Order overload
Technology has revolutionized the commercial courier service. Parcel delivery used to involve only a dispatcher taking the
address and package of a customer at a collection and dispatching office. Couriers then pick up the items there and drive straight to the consignee’s doorstep or drop it at another parcel post where the receiver can conveniently pick it up.
Today, the use of delivery apps and smartphones is the norm for the convenience and efficiency of both courier and customer.
New technologies are also emerging to make bulk delivery cost-effective and more efficient. For couriers confronted with a shortage of drivers or want a less costly 24/7 operation, autonomous or driverless cargo trucks may soon be an option. One company has produced the related software fitted on trucks and is test-running prototypes in the United States, China and Europe.
The TuSimple trucks from the San Diego, California-based company of the same name are programmed to autonomously move only on highways and between one terminal or distribution center to another. Driving is continuous, even at night. The test runs have a safety driver and safety engineer aboard, but they are not on the wheels. They just monitor the performance of the trucks.
TuSimple plans to roll out by 2024 the driverless trucks to be built by manufacturer partners.
Meanwhile, a more massive delivery is underway from the UK to China. More than 35 tons of materials are being shipped to the port of Tianjin from Moray in Scotland. The flooring, control valves, pipework and other equipment from Scottish fabricator Forsyth were ordered by Mengtai Group from Forfar firm Valentine International under a design and build deal forged in 2019. The package includes a team of five engineers from Rothes-based Forsyth that will supervise the assembly of the parts for a whisky distillery in Ordos, Inner Mongolia.
Filipino couriers can beat driverless and distillery deliveries using only regular order booking apps.
The thousands of delivery riders racing in Metro Manila’s roads can amazingly bring even a mountain of orders to customers on time rain or shine. For example, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso booked food orders last 8 July. Five riders arrived at Manila City Hall separately bringing the same orders worth at least P1,000, according to Manila Public Information Office chief Julius Leonen.
Domagoso’s five orders were chicken feed compared to actress Kris Bernal’s. Last 4 July, 23 Grab Food riders arrived at her home to bring her orders.
The only problem was neither Domagoso nor Bernal ordered the food.
It was suspected that scammers used hacked international mobile phone numbers to make the fake bookings for the mayor and fake text message to the riders. In Bernal’s case, she learned that someone pretending to be her assistant made the prank orders.
To address pranksters victimizing delivery riders and individuals, lawmakers are pushing for a law and executive order punishing the former. The only challenge to their move is whether they can deliver on time.