With the rapid development of RFID technology and the reduction of application costs, RFID technology, which is mainly used in supply chain applications, has brought huge business opportunities to the global open market. RFID technology greatly avoids human errors and the resulting losses, reduces directional errors, blur, and the need to read a large number of barcodes, fluorescent points, printed products, and other marks at a time, which brings trouble to courier services.
With the support of the 863 High Technology Plan Project in China, the RFID technology application demonstration project was launched in the Shanghai Post Office. The main contents include: using RFID bags on mail bags, and realizing the automation and informatization of EMS total package processing through the electronic sub-bureau system, the central bureau production operation system, and automatic sorting equipment. In the courier processing center, the RFID system integrates with the existing business computer systems through the data interface. Through the application of RFID technology in the whole process of data package total processing, the multi-link automatic verification and sorting of total package information is realized, the system recognition rate reaches more than 99%, and the total package sorting speed is increased by more than 20%.
The application of RFID technology in the courier industry mainly involves the following aspects:
- Real-time tracking of parcels
In the process of parcel transportation, by attaching RFID electronic tags to the parcels, and using GPS technology, the real-time tracking of parcels can be realized, so that the sender and the recipient can query the location of the parcels through the Internet to get a better service experience. For example, in the United States, UPS company uses RFID technology to provide its customers with “door-to-door” services, so that customers can know the transportation status of the parcels in real time.
- Automatic sorting
In the courier distribution center, for a large number of packages and parcels, RFID technology is used to realize the automatic and high-speed sorting of parcels. In the case of my country’s private and small-scale courier companies generally using manual sorting by manpower, the application of RFID technology, together with the automatic sorting system, can greatly improve the sorting efficiency, and help courier companies to improve their competitiveness in the fierce industry. For example, in Hong Kong, SF Express uses RFID technology to achieve automatic sorting of parcels, and the sorting speed is increased by 50%.
- Asset management
For the reusable assets of courier companies such as vehicles and pallets, use the characteristics of RFID tags that can be read and written, enter the relevant information of assets into the RFID electronic tags, and then cooperate with relevant systems to realize the lean management of assets. For example, in Shanghai, Shentong Express uses RFID technology to realize vehicle management, through RFID tags to record the running track, fuel consumption, and other information of vehicles, providing data support for vehicle maintenance and management.
In general, RFID technology has broad application prospects in the courier industry, and can significantly improve the efficiency and level of the courier industry. With the continuous development of RFID technology and the reduction of costs, the application of RFID technology in the courier industry will become more popular.
Cases
China Post
China Post is one of the largest postal enterprises in the world, and it is also a pioneer in the application of RFID technology in the courier industry. China Post launched the RFID technology application demonstration project in the Shanghai Post Office. The main contents include: using RFID bags on mail bags, and realizing the automation and informatization of EMS total package processing through the electronic sub-bureau system, the central bureau production operation system, and automatic sorting equipment. Through the application of RFID technology in the whole process of data package total processing, the multi-link automatic verification and sorting of total package information is realized, the system recognition rate reaches more than 99%, and the total package sorting speed is increased by more than 20%.
SF Express
SF Express is a leading courier company in China, and it is also an active promoter of RFID technology application. SF Express uses RFID technology in the Hong Kong courier distribution center to achieve automatic sorting of parcels, and the sorting speed is increased by 50%.
Shentong Express
Shentong Express is one of the largest courier companies in China, and it is also an active explorer of RFID technology application. Shentong Express uses RFID technology in the Shanghai courier distribution center to realize vehicle management, through RFID tags to record the running track, fuel consumption, and other information of vehicles, providing data support for vehicle maintenance and management.
RFID technology has broad application prospects in the courier industry, and can significantly improve the efficiency and level of the courier industry. With the continuous development of RFID technology and the reduction of costs, the application of RFID technology in the courier industry will become more popular.