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Optimizing Delivery Workflows with MatrixScan-AR and OCR Integration
Technology Category
- Sensors - Barcode Readers
- Sensors - GPS
Applicable Industries
- Pharmaceuticals
- Transportation
Applicable Functions
- Logistics & Transportation
- Sales & Marketing
Use Cases
- Augmented Reality
- Last Mile Delivery
The Challenge
NACEX, a leading courier service operating in Spain, Portugal, and Andorra, was facing challenges in speeding up parcel deliveries from distribution centers to the last mile. The company, which handles special requirement deliveries such as pharmaceuticals, relied on franchisees with over 1,500 vehicles to sort and deliver parcels. The standard receiving process involved using a dedicated device to scan the barcode on every parcel for verification and sorting. The company wanted to improve scan speeds and the type of information they could record for faster delivery and improved customer service. With last mile drivers scanning over five million barcodes every month, superfast scanning was critical. Additionally, they needed to maintain proof of delivery records for each delivery, which included photographing the parcel and the recipient’s signature, or scanning it. Drivers delivering pharmaceutical items had to abide by stringent temperature requirements and delivery times, and needed to be alerted in advance of any updates.
The Customer
NACEX
About The Customer
NACEX is a leading B2B and B2C courier service for parcels and documents, operating in Spain, Portugal, and Andorra. The company provides value-added services for deliveries with special requirements, such as pharmaceuticals. They have an exclusive network of franchisees across the regions they operate for handling last mile deliveries. With a combined total of over 1,500 vehicles, franchisees receive parcels from NACEX distribution hubs every morning – sorting them into vans for delivery to the final destination. NACEX relies on technology to enhance the quality of service to their franchisees and customers.
The Solution
NACEX replaced dedicated scanners for last mile drivers with an Android app that integrates with Scandit’s barcode scanner SDK, and extended its functionality with MatrixScan-AR and OCR. The GPS navigation on the smartphone app determines the driver's location and the parcels scheduled for delivery. MatrixScan is used to capture multiple barcodes on several parcels in the van with a single scan, where barcodes on parcels for delivery are highlighted on their smartphone screens based on AR feedback. AR overlays on the barcode offer additional information to support quicker deliveries. This could include instructions for drivers to deliver items at locations specified by customers, if they could not receive parcels in-person, amongst other things. Drivers who deliver pharmaceutical items now receive automatic alerts through the AR overlays, if deliveries need to be paused or terminated. For parcels or packages with barcode labels that are badly damaged in transit, last mile drivers use the OCR functionality in the scanning app to capture the accompanying text.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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