Seabourne Express Courier has revolutionised its operations by using NetDespatch web services to automate worldwide bookings for its international delivery services. The technology is also simplifying integration allowing a seamless flow of information between Seabourne and its local delivery partners.

Perhaps the most significant development has been integration with NetDespatch web services involving shipments from the Netherlands to the UK. Details of UK destination shipments held on Seabourne's own systems are interchanged with Seabourne's UK parcel carrier. NetDespatch web servers provide a centralised system for managing each shipment with tracking from several locations in Holland through to final delivery.

One of the biggest benefits is labelling; with Seabourne able to print UK carrier parcel labels at their Dutch distribution centre, when consignments arrive in the UK, they are already booked into the network and pre-labelled ready for next day delivery. Data entry has been completely eliminated from booking through to delivery.

"With NetDespatch we no longer have to manually enter consignment details into our UK agents system and this saves a huge amount of time. To be able to print labels over the web is a real bonus; we just check details on screen and then press to print. The consignment is pre-booked into the UK network and the parcel is fully labelled and ready for collection at the airport. We see this level of integration as a big step forward in the management of international express services". Says Matthijs Slob, Operations Manager of Seabourne Express Courier.