Spring 2007

Following its acquisition of Target Express (Fulfilment & e.logistics, last issue), City Link has been using the GeoConcept mapping and geographical information system from MapMechanics to help plan integration of the two networks.

'There are significant areas of overlap,' says Tim Burge, general manager for network development, 'but GeoConcept will help us come up with a logical plan to address this issue, and will also help us identify areas where we may still need to extend our presence by taking on new property.'

City Link has already been using GeoConcept in a separate programme to convert its existing branch network from a franchised system to a corporately-owned branch business model. It plans to complete the buyback programme by the third quarter of this year.

Among opportunities raised by full ownership, Burge says isochrone (travel time) analysis has revealed opportunities to offer later collection cut-off times at some locations.