5 ways that what3words is helping logistics companies improve efficiencies

Without a precise addressing infrastructure, delivery and logistics become both challenging and costly. The last mile of a parcel’s journey reaches or exceeds 50% of the total delivery cost. 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.

In 2015/16, consumers experienced 4.8 million delivery problems – spending 11.8 million hours trying to sort them out. With parcel shipping volumes set to surge 20% by 2018, never has it been more important for logistics firms be able to deliver to businesses and people with no addresses, and increase efficiency where addressing is inaccurate or inadequate.

what3words is helping logistics and delivery companies – at a local, national and international level – optimise their operations and improve customer satisfaction.

1. Optimising the last mile with Direct Today

In the UK, more than 6 million deliveries a year suffer from addressing problems.

Since integrating what3words into their platform in February 2016, UK courier Direct Today has seen an 83% reduction in orders failing to reach customers on the first attempt.

2. Aramex partnership

Operating in 60 countries around the world, logistics giant Aramex is using 3 word addresses in its e-commerce fulfilment operations across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. This has enabled them to reach more consumers, even those in difficult to access locations.

3. Delivering progress in Mongolia, Cote d’Ivoire, Sint Maarten, Djibouti and Tonga

Over the past year, what3words has been adopted as an addressing standard in five countries. In June 2016, Mongol Post became the first national postal delivery service to make the 3 word address system integral to its operations, enabling citizens to enjoy accurate and reliable mail deliveries, wherever they live.

Côte d’Ivoire became the first African nation to adopt 3 word addresses in December 2016, as part of a drive to improve national infrastructure and unlock the economic potential of the country . And since the start of 2017, St. Maarten , Tonga and Djibouti have all announced their adoption of what3words as an addressing standard for national postal delivery.

4. Addressing the favelas

Rochina, the largest favela in Brazil, is a maze of thousands of tiny roads and alleys. A local co-operative, Carteiro Amigo (Friendly Postman) is using the what3words mobile app to offer 3 word addresses to the favela’s residents. It means that for the first time ever, residents can get their mail and online shopping purchases delivered direct to their door.

5. Medicine delivery to South African townships

Iyeza Express is a bike courier service that operates in the sprawling urban settlement of Khayelitsha. They collect essential medicines from hospitals and clinics, then deliver to the homes of patients too sick to make the journey themselves. Iyeza Express use the what3words mobile app to locate customer addresses and deliver direct to their doorstep , making it an essential tool for delivery success and business efficiency.

As we continue to integrate new technologies into our daily lives, so the role of precise and reliable addressing becomes ever more important. Better addressing enhances the customer experience, delivers business efficiency, drives growth and supports the social and economic development of countries.