey, Vice President of Operations, DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa says.

Oliver Facey, Vice President of Operations, DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa

Facey made the assertion in a statement by Olawale Adetula, DHL’s Marketing and Communications Manager, West Africa on Wednesday in Lagos.

The statement said that the supply chain operators should increasingly invest in transportation management systems and solutions to improve the quality, speed and precision of service.

It said that the improvements would not only enhance customer experience, but also reduce operating costs and give operators a competitive advantage.

“It is for this reason that DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa has launched pocket-sized, all-touch computers that capitalise on the latest technological advancements, and ensure customers on the continent benefit from increased visibility and an enhanced experience.

“The TC55 scanners operate on an Android platform and in addition to ease of use, they also have built-in location services and GPS navigation capabilities.

“We operate across 51 markets in Sub-Saharan Africa, servicing over 40,000 customers; therefore delivery efficiency is key for us,’’ the statement quoted Facey as saying.

“As a network business, we need to ensure that our shipment data is captured accurately and in real-time.

“Our growth plans and improvements are driven by the voice of our customer and in challenging and competitive global environments.

“They need us to provide accurate and real-time information to ensure that they maintain their competitive edge and speed to market.’’

The statement said new technology increased the speed at which shipments were processed at both customer locations and DHL facilities.

It added that it empowered its frontline employees with access to real-time shipment information which would assist them with workload management.

“Unlike consumer-grade counterparts, these devices have integrated data-capture capabilities and are also built to endure the wear and tear of industrial environments,’’ the statement said.

It said the benefits for DHL customers included real-time shipment visibility, enhanced electronic proof of delivery, and on-time billing.

It noted that DHL Express had introduced 400 TC55 units in four of their largest markets in Sub-Saharan Africa — South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Mauritius.

Further deployment to their top 20 markets across the region will take place in the coming months, the statement said.

“We want to simplify the lives of our customers and ensure that we remain the provider of choice for international express. Our relentless focus on new capabilities ensures that we are well positioned to support our customers’ business,’’ the statement said.