HI-TECH DEVICES WILL IMPROVE MAIL DELIVERY SYSTEM
Royal Mail delivery drivers in Yorkshire, Tyneside and Teesside were among the first in the UK to use a new electronic device which will improve efficiency and customer service.
The device, known as a postal digital assistant (PDA), is an all-in-one mobile phone, satellite navigation system and item tracker that captures signatures electronically.
Drivers at Aireborough Delivery Office, Westfield Mills, Kirk Lane, Yeadon, at Spennymoor Delivery Office on Festival Walk, and at Newcastle’s City Delivery Office on Forth Street, started using the PDAs in September.
The national roll-out to 33,000 postmen and women who deliver items by van is due to be completed by mid-November, making it one of the largest and most ambitious technology projects ever undertaken in the postal market.
PDAs will be used to scan barcodes, capture signatures and transmit data in real time from the doorstep. This will help existing services, specifically Special Delivery, Recorded Signed For, Royal Mail Tracked and International deliveries.
A company spokesman said: “This new era of technology will give our customers faster and more accurate information about where their items are in our network as well as real time signature confirmation.
“PDAs will allow us to offer enhancements to existing services as well as to develop completely new products in the future.”