Software makes the world go round

A ByBox locker will work in isolation but to get the most from our lockers they need to be connected to a network. ByBox software turns a number of individual lockers into a network of logistical bliss.

ByBox systems are flexible and modular

Our approach to systems integration with customers is no different. ByBox offers a number of different stages of integration, from complete platform and customer registration facilities to ByBox providing a feed of anonymous transaction data. The service often starts simply and then becomes progressively more complex. Normally any locker installation will start with some form of pilot activity, primarily to reduce implementation time and minimise the IT integration effort. Customers and end users would then typically access the ByBox web site as their information portal. ByBox can either host all services and brand as per customer request or ByBox can serve up the information to a frame on the customer’s website. Then, as the service starts to expand the marketing effort takes over as the most important driver for success. At this point, a customer may choose to take over presentation of the front end to its users as the new services are integrated and become a standard market offering. The final stage of integration would be a customer taking over management of all customer data. At this level of integration all data exchanged between the lockers, ByBox servers and customer systems becomes completely anonymous.

The following decision tree helps to define which level of integration is required.

All ByBox lockers will work autonomously