Report: Express delivery providers are focused on information technology

Express delivery service providers are turning to a range of IT-enabled strategies in an effort to improve the efficiency of their operations while keeping up with growing e-commerce volumes, a market research study shows.

Express delivery service vendors in North America are implementing technologies such as communication services, global positioning service (GPS) tracking, real-time online tracking, automatic updating of records, 2-D barcode, 3-D readers, and radio frequency identification (RFID), according to the report from London-based analyst firm Research and Markets.

Those technologies can help improve speed, accuracy, and reliability compared to manual operations as the firms deliver parcels and documents to retail customers, business accounts, and government agencies, Research and Markets said.

Improving efficiency will be critical as the market sees fast growth over the next five years, expanding at a 5.72 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR), according to the report, "Express Delivery Market in North America 2017-2021."

The report tracked trends at five major vendors, including A1 Express, Deutsche Post DHL Group, FedEx Corp., UPS Inc., and the U.S. Postal Service. Researchers also included regional firms such as American Expediting, Apple Express, Aramex, Deliv, Estafeta USA, King and Mexico Express, NAPAREX, Purolator, TFI International, and Tucson- Mexico Express.