Time:matters is automating the tracking process for its shipments, which it says will deliver a number of operational advantages.

The speed logistics service which is a part of the Lufthansa Cargo group says selected courier partners are linked with time:matters’ booking system via a direct system interface, meaning all relevant information can be exchanged automatically.

This will do away with the need for additional communication between time:matters and its sub-contractors, such as Stadtbote, a courier service.

“Orders are now send to our system directly via an interface. This enables us to work much more quickly and efficiently,” says Stadtbote chief executive officer, Peter Karstens.

Couriers receive all the key information on a shipment directly from time:matters. They can also enter details of the delivery process directly into time:matters’ system.

This information is compiled by the courier in a web app (an app that can be accessed using a web browser) and can then be immediately sent to the customer.

This mobile front end is already being used by 100 courier partners for tracking entries. Further linking the system to a flight database enables a quick response to flight delays and cancellations.

Automated tracking simplifies and speeds up the shipment process. Automatically obtaining tracking information has already increased to 80 per cent, corresponding to some 350,000 tracking points per year.

The system also makes it easy to visualise complicated orders. In addition, process automation reduces the error rate for all involved. Errors in forwarding the order details are now a thing of the past when submitting the order to the courier.

The accounting processes for the companies involved are also simplified since the orders are sent through the system without paper records and are automatically saved as “completed”. All this means that time:matters is operating with significantly greater efficiency, allowing it to process customer requests more effectively.

Time:matters chief operating officer, Christian Mörtl says: “Above all, as a further step in digitizing the logistics chain, process automation represents a major gain for our customers: They receive information that is more reliable more quickly than before and are always kept up-to-date on the current status of their shipment.”

time:matters says it is focusing its energies on digitising processes and tailor-made solutions to achieve greater speed and high quality standards.