INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Mobile Technology
DHL adding digital to
Africa supply chain with
Motorola TC55
The growth of mobile phones and
services across the African continent
has instantly brought many Africans
into the digital age and connected
them to worldwide knowledge and
services. Home to one of the world’s
fastest growing middle classes, Africa
has seen multiple opportunities
emerge for both local and global
retailers from this digital growth.
“Currently, more than 60% of
individuals in sub-Saharan Africa
have access to a mobile phone. As
the adoption of mobile technology
and increasing internet penetration in
these countries continue to grow, so
does the opportunity for retailers to
reach new customers in the region,”
says Hennie Heymans, CEO, DHL
Express Sub Saharan Africa.
“To meet this growing demand,
we have introduced Motorola
TC55 scanner units in 26 countries
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across Sub-Saharan Africa, as part
of our Global Courier Application
deployment.”
These pocket sized Android-based
scanners come equipped with
touchscreens, built-in location services
as well as GPS navigation capabilities,
enabling customers to track parcels in
real-time. With the new scanner units,
customers are able to sign on the
device’s touchscreen and within 15
minutes, the electronic proof of delivery
will be made available on the website.
As a network business, it is essential
that our shipment data is captured
accurately and in real-time. This data
can also be used to measure customer
satisfaction against company KPIs, as
well as for process improvements or
route adjustments to increase efficiency
and improve customer service. With
this new technology, local and global
retailers can increase the speed at
which shipments are processed and
delivered to their clients, thus improving
efficiency along the value chain.
With the new scanner units, customers
are able to sign on the device’s
touchscreen and within 15 minutes,
the electronic proof of delivery will be
made available on DHL.com. With an
established network of over 5,500 retail
outlets across Sub Saharan Africa, DHL
Express provides individuals and SMEs
greater access to global opportunities.
Heymans also adds that the market
opportunities in Africa are ripe. With
the rise of mobile commerce and
increased competition, this drives the
demand for advances in technology
and logistics, to ensure real-time
supply chain visibility and improved
quality, speed and precision of delivery
services within African markets.
The World Bank’s 2016 World
Development Report, Digital Dividends,
notes that the increased access to
digital technologies brings more
choice and greater convenience, and
that through inclusion, efficiency and
innovation, access to mobile provides
opportunities that were previously out
of reach.
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