PostNL gives 250,000 roll containers Bluetooth trackers to track parcels better

PostNL will equip a quarter of a million roll containers with Bluetooth beacons to track the containers. In the future, all containers should have these trackers. For example, webshops will soon be able to track return orders better and provide customers with better information.

The data from the bluetooth trackers is brought together in an iot platform. Here, PostNL can, for example, see where a container is located and how the supply chain can be improved. Webshops also need to gain insight into the data. Companies that deliver orders to consumers via PostNL can then better track and plan the collection of packages, packaging and return flows. Webshops can also pass this information on to their customers. In this way, a consumer will soon have a better idea of ​​where a product is when it has been returned to the web store.

With the beacons, PostNL says that journeys between depots and to and from customers can be planned more efficiently. This is better from a cost point of view, but should also yield environmental benefits. PostNL expects that trucks will transport less empty space. The company expects to need the whole year to supply the 250,000 roll containers with beacons. The dashboards to follow the trackers are also not finished yet. PostNL starts the project in the sorting center in Zaltbommel.