Spring 2008

ParcelXchange box banks from UK overnight parts delivery specialist Business Direct have been installed in Finland in a project to trial their use for home shopping collections by consumers.

Express carrier Itella is operating three of the box banks, one in Helsinki. This is the first implementation of the company's boxes outside Britain, and follows an initiative led by Business Direct co-founder Tim Houston to market licences to use the software, hardware and intellectual property in overseas markets.

The banks of boxes have 50 to 100 parcel lockers each, and customers receive text messages informing them when a parcel is delivered. Managing director Paul Carvell says similar box banks have been performing successfully in business-to-consumer trials in the UK, where they are positioned conveniently in supermarket car parks and garage forecourts.

In order to meet Itella's requirements, Business Direct has introduced the ability for consumers to identify themselves by entering a PIN code (issued at the time of purchase) when collecting their goods. In UK trials currently under way, the company has been using credit card swiping for consumer identification, but it will now add the PIN code feature as an alternative.