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2005 Press Releases
Pilot program completed in Hong Kong with great success
Hong Kong, November 23, 2005 - FedEx Express (FedEx), a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), announced today the expansion of its global wireless strategy with the planned rollout of the FedEx PowerPad across the international network. This expansion will build on the success of the pilot program in Hong Kong, which has already completed deploying the devices.
FedEx PowerPad will replace the current hand-held courier device, the FedEx SuperTracker, and will act as a personal gateway to convey data directly to and from the FedEx internal network. Bluetooth wireless technology and a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) connectivity network provide immediate information access, even when couriers are away from their delivery vans, revolutionizing the service level to customers by facilitating faster pick-ups.
"The global rollout of the FedEx PowerPad supports the FedEx international growth strategy by implementing technologies that help drive operational efficiency, produce cost savings and further benefit our customers," said Robert B. Carter, CIO of FedEx Corp. "This innovative device will also improve service at our customer 'touch points' by making couriers more effective."
FedEx plans to globally deploy 50,000 devices to FedEx couriers by 2008 and over 2,500 FedEx PowerPads will be deployed in Asia Pacific, namely Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, Malaysia, Korea, New Zealand, Guam and Macau, to ensure every courier will have his own device. The rollout in Asia Pacific is planned to be completed by 2007.
The initial FedEx PowerPad deployment includes electronic signature capture, electronic pickup manifest, hands-free data transmission and automatic scan transmission. The new device also enables dispatchers to schedule customer pickups faster and more efficiently.
Future enhancements will enable couriers to give better customer service and continue to reduce the time needed to process packages at pickup and delivery points.
With the international rollout of the FedEx PowerPad, FedEx continues to execute its wireless strategy, extending its commitment to innovation and global synchronicity. FedEx has invested more than $200 million globally over a period of five years in new wireless technologies and service implementation. The company continues to develop and utilize solutions that improve reliability and productivity, and make shipping information readily available to employees and customers worldwide.
"The feedback from our employees and customers in Hong Kong has reinforced the success of the program. We look forward to extending this wireless capability throughout the company network," said Linda C. Brigance, Vice President and Chief Information Officer, FedEx Express Asia Pacific. "In Asia Pacific, we will continue to execute our wireless strategy by rolling out solutions that make shipping information readily available to employees and customers."
FedEx has led the express transportation industry for more than two decades with significant innovations, including COSMOS, DADS, FedEx SuperTracker, FedEx PowerShip, FedEx shipping software, and an interactive Web site widely noted as one of the first examples of customer service on the Internet. The company pioneered the use of wireless technology for shipping more than 25 years ago when it created its own private radio network, one of the world's largest. FedEx was the first to offer real-time package-tracking and drop-off location information via most types of PDAs and wireless phones.
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