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DHL Post Facility

 Group Assinment
 Farid Sediqiani (TP023560)  Erfan Beiraghdar (TP024301)  Danial Kalbasi (TP024258)

Contents

Abstract Introduction Scenario Functionality Advantages Disadvantages Recommendation and proposals Conclusion Figures and References Word count

3 3 4 5 8 9 10 11 12 14

y Abstract
In this essay we aim to illustrate the influence of Computer and Information Technology (CIT) in recent with an emphasized scope on DHL Express organization. In another word, we explain how significant is the importance of IT role in this organization. Specifically in technological aspects which are assisting the DHL company in their affairs. Naturally every new-coming phenomenon has its own advantages and disadvantages that we will have a survey on them as well. Then there would be a part in which some recommendations and proposals have been made to boost the interaction between DHL and CIT. Of course this section is aroused by personal point views.

y Introduction
By bus, boat, plane or bicycle, from anywhere to mostly anywhere else you want, DHL Worldwide Express delivers. Overall, DHL links 120,000 destinations in about 230 countries and territories. The company has about 4,000 offices worldwide, and it operates a fleet of more than 250 aircraft. Affiliate

4 DHL Airways provides air cargo services in the US. Generally it was specifically cited for its practice of establishing its own local staff as any place as possible. (Figure 1)

Existence of such a service along with ordinary ones, is based on some privileges that costumers find in comparison with others. Speed and reliabity, which firstly was demanded from clients side and then it turned to DHL kind organizations to be set up. At DHL Express, it is very evident that speed, quality, and customer service are looked upon with a high sense of importance. Like many other companies, teamwork is the key. Although in some parts each employee works individually, but that work is focused towards a common goal for the area. As the time passes and demands goes farther, naturally engaged services in post departments alter. In past when there were no mankind-built vehicles, people felt disappointed in finding their packages to be delivered on time. After invention of transportations, still there were no policies on transporting packages to overseas. Indeed DHL, TNT, Express and are the moderator companies which actualize this in coordination with some other companies and departments. What were going to focus, in this effort, is the integration of specifically DHL with IT technology. And we will uncover sorts of technologies enabling DHL ease the way for: 12The company itself (the ways for setting up communicational strategies) And for his costumers (the ways to inform the costumers about whats relevant to them

and provide accessing on it)

y Scenario
In the point view of the DHL, Information Technology includes all the shortcuts that the Computer and modern technology provides for post departments. As we said todays managerial systems have allocate a dramatic portion of their processes to the IT based methods. At first glance IT represents to us as computer and machines while it goes beyond this fact.

5 IT Services is one of the largest service lines of the Global Business Services (GBS) division. It consists of more than 5,000 people serving the business units of DHL post across Europe, Americas and Asia-Pacific. As a global logistics group, DHL increasingly relies on modern IT solutions. Integrated applications and high-performance systems are important prerequisites for success in the worldwide logistics market with its unique growth potentials. (Dutch DHL website, 2011) IT is a key competitive factor for the Group. A top-performing IT organization is the backbone of the Group's business. It enables customers to interface with the business units anytime and anywhere. So we understand that these modern services are not only paving the way for post facility, but also the customers are taking benefit out of it. Following the company's IT split into Demand and Supply, IT Services is a single professional Supply Organization that aims at offering, Run (operation) and Integration IT services to the business units of the DHL. It strives for best-in-class services in terms of cost and quality. The aim is to increase IT efficiency, leverage a world-class infrastructure, provide transparent and defined services globally and support global expansion. DHL has wide range coordination with Airports, Local post departments, Shopping websites, Global Positioning Systems, Networks and banks. Such a large involvedness with other organs, demands positioned staffs and a method to connect them all together. This method is being complied by IT. Thats why information technology exposes its valuable dignity. For example DHL facility needs to know the flight time tables of core airports over the world. Or as being a monetary, it needs a vast relationship with banks to maintain necessary transaction universally. Looking from a different aspect, IT itself is an income generator for DHL. Now a days people are starting to render shopping from online stores. These online websites need a department to affiliate with on shipment processes. Consider that these websites are relied on Internet and technology and without them there were no online stores and subsequently no shipment was demanded for DHL facility. This is called indirect influential effect of IT on post facility whose impress is definitely undeniable.

y Functionality

6 As brought in previous sections, technology means much in the viewpoint of organizations. Here were going to describe how systems are functioning and processing on IT bases. We talked on obvious effect of technology and mentioned the main fields in which this element comes handy. Lets have an overview on different steps of processing methods in DHL and relate information technology amidst with them.

