APC's NetDespatch-powered 'Velocity' web service allows APC's customers to book and manage their entire delivery operations via the web and the service has proved a big hit with retailers, catalogue firms and Internet shopping sites.

The NetDespatch services completely eliminate all of the paperwork normally associated with parcel shipments.  Any customer can now simply fill out a booking form online that automatically produces a unique bar coded label for each parcel. It also links direct to customer order websites of sales centres eliminating data entry completely.

APC Manchester is a founder member of APC Overnight, the next day delivery network comprising 120 depots and 2000 delivery vans.  Manchester is home some of Britain's largest catalogue and Internet retailers and getting goods to their destination quickly is increasingly vital to keeping ahead of competitors.

"The NetDespatch web service is a really important innovation,” says Peter Gill, Managing Director of APC Manchester. "Anyone can simply log onto our website and book in a delivery.  It is a lot quicker than handwriting forms, especially as addresses are saved and auto-entered. 

"It also ensures delivery addresses are more accurate which is very important.  When we come to collect the parcel, labels are already produced and work is pre-booked so we can better plan our schedules".

NetDespatch Velocity also provides quotes and allows each consignment to be tracked, with confirmation of delivery sent automatically by e-mail.  Being an easy to access web service, companies can check on shipments from anywhere and the all previous shipment details are available instantly for checking back and producing useful management reports.

"The web service is proving a real hit with local companies looking to expand and deliver goods nationally.  In particular those selling via the Internet need to get their goods to their customers who can be located anywhere. 

"The NetDespatch Velocity service links to their own online shopping carts to create a completely electronic system using customer address details entered during ordering.  But everyone likes the system and from just a handful of 'online' customers a few years ago, almost 60% now book their shipments on the web" says Pete Sayward, APC's Sales Manager.