While most companies are increasing their focus on all the internal steps up to shipping, The Gilbert Companies, a division of P&O Nedlloyd Logistics, is also doing something to improve its delivery visibility. The third-party logistics (3PL) provider recently implemented an outbound delivery solution, according to its new system supplier Globe Ranger.

"Before this solution, delivery information was manually recorded by our drivers and post-delivery data entry was based on paper receipts," explains Barry Oppenheim, vice president of Gilbert. "This was both labor-intensive and costly," he adds.

But now Gilbert has improved its delivery visibility with the help of an automated data capture and tracking system.

The company provides outbound delivery for a major retailer of toys to its stores. Each morning, delivery drivers wirelessly download the day's route to handheld computers. At each stop, bar codes on delivered cartons are scanned. Electronic signature capture provides live proof of delivery. Any required reconciliation takes place on the spot. The final data in the handheld is then uploaded to Gilbert's information system. As Oppenheim explains, Gilbert not only documents in real time exactly what happens during delivery, but provides timely performance data to its customers with the new system.