HAND HELD PRODUCTS SIGNS MAJOR CONTRACT WITH LA POSTE SUBSIDIARY

Hand Held Products, the worldwide leader in image-based data collection solutions, has signed a $10 million pan-European agreement with DPD, a subsidiary of La Poste and part of the Geopost group. This involves hardware and software for an automated delivery scan system.

DPD tested solutions from several vendors before choosing Hand Held Products' Dolphin 9500 as the basis of its new system. The 9500 is a rugged mobile computer with powerful scanning capabilities and a triple radio with GSM / GPRS, wireless LAN and Bluetooth applications. DPD is initially purchasing over 6,000 customised Dolphins for its depots and delivery trucks in Germany, Switzerland and Benelux.

By automating the delivery process, DPD aims to minimise costs and boost efficiency. Drivers will use the Dolphins to scan parcels before loading, and to capture customer signatures on delivery. Customers can follow a parcel's progress via DPD's online track 'n' trace system.

Hand Held Products is already the preferred supplier of mobile tracking and tracing equipment for all Geopost European subsidiaries. One company, Chronopost, has installed 8,000 Dolphins.

Chris Oehlund, DPD's CEO, says: "Hand Held Products' extensive experience in the transport and logistics market and its long history of pan-European projects, achieved on time and on budget, convinced us that it had the best credentials. The company was highly recommended by Chronopost, which is very happy with its products and excellent service levels."

Roel Vreeburg, Managing Director, EMEA, for Hand Held Products, responds: "This agreement shows that our approach of working with our customers, rather than just for them, pays off. Implementing the solution is just the beginning: project management and after-sales support is what really counts."

Dolphin 9500 Series Data Sheet

The Dolphin 9500 series mobile computers deliver unparalleled performance and value for all mobile data collection applications. Their lightweight, ergonomic, and rugged designs provide the ease of use and operational reliability needed to excel in robust mobile applications such as package delivery, field service, route accounting, transportation, warehousing, retail, and industrial/manufacturing.