Skillweb has launched a text and email alert tool for home deliveries which can automatically update the customer on the progress of a parcel, including when the consignment is 30 minutes away.
Notify-it is a new module within Skillweb’s Houndit mobile computing system that allows customised texts or emails to keep the consumer up to date with the progress of delivery.
The system uses route scheduling software combined with real-time feedback of job progress to calculate a courier’s estimated delivery time and communicate it directly to the customer.
A message can be triggered at any stage of the parcel handling process to notify the consumer of a range of information including receipt by the carrier, the predicted delivery time, confirmation that a delivery has been left in a safe place, or that a courier is experiencing difficulties finding an address.
Each message can be configured to include a hyper link, which the consumer can use to view details about their delivery and communicate changes back to the carrier such as updated special instructions, notification they will not be in or confirmation of an alternative delivery date.
For failed deliveries, Notify-it can send text messages within seconds of a card being left, compared to some traditional SMS texting systems.
Paul Ridden, managing director of Skillweb, said: “Recent research found that 74 per cent of shoppers agreed that they would like to be kept informed regarding the status of their delivery, up 30 per cent from the previous year…
“With Notify-it the consumer is no longer ‘held hostage’ in their own home, afraid to take a shower or pop out for a pint of milk in case they miss a planned delivery. What is more, those working close by can simply return home upon receipt of the appropriate alert to receive a delivery without losing an entire day’s work.”
Notify-it is available either as an integrated part of the Houndit suite or as a standalone piece for integration in to an alternative tracking system.
