DHL, the world's leading express and logistics company, is employing cutting-edge technology to provide real-time shipment tracking for customers. In addition to utilizing a WiFi communications system and the latest GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) technology, DHL is conducting research and development of cutting-edge innovations in the field of global logistics at the DHL Innovation Center located near Bonn, Germany. DHL continues to make innovations to information systems in its global service network, raising customer satisfaction through the use of a real-time freight tracking system.

DHL U.S. recently announced it is adopting the latest "new generation" scanning technology and WiFi communications system, which will be deployed throughout the U.S. by third quarter 2007, by which time DHL couriers, operations personnel, and even customers will be able to access real-time shipment information. In Asia Pacific, DHL is already using GPRS technology 5 years ago to transmit shipment information, which in tandem with the Quality Shipment Monitoring System (QSMS), allows DHL to fully monitor the status of every shipment. DHL Taiwan adopted QSMS in July 2006, which is connected to DHL’s Asia Pacific Quality Control Center (QCC) in Singapore and monitors all inbound and outbound DHL flights and shipments 24 hours a day, ensuring shipment safety. This new technology developed by DHL will be deployed across 41 countries across Asia Pacific by the end of 2007.

DHL continues to seek to improve its service quality through the use of cutting-edge technology. In 1999, all DHL couriers in Asia Pacific began to use wireless-capable scanners. Currently, most countries in the Asia Pacific region use GPRS technology to transmit shipment information and are capable of adapting to differing telecommunications systems requirements, such as GSM, DOPA, and CDMA. Within 15 minutes of a DHL courier scanning a shipment, its status can be retrieved by its sender on the DHL web site. From pick-up to delivery, each shipment passes through an average of 17 check points, and the wireless transmission of shipment data to DHL’s system allows DHL customer service representatives in over 220 markets and territories to track each shipment’s status.

QSMS enables DHL to proactively inform customers about the status of their shipments, and respond instantly to potential shipment delays. It helps DHL to identify a problem as soon as it occurs and resolve the issue in real time, underscoring DHL’s resolve to go “All the Way” – the brand spirit of DHL – for its customers.

Technical Terms
·WiFi
WiFi stands for ”Wireless Fidelity” and is a wireless broadband service that uses access points to connect a group of wireless stations to an adjacent wired local area network. Mobile devices equipped with WiFi-certified wireless cards or internal WiFi connection can connect to the Internet through wireless transmission of data.
·GPRS
GPRS stands for “General Packet Radio Service” and is considered an “upgrade” of the GSM system currently used by mobile phones. Transmission speeds between GPRS mobile phones and base transceiver stations can exceed 160 Kpbs, with GPRS enabling mobile phone users to connect the Internet.