Brussels, Belgium - November 25, 2005 - FedEx Express (NYSE: FDX) announced today the continued execution of its global wireless strategy across Europe and the <st1:place w:st="on"> Middle East</st1:place>, and with the deployment of 10,000 additional FedEx PowerPads globally.
The new technology will be rolled out across the region in the UK, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, France and the United Arab Emirates, as part of a global plan to deploy 50,000 devices to FedEx Express couriers in more than 60 countries by 2007.
The FedEx PowerPad increases courier efficiency and enhances customer service by providing near-real-time, wireless access to the FedEx network by enabling couriers to send and receive real-time information when away from their delivery vans.
FedEx PowerPad will replace the current hand-held courier device, the FedEx SuperTracker, and will act as a personal gateway to convey data directly to and from the FedEx internal network. Bluetooth wireless technology and a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) connectivity network provide immediate information access, revolutionising the level of service offered to customers by facilitating faster pick-ups and reduced transit times.
The initial FedEx PowerPad deployment includes electronic signature capture, electronic pickup manifest, hands-free data ransmission and automatic scan transmission. The new device also enables dispatchers to schedule customer pickups faster and more efficiently.
Future enhancements will enable couriers to give better customer service and continue to reduce the time needed to process packages from pickup to delivery.
Eric Keane, Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Europe, Middle East and Africa, said, “FedEx is continually innovating and designing new technologies to help us provide our customers with ever-greater levels of service, and this is the latest example of this. We have always been a front runner in the wireless technology area, and were the first company to make shipping and tracking information available to customers online at our pioneering website www.fedex.com.”
“The extended rollout of the FedEx PowerPad will help us in continuing to drive operational efficiency, produce cost savings and add further benefit to our customers by making our couriers even more effective”, added Keane.
Following the successful deployment of the devices in Hong Kong, and the current implementation in Europe and the Middle East, the roll out will also extend to the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Taiwan and Singapore.
FedEx will have invested more than US $200 million globally over a period of five years in new wireless technologies and service implementation. The company continues to develop and utilize solutions that improve reliability and productivity, and make shipping information readily available to employees and customers worldwide.
FedEx has led the express transportation industry for more than two decades with significant innovations, including COSMOS, DADS, FedEx SuperTracker, FedEx PowerShip and FedEx shipping software.
The company pioneered the use of wireless technology for shipping more than 25 years ago when it created its own private radio network, one of the world’s largest. FedEx was the first to offer real-time package-tracking and drop-off location information via most types of PDAs and wireless phones.
About FedEx Express
FedEx Express is the world’s largest express transportation company, providing fast and reliable delivery to every U.S.address and to more than 220 countries and territories. FedEx Express uses a global air-and-ground network to speed delivery of time-sensitive shipments, usually in one to three business days with the delivery time guaranteed.
About FedEx Corp.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $30 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brands. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 250,000 employees and contractors to remain “absolutely, positively” focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit www.fedex.com.