Parcel tracking has become an essential part of modern e-commerce and logistics. It provides customers with real-time information about the location and status of their packages, ensuring transparency and trust. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve deep into the various parcel tracking methods, their evolution, and the technologies that power them.
The Evolution of Parcel Tracking
Package tracking, or parcel logging, is the process of localizing shipping containers, mail, and parcel post at different points in time during sorting, warehousing, and package delivery. This system was developed to provide customers with information about the route of a package and its anticipated delivery date and time. Historically, this was crucial as mail delivery often involved multiple carriers in varying environmental conditions, increasing the chances of a package getting lost.
Identification and Traceability
Mail tracking became feasible through services like certified mail and registered mail. These services required the identity of a piece of mail to be recorded at various delivery points. This allowed the sender to obtain proof of delivery and the receiver to anticipate the delivery time. Initially, mail was identified by the sending date and the addresses of the sender and recipient. However, with technological advancements, tracking numbers became the norm for identification. The introduction of barcoding, including 1D linear barcodes, 2D matrix barcodes, and specialized postal codes, further enhanced traceability.
Modern Tracking Methods
Reporting and Recording
To pinpoint the location of mail, two primary methods have been employed. The first approach involves reporting the arrival or departure of the package and recording its identity, location, time, and status. This method is commonly used by major delivery companies like Deutsche Post, United Parcel Service, and FedEx.
GPS-based Tracking
The second approach utilizes a GPS-based vehicle tracking system. This system locates the vehicle containing the package and records its position in a real-time database. With the evolution of package tracking technologies, it’s now possible to obtain more detailed information about a package. Modern systems can report not just the location but also the temperature, humidity, pressure, acceleration, elevation, and light exposure at different time points. This is especially crucial for packages containing delicate or perishable items.
Web-based Tracking and Mobile Apps
The advent of the internet revolutionized package tracking. Web-based package tracking automated customer service and provided a cost-effective alternative to phone-based call centers. The ability to track a package’s status “within minutes” became a reality. With the proliferation of smartphones, package tracking mobile apps emerged, sending real-time tracking information directly to customers’ phones. Improved data processing also enabled email programs to automatically detect tracking numbers in messages and display the real-time location of the package.
Internal Package Tracking Systems
Traditional package tracking systems often don’t track packages once they’re dropped off at centralized mail service centers. To bridge this gap and track a package at various points within the internal delivery process, specialized internal or “inbound” package tracking systems were developed. These systems record the arrival of packages, notify or remind recipients, and log out the package once it’s received by the end recipient.
Parcel tracking has come a long way from its humble beginnings. With the integration of advanced technologies and the internet, customers can now track their packages with unprecedented accuracy and in real-time. As e-commerce continues to grow, the importance of efficient and transparent parcel tracking methods will only increase, ensuring that customers always stay informed about their precious packages.