Going global with what3words and Aramex

Addressing around the world simply isn’t good enough. 75% of countries suffer from poor or non-existent addressing. And for the 25% who do have a reliable address, packages still go astray, couriers get lost and local businesses can’t be found.

Something needs to be done to make addressing better.

A 3 word solution

what3words is a precise yet simple addressing system. It uses a global grid of 3m x 3m squares, assigning each one a unique 3 word address.

It’s more accurate than a postal address and more memorable than GPS coordinates. It means people can pinpoint a specific location on the planet and communicate it more quickly and easily than any other method. The system is helping to optimise business, drive social and economic development, and ultimately save lives.

Making the ‘Last Mile’ matter

One of the biggest challenges facing global logistics firms is in finding a standardised way to locate and confirm delivery destinations. National addressing systems vary by country and are often far from adequate. GPS-based navigation systems are consistent, accurate and machine-friendly but difficult to understand and prone to human error.

That’s where what3words can make the difference, and why global logistics giant, Aramex, now uses the system for its e-commerce fulfilment operations. The 3 word address construct is always consistent, whether a package is bound for the coast of Africa or the heart of Asia. And each unique address can be used by tracking software and delivery drivers alike.

Aramex aims to use 3 word addresses to significantly optimise the crucial ‘Last Mile’ of delivery, which accounts for as much as 28% of the total delivery cost. Without an accurate address or specific location, drivers are often forced to drive around trying to find a destination, or have to abandon the delivery altogether.

In contrast, a 3 word address means a delivery driver can reliably pinpoint the delivery location down to a unique 3x3m square, anywhere in the world. And that means goods arrive at their intended destinations first time, on time.

“We are pleased to be partnering with what3words”, said Hussein Hachem, CEO of Aramex. “By integrating 3 word addresses into our e-commerce operations across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, we are better able to reach more consumers worldwide, even those in difficult to access locations”.

what3words and you

Without a precise addressing infrastructure, delivery and logistics becomes both challenging and costly. Every extra minute spent searching for a residential address, a pick up point or a specific location is time and money that will hit your bottom line.

For affected individuals, the lack of a reliable address means time wasted waiting for couriers to arrive, frustration having to give directions over the phone and, in some cases, packages simply never turning up.

Our partnership with Aramex is just one of the many ways we’re helping logistics and delivery companies – at a local, national and international level – optimise their operations.