Amtrak has invested in 1,000 new scanners for its depots and drivers. The scanners will all be phased in by the end of February, with full GPS capability in March.

The Dolphin 7900 scanners supplied by Unique ID will ensure full visibility through the Amtrak network, including real-time PODs and immediate data transfer.

Alan Jones, Managing Director, says: “The existing depot network IT system is four years old and technology has moved on a lot since then. This investment – of about £500,000 a year and funded by Lloyds TSB – ensures we have a robust and reliable system for tracking parcels throughout the network, and allows us to incorporate new features as they are developed.”

Unique ID has a long-standing relationship with Amtrak and has selected a dedicated team to help phase in the new system. “They have worked with us to develop the right system for our network and our customers, and will help ensure that the transition to the new system goes smoothly,” says Mr Jones.

The new management team at Amtrak has introduced significant improvements since it took over the company a year ago. An additional 18 double-deck trailers have been added to the fleet and the depot configuration has been changed to improve network efficiency. The company has also invested in new single-deck trailers and vans and has recently launched a credit card ordering system.

“We understand that customer expectations continue to rise and so we are making sure we have the services and systems necessary to keep us ahead of the competitors,” says Mr Jones.