Wireless advantage: UPS leveraging wireless devices for package delivery.

Package delivery companies typically position themselves at the front edge of the technology that streamlines the delivery process. The shear volume of small parcels that criss-cross this country daily demands extraordinary tracking methods. There is always a lesson to be learned from the methods these companies employ. Take, for example, UPS.

UPS, a company that depends heavily on its mobile workforce and its interaction with warehoused packages, recently announced that it had upgraded the mobile workforce tools it gives its drivers to include Bluetooth wireless connectivity. The handheld tool, Delivery Information Acquisition Device (DIAD) IV, is sort of like a "command central" hanging from the driver's belt that provides valuable information for deliveries.

The DIAD IV is a small computer that has a built-in GPRS or CDMA radio, an acoustical modern to facilitate dial-up access if necessary, and 802.11b wireless LAN connectivity to enable transmission in a UPS center. The unit also features a Bluetooth wireless personal area network and an infrared (IrDA) port for communication with peripheral devices and customer PCs, as well as a new GPS link to allow drivers to verify customer locations.

According to Donna Barrett, technology public relations manager for UPS, "We have just started deploying the DIAD IV. The units are programmed with driver delivery schedules prior to their arrival in the morning. The units contain an electronic manifest, which is downloaded from our server directly to the units."

The DIAD IV tools can communicate with each other via Bluetooth and share package delivery data, which means drivers can exchange packages on route and still get them to the correct destination. Drivers only need to punch a button to see the text copy outlining all stops for the day, the number of packages to be delivered and where the packages are loaded on the truck. The intelligent system even alerts a driver to a missed package if, for instance, he or she has only off-loaded two of a three-package delivery.

Barrett goes on to says that in addition to the DIAD IV, UPS is currently outfitting package handlers with about 55,000 Bluetooth scanners, which are worn on the finger and communicate with Wi-Fi terminals the driver wears on his or her waist. The ring scanner captures data from the barcode on a package label and communicates the information via Bluetooth to the terminal, which transmits the data to a local server using 802.11b. The rollout is expected to be complete by 2007.

All of this is done not only to expedite the delivery of packages, but also to keep UPS customers completely informed of the delivery process along the way.

According to Forrester Research, development of wireless networks in enterprises will continue to be a "hot sector" in 2005. Companies that embrace and capitalize on this technology will be the most competitive.