TNT Express employs ‘text’ tracking

TNT International Express, one of the leading business logistics solutions companies, further embraces the wireless revolution with the launch of a worldwide SMS (short messaging service) or "text" tracking facility.

This new service allows customers with mobile phones to track international consignments by consignment number or customer reference number – quickly and easily – through a single convenient number.

Wherever they are, customers can keep track of their parcel by simply sending their consignment number or customer reference via SMS to +639189679999.

Simply compose a message following this format: write the letter C (for consignment number) or R (for reference number) then space, then write consignment number or reference number and then send to +639189679999.

TNT International Express will then send back a real-time response to the customer’s mobile, quickly providing them details of current consignment status and full delivery details, including the date and time of delivery and even the signatory.

TNT International Express developed the SMS tracking application to provide customers with a fast and reliable alternative for consignment tracking to suit their increasingly mobile business practices.

Text messaging is an established and familiar means to communicate for many people, according to the GSM Association, with more than 15 billion SMS messages sent globally last December alone.

As an instant service, SMS tracking is also an economical option, saving TNT customers time and money spent on mobile phone calls to determine the status of their packages.

Igal Nagar, e-commerce product development manager at TNT Express, said, "We anticipate SMS consignment tracking to prove to be a big success with our customers. SMS is an increasingly popular method of communications, and now TNT Express’ customers and their businesses can benefit from this new technology by tracking their consignments with the most common digital mobile phones."

In addition to the SMS tracking facility, customers can also check their consignments through TNT’s e-mail tracking service which allows any customer with e-mail facilities to access up-to-the-minute information on the progress of his/her consignment, whatever time of day.

TNT developed the e-mail tracking service in response to customer feedback. Customers can also access the e-mail service on the move via mobile phones or handheld devices that offer e-mail facilities.

Customers can check on the progress of up to 50 consignments at a time by sending details of their shipments via e-mail to [email protected]. Using either consignment numbers or their own references, customers send their e-mail inquiries to the central TNT system, and receive e-mail replies that provide a full status report on each consignment, from collection and delivery times to the name of the person who signed for the shipment.