Technology: WAP

CDPD - device application for the courier delivery system Comet Courier System (CCS).

CDPD - Cellular Digital Packet Data. CDPD networks are an example of a packet-switched network.

Order Status Communication is designed to make the most of wireless communication devices that link the delivery courier to the hosting station to receive a new message or update the current status of pending deliveries.

• Prerequisties

There is a core database application (Comet Courier System) that receives and distributes delivery orders, assigns them to couriers and tracks delivery. The system gives an advantage in that no physical connection of computers is required to transmit digital data. Such devices look and function similar to ordinary cellular phones, but as an added bonus they provide data exchange. They have a digital screen to display data received.

• Advantages

Two-Way Text Messaging Keeps You In Touch Provides up-to-the-minute summary of all delivery orders Gives You Better Control of Your Vehicles Team Increases Productivity Enhances Customer Service Helps Reduce Overtime Enhances Security.

• Process Flow

Figure 1 shows how the CDPD network is integrated with the Internet, and how CDPD-devices interact with the web-server. The courier turns on the device. With the display flashing, the courier enters his login personal code to get access to the database. If the login is valid, the following menu appears:

• List of new orders not yet handled.
• List of orders accepted for handling.
• Location (specify the courier's whereabouts).
• Problems (notification of any).
• Messages from the dispatcher to read.

The courier can browse a detailed account of any of the new or accepted orders (the recipient's address, name and the delivery address, time etc.), whose composition is specified in the settings. The courier can accept or decline an order specifying the reasons.

While delivering an accepted order, the courier:

• notes down its status at the reception point (wait time, if received or not, time of reception, the wrong reception address, if any, etc.),
• checks the condition at the delivery point (wait time, if delivered or not, time of delivery, if canceled, if the address is wrong, impossibility of delivery specifying the reasons etc.),
• can also update the order's condition (weight, number of items, time spent, distance etc.).

Whenever the courier needs to send an urgent message to accelerate the operation, a menu of pre-set messages (which can be input manually) is available.

The pre-set messages with the list of information displayed for orders, date/time template, as well as menu item names and functional keys are specified in the settings. This allows the system to be updated to various client requirements.