Shipment solutions:
In this case firstly costumer refers to the nearest post office but theres another new service that enables clients to offer their shipment online. DHL Web Shipping is the online shipping solution that helps you prepare and manage express domestic and international shipments. You can print labels, schedule pickups, store contact details, track your shipments and much more all directly from your computer. If speed and accuracy is what you need, DHL Web Shipping will streamline your shipment process and eliminate messy paperwork. Ideal for busy small business owners, office managers and business traveler. DHL Web Shipping is free, secure and needs no special software or training. It can be known as the initial impact in shipment process in which IT roles. Next step is billing that can be rendered in many ways. Traditional way is to pay it in cash personally at the office but still things are being eased via e-Billing. DHL has already begun using e-billing in Europe, and expects to continue its existing success. (Post and Parcels, 2009)

Process and Tracking solutions:

After preliminary steps, the parcel or package is delivered to the post facility and the DHL is accountable for a rapid and safe transportation. On a daily basis, post offices transfer the packages into the nearest airport by the specific vehicles labeled DHL logo on them. These packages will be classified due to their weight, size, contexts and destination. If staffs find anything suspicious in package appearance, either they open it or use Ray machines to check the contexts. This system is also involved with IT taken from the machine to the computer and software (EasyShip) they use.

7 After necessitous assessments, parcels will be identified by a label and then data is stamped on it, including a barcode that enables both, facility and costumers with ranges of availabilities. The barcode is a unique pattern representing identity of each pack. This special pattern is created by the EasyShip software and will be stored in system until months after delivery and it is a beginning for tracing service and roles as inductor between the physical package and systematic database. Means after on, the parcel means nothing, instead, the barcode comes important when referring to that package. Machines that upload and download the cargoes, codes that were written for how they must move in each joint and the soft wares which moderate on their jobs authenticity are other examples of technological assistance. As the cargo gets closer to destination, there are tools in each location and airport detecting the barcode and sent them to online database. More interesting is that human, has the least portion in this process and mostly all these interactions are being done automatically by machines and networks. I past years, when IT was not vastly engaged, staffs had to write down the numbers in each step. While currently they are owed to Information Technology with all the services it provides. Usually LANnetworks are being use to connect relevant systems but in places that wires cannot be used, then Wireless technology is being utilized. As a sample, deliverer men who pass the ultimate steps of the process, are equipped by Wi-Fi sets that enables them communicate with online database as soon as they delivered the package to the receiver. Motorola MC9090 barcode scanner is well suited for scan intensive applications and the availability of RFID configurations means this device can do most anything you need it to. (Lev B. ,2008 [online journal]) In Malaysia DHL couriers riding on yellowish vans possess something like this with bit differentiations. As I researched and ask it from one of my university personnel,
(Mohammad Javad Nematollahi, 2011-Jan-21), DHL transferor in Malaysia are handed

with sets in which a sim card establishes Wi-Fi connection over network operators such as Di-Fi and Maxis or any other Telecommunication network. All available just by once locating the barcode in front of devices sensor, in the period of milliseconds.

8 If the customer would have his packages barcode, he will be able to track the package from post facility right up to the details who have taken his pack on destination! Because the process will not be accomplished until the receiver is identified and pledged by signing the shit. (Figure 2)

y Advantages
Accessibility:
Our world today has changed a great deal with the aid of Computer and Information Technology. The significance of CIT can be seen from the fact that it has penetrated almost every aspect of our daily lives from business to leisure and even society. In DHL things that were once done manually or by hand have now become computerized operating systems, which simply require a single click of a mouse to get a task completed. With the aid of IT we are not only able to stream line our business processes but we are also able to get constant information in real time that is up to the minute and up to date.

Cost and power deduction:

Taking the IT aside for a moment, we needed human power and mind for these steps that was followed by higher investments amidst by higher fault percentage. It has also helped with cost effectiveness by streamlining business processes which has increased productivity. DHL has successfully achieved its goal of global service desk coherence, thus attaining a significant reduction in costs and standardization across their service desk platform. The ITIL based solution rolled out by DHL serves the growing need of more than 170,000 users around the globe, delivering agility through quality IT services that support the sustained growth of DHLs worldwide business.
(Development companies, 2005)

Green Logistic:
Another advantage is the environmental logistics. Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing our generation. Increasingly authorities and consumers expect business to calculate, account for and reduce their carbon emissions. CO2 accounting is a new science and there is no single way of calculating it. As a result of replacing online and computerized procedures with papers, DHL expects to save the equivalent of 2,400 trees and has offset over 50,000 tons of carbon dioxide for its customers, compared with 38,500 tons of CO2 last year. (Post and Parcel,2009)

Time Saving:
As the flight timetable and other influential aspects are being assessed by intelligent systems, always the shortest and fastest air paths are chosen for transfers. Which itself reduces the time waste and power consummation. These are the elements that Green politics emphasizes on.

y Disadvantages Usage Difficulties:

Meanwhile CIT has some drawbacks and flaws towards the organization. By engaging new modern systems, educating employees and customers on how to use factors has become the main concern. Although this issue can be resolved for employees by some instructions, but many clients are unaware of the ways they could access informations online or how to trace the Shipment. In first glance it cannot be counted a disadvantage of IT but as we go further this may cause problems between two sides.

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Privacy Concerns:
Also, though information technology may have made communication quicker, easier and more convenient, it has also bought along privacy issues. Industry experts believe that the internet has made job security a big issue as since technology keeps on changing with each day. These data storages can be kinds of information about personal packs or any other information along with money transactions. This means that one has to be in a constant learning mode, if he or she wishes for their job to be secure.

Unemployment:
While information technology may have streamlined the shipment process it has also crated job redundancies, downsizing and outsourcing. This means that a lot of lower and middle level jobs have been done away with causing more people to become unemployed.

y Impact
Global shippers like DHL help solve international e-commerce distribution complexities. For example, to make currency conversions easier. If the customer wishes to pay with other currencies, then system takes over the transaction and translates the price into any of currencies, Collect the payment from the customer and pays DHL in dollar or Euro. (Marketing, 2010) In DHL, technology roles very essentially as it helps them plan more organized. So many routines are based on what technology decides to be best. In fact it is leads and facility tries to integrate with it. Each of advisor should arrange in a way that systems calculations prefer. Complexity of computerized equipment in DHL, demands employees baring higher educational resume and knowledge. So the companys preconditions in employment may have varied from what it was in past.

11 The structure of organization has been changed and mostly many tasks are being administrated by CIT instead of humans. Maybe we can interpret it a big change in human duties in organization. Previously in absence of internet, most of the advertisements were published in TV or general publications but now the advertising is experiencing a new era also. DHL is owed its fame mainly on online advertisement. So instead of spending this budget on other places, facility tends to focus in virtual world fields. Where, other competitors found an appropriate place on investments and attracting more customers.

y Recommendations and proposals

Among all other rivals, Dutch post (DHL Express) which has an origin of Germany, has gained noticeable promotions in recent years. This company could involve Information Technology in many ways for both itself and people who choose this company as their transporter. Although, there are still some shortcomings. In comparison with the other post facility (TNT), Dutch posts tracking system is built on an AutoRespond mail system and it could be as easy as inserting relevant fields in its official website. Just like TNT in which you enter the tracking number and find the details by one click. Me, personally have encountered with failure when trying to track my package on mail. Or sometimes we experience dalliance while the customer expects an immediate and accurate detail.

y Conclusion
As a conclusion we can say without Computers and technology, many organization cant survive. Without IT, the condition will be even more difficult that the time before it invented by human race. Were living in an Information society now, strictly bounded by technology. Assume if we didnt have the privilege of surfing online, how we could make sure our packs arrive on time or to the right person. By calling them? Isnt communication relied on IT either?

12 As an anticipation IT will grow to the extend that human is no longer praised to handle the slightest affairs and thats the time that Information Technology will be harmful since it is over implemented. Where, people will hardly find themselves sufficient in finding a job. Its always apt to take advantages of CIT in organizations such as Post facilities but meanwhile we should be aware of its misusing side effects.

y Figures and References:

(Figure 1)

Type Industry Founded on Headquarters Key People of Organization

Division Express Logistics 1969 Bonn, Germany Frank Appel (CEO, Chairman) Adrian Dalsey (co-founder) Larry Hillbolm (co-founder) Robert Lynn (co-founder) DHL Express worldwide, Express Deutsche Post DHL 500,000 (in 2009) www.dhl.com.my

Products Owner Employees Official Website

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(Figure 2)

Dutch DHL website,(2011).Powering Business from the Inside.[online].Available at: http://www.dpdhl.com/en/about_us/corporate_divisions/it_services.html [Accessed in February 2011]

Post and Parcel,(2009). DHL goes green.[online].Available at: http://postandparcel.info/23004/environment-in-depth/dhl-goes-green-with-e-billing-service/ [Accessed in February 2011]

L.P Hewlett, (2005), Development companies , 1st edition, Packard publication [5983-1133EE] , p. 205, NewYork

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Lev B. , (2008), Typical Package Tracking Solution, , [Online], Volume 34 (Issue 2), pp 107-124, http://www.barcoding.com/tracking-software/barcode_packages_tracking.shtml, [Accessed February 2011]

Lamb C. W. and Hair J. F. (2010), Marketing , 4th edition, Carl publication, p. 156, Massachusette

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Word count:

 

Entire document: 2,878 words Except for Initial Page, Content , Conclusion, References and Figures : 2,541

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