Mumbai: Leading International air express service, the US $5 billion DHL Worldwide Express, is leveraging the Internet in many ways. Close on the heels of offering e-commerce applications `Easyship' or `EDI' wherein the existing customers can process their own orders and link it to the shipment management system, the company plans to complete a global electronic hub by the end of 2000.Says DHL Worldwide Express marketing director Asia Pacific/Middle East Mr Phil Yang: "This e-hub is in response to our customers' needs for more information. What the e-hub does is carry packets of data about individual shipments which customers can access anytime, thus allowing them to accurately track their shipments."
DHL is providing two technologies for wireless access to www.DHL.com over the past two months. For the purpose, DHL has launched mobile tracking, Short Message Service (SMS) for tracking parcel anywhere in the world and WAP tracking services to allow quicker access to shipment information.
Secondly, the `Clean in Air' (CIA) initiative will digitally forward all documentation related to an express package before the package lands on Indian soil. This facilitates customs clearance even before the arrival of the package, claims Mr Yang.
He adds: "For DHL customers this will allow self control over shipment tracking."
According to DHL Worldwide Express, general manager S Raghunandhan: "At present, the company is in the process of developing its own new e-commerce tools such as DHL Connect, Easyship 2000 and Webship. The company has launched the DHL Web site called www.dhlmasterclass.com in May 2000 enabling customers to develop their own e-commerce strategy."
DHL India serves 400 destinations and utilises four international gateways/hubs and 17 other sorting centres which the company plans to expand to 25 in the near future.
Says Mr Yang: "As part of the marketing strategy, efficient supply chain management is the key to our services. Our logistics services will attract new dot.com companies."
The company has its private intranet network, DHL WorldNet, which helps the company's employees work together within DHL to facilitate shipment movements more efficiently, according to Mr Yang.
He adds: "By converging the physical supply chain with electronics, the company plans to further improve its customers' supply chain management processes while reducing costs."
Of the total $15 billion courier industry, DHL Worldwide's marketshare stands at 60 per cent globally and 40 per cent in India, which is growing in shipment terms at 10 per cent a year, claims Mr Yang.
Copyright © 2000 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.