Mailing equipment firm Quadient has introduced an additional feature for its smart lockers that enables shoppers to easily drop off parcels, with the added ability to print shipping labels if needed.
The Drop Box and Printer comes as a unit that can be added to new or existing locker configurations, and enables consumers to place packages directly into the Drop Box by simply scanning a barcode label, maximising parcel volume while minimising the locker footprint. Users also have the ability to print standard shipping labels directly from the built-in printer.
Quadient added its cloud-based monitoring technology captures every step of the process and gives carriers full visibility of the parcels’ status at any time.
“The introduction of our fully integrated Drop Box with optional Printer in our carrier-agnostic network makes us unique to the market,” said Ian Caminsky, SVP & MD parcel locker solutions DACHIT-UKI, Quadient.
“Quadient is leveraging its long-standing experience in Japan, France, the US and the UK to bring to market innovations that focus on creating operational efficiencies and eliminating time consuming processes.”
As the new solution becomes available in the UK, Evri will be the first carrier to offer the Drop Box and Printer capability to its customers. Evri is one of four international carriers that have joined the Quadient smart locker open network in the UK. The open locker network already accounts for about 300 locker stations in operation, with plans to reach 5,000 units in the coming years at the pace of about 200 new locations per month.
Kath Gill, head of Out of Home at Evri, added: “We’re delighted to expand our out of home network with Quadient’s smart locker network, taking advantage of new locker technology. It will increase the convenience of sending by allowing customers to print a label directly from the locker 24/7, which is great for customers who can’t print at home and means that Quadient’s locker network offers the same services as our ParcelShops.
“The Drop Box functionality provides a quick and simple way for small businesses to send multiple parcels in one go and maximises the number of parcels that can be handled at a single locker location each day.”
In the coming months, Quadient will make the Drop Box and Printer available to retailers and other carriers across Europe and in North America. The new Drop Box and Printer is being presented by Quadient and Evri today [Tuesday 07 February] in London at The Delivery Conference.
