Software Engineering Module

The automated courier system allows the customer to bring a parcel to the check-in counter and specify the mode of delivery, destination address, recipient’s contact number. The customer will have to provide a description of the contents of the parcel and the value of the contents. His particulars will have to be given for record purposes. The customer may also opt for insurance for the parcel to be delivered.

    The customer can choose to access a webpage and register online for a pick-up service instead of physically visiting the check-in counter. Details such as the collection date and location will be manually selectedby the customer. Information that is collected for over-counter check-in is also required when the customer registers online. He can make use of a postage calculator available on the website to determine the cost of the delivery. He can check the delivery status of his parcel at any time on the website regardless of whether he check-in the parcel over the web or the counter. A reference on the map is also shown on the website to provide a visual reference of the location of the parcel.

    The customer service agent at the courier counter will process the parcel by weighing and measuring it. The system will calculate the postage cost and estimate the delivery time. If there are discrepancies found with the online registration with regards to the measurements, the parcel will be rejected and the customer will be informed of the changes and charges involved. The details of the parcel and information provided by the customer will be entered into the system by the agent. An invoice and a sticker containing the barcode, name and address of the recipient will be generated and given to the customer. The agent will also collect payment from the customer at the counter and update the system accordingly. The sticker will be pasted on the parcel and the parcel sent to the logistic personnel once the customer has paid.

    Once the parcel arrives at the warehouse, the logistic personnel will check in the parcel by scanning the barcode printed on the parcel. The system will show the current location for the parcel to be stored in a warehouse and generate a delivery order for the deliveryman before transporting it to its destination. The logistic personnel at each location can view the delivery order and update its current location. In the event of a missing parcel, it must be reported by the logistic personnel or deliveryman present.

    The shipment manager is responsible for checking the shipments of the day. After that, the manager will have to print an invoice for the day’s shipment and send it together with the parcels to the carrier.

    A deliveryman has to check which parcel is allocated to him for delivery and collect it. The deliveryman must update the delivery status of the parcel while it is on transit from the warehouse to the destination. Any invalid addresses must be reported. In addition, the deliveryman has to pick up the parcels that the customers have registered online for delivery and pass them to the customer service agent for in-processing.

    The system will alert the customer service operator in the event of any missing parcels or failed deliveries due to invalid addresses. The operator has to retrieve the information of the missing parcels or failed deliveries and contact the customer. In the event of invalid addresses, the customer will have to provide a new delivery address and make a payment if the new destination incurs any extra charges. A new invoice will be generated and mailed to the customer. For missing parcels, if the customers have purchased insurance, a letter for refund will be generated and mailed to the customers.

    The system is managedby an administrator who will manage the databases and the user accounts. For user accounts management, the administrator can addand removeusers as well as modifying their user rights. Each user account will contain the name of user, employee ID, and his present location. The administrator will have to update the system if the employee is relocated to another base. For database management, the administrator is able to trace which parcel has been in transit for a long period. He will also have the option to listor deleteparcels that have been delivered in the past.