Iceland Post deploys Descartes’ route planning solution for expanding delivery operations

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Descartes Systems Group and Iceland Post have announced that Descartes' route planning solution is being deployed to manage delivery operations for Iceland Post as the company shifts its primary focus from mail to parcel delivery in support of the country's dramatic growth in ecommerce.

"Such a fundamental change to our business comes with various IT and logistics challenges, including the need to adapt delivery schedules to a growing number of last-minute parcel pickups," said Einar Geir Jónsson, Head of Business Development at Iceland Post. "The Descartes solution provides the advanced capabilities we need to transform our logistics processes and, in doing so, improve the responsiveness of our delivery operations and reach higher standards of customer service. We have already successfully implemented part of the solution, and are confident the collaboration with Descartes will help us successfully transition to a parcel delivery–focused company."

Iceland Post is using Descartes' strategic route modelling capabilities to analyze territories, service levels and daily route planning processes to develop the most cost-effective delivery strategy. For daily route execution, the company will use the cloud-based Descartes Route Planner On-demand solution to optimise static and dynamic routes, dispatch optimized routes, and provide a real-time, GPS-based view of driver movements and delivery status across the organisation.

The solutions will allow Iceland Post to adjust delivery schedules on the fly to accommodate customer needs, such as a change in address, even on the date of delivery, because a customer wants to accept a parcel delivery at work instead of home. Iceland Post will also use the solution to capture electronic proof-of-delivery and to provide customers with updates using pre- and post-delivery notification services.

"We are pleased to contribute to Iceland Post's business transition with our proven route planning and execution solutions," said Lars Persson, Sales Director Nordic Region at Descartes. "Adding Iceland Post to our client portfolio marks the start of our strategy to enable Nordic companies to compete more successfully in ecommerce and home delivery."