Intelligent Shipping

Largest-ever European study of the use of parcel shipping services and intelligent systems for managing use of carriers

Pitney Bowes commissioned Stepping Stones to study the European software market for multicarrier management systems. These are intelligent systems for the management of shipping amongst multiple carriers. Pitney Bowes is a major global player in the provision of such software, which helps firms to optimise costs and make better use of carriers' respective strengths.

Based on the number of respondents overall, this is probably the largest-ever European study (Germany, UK, Netherlands) of the market. The study took place in the summer of 2006, beginning with desk research, and continuing with an online research survey. It was led by Angus Jenkinson who wrote and publsied the report, which is available free to download.

To obtain the report, click the document link.

Key Findings - examples

• The single most important benefit of multi-carrier software is to reduce costs
• Most companies investing in specialist multi-carrier software achieved a very rapid return on investment.
• The categories most likely to use specialist software were engineering, online retail, consumer products, financial business services and publishing.
• Users of specialist software provide more extensive services to customers, are better able to deal with operational complexity and saved costs.
• Paid-for specialist software has a wider range of function. Users were more satisfied on every functional benefit that multicarrier software provides.
• Providers of free software left users dissatisfied on every single factor.
• Use of paid for software is likely to continue to increase.
• Whilst Germany seems to be a mature market, the UK is clearly lagging in adoption of such software.