Geis knows how and where

In the Czech central hub of Geis, a video surveillance solution from DIVIS monitors all goods movements in the parcel and general cargo area.

Integrated sorter

"Packaging quality plays an important role in the entire delivery process and is therefore monitored by us," explains Aleš Vykydal, Operations Manager at Geis Parcel CZ. With his team, he ensures a virtually flawless handling. He is supported by ParcelVIS, a video solution for parcel tracking from DIVIS. It processes the footage of 171 indoor and 30 outdoor cameras and links it to the manual and automatic barcode scans from both sorting levels. For this purpose DIVIS has realized an interface between the sorting system of VanRiet and ParcelVIS.
The solution is in use around the clock at Geis and stores records consisting of parcel label numbers, timestamps and camera information in a local database. "Using the parcel label numbers, we can track the movement path of each parcel until the transfer of liability," notes Vykydal, whose employees use ParcelVIS to search for individual shipments several times a day. The cause of the research may be, for example, damage, customer complaints or quantity differences between the Central Hub and another Geis branch.

Clear evidence

Also problematic are the packages originating from smaller senders, who sometimes re-use boxes with barcode labels already attached to them. If these double labels are overlooked in the incoming goods, packages with multiple labels circulate in the sorting system, which leads to problems. However, this happens very rarely and can be tracked down quickly with the help of ParcelVIS. The same applies to other causes of damage: "If we detect defective packaging or damage, we can use ParcelVIS to determine exactly if and at which point the damage was caused to us," explains Vykydal, who can thus provide clear evidence. Last but not least, the training requirements of individual employees and the smooth functioning of the automatic sorter can be demonstrated in this way.
Particularly important in this context are the LED headlamps mounted on the unloading and loading gates, which illuminate the entire load compartment of the vehicle at the ramp. The lamps are combined with cameras so that every shipment from the first to the last step of handling can be clearly seen under good lighting conditions. "We do not miss a millimeter and see at the entrance gate, when a truck has been loaded poorly, and can respond immediately," emphasizes Vykydal, who had already campaigned for DIVIS as a system supplier during the selection phase. For the German video experts, it was the first order from the Geis Group that had previously cooperated with other manufacturers in the Czech Republic.