Package Tracking Software Success Story:
SCLogic Helps Vanderbilt University Trim Costs & Decrease Paper Usage
September/October 2009 article reprinted with permission from Mail: The Journal of Communication Distribution. For subscription information call 607-746-7600.
NASHVILLE, TN -- Vanderbilt Mail Services used a paper process to track hundreds of packages received per day. The volume was just too much to track manually especially during busy periods in the spring and fall when temporary trailers are brought in to process over 2,000 student and staff shipments per day. It required seven staff members to process the mail and packages delivered to 229 campus buildings
Numerous packages were lost as a result of the paper process and on some occasions the post office was billed for valuable packages lost while in their care. Vanderbilt developed very specific requirements for a package tracking system, including a receiving kiosk, automatic updates of the recipient list, mailbox assignment and email and text-based notification.
Vanderbilt did an exhaustive search of the available package tracking systems. "We did a very thorough RFP with four leading mail and package tracking system vendors including SCLogic," said Mickey Anglea, Vanderbilt University Postmaster. "Three of the companies pretty much said no to almost all our requirements, but SCLogic said yes. The one thing they have over the rest of these companies is they write their own software and this is a huge advantage for us and them."
Solution: SCLIntra™ Software & Motorola Hardware
VU's enterprise package tracking system consists of seven workstations and five handhelds. Packages are scanned as they are received from the carriers (UPS, USPS, FedEx, DHL) and matched up to the list provided by the carrier. The items are matched up to the recipient on campus and a notification email and label are generated.
Since space is limited, a forwarding system was implemented for students no longer on campus in order to cut down on the number of packages that are stored in the Mail Center. Staff packages are delivered via campus courier and the recipients sign the courier's handheld screen for proof of delivery.
As a result of purchasing the SCLIntra Package Tracking Software, the VU Mail Center has achieved the following results:
- Freed up two FTEs and one driver.
- Dramatically decreased paper usage.
- Significantly reduced Mail Services phone-call volume.
- Achieved ROI in less than two years: reduction of lost packages and FTEs.
- Reduced turnaround time (package arrival to student pickup) by 50%.
- Shortened time students spent waiting in line retrieving packages.
"We average over 9,000 packages per month and we have not lost one since implementing the SCLogic package tracking system in 2007. Purchasing an SCLogic mail and package tracking system was one of the best decisions I've ever made," said Mr. Anglea.
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