November 2002

Fulfilment systems specialist MetaPack has launched a hosted ASP version of its multi-carrier management system, DACE, in a bid to attract users hit by the recent upheaval in the parcels market. Its biggest existing customer, Wellbeing, says the system has already helped it reduce costs by 25 per cent and improve service levels to 5 per cent above the industry average.

According to MetaPack's sales and marketing director Nigel Rzemieniecki, moves by Parcelforce Worldwide and other carriers to reduce capacity "have left a number of retailers who support single-carrier operations high and dry, particularly in the run-up to Christmas."

DACE aims to route consignments automatically via the best available carrier, depending on volume, destination and required service level. The outsourced application service provider version is intended to get the system up and running quickly.

Wellbeing has opted for a multi-carrier strategy right from the start, offering a range of delivery options to customers. According to chief operating officer Mark Dearnley: "During periods when either we or the carriers have operational challenges, we are able to move parcels between services and carriers to ensure that our customers always get what they asked for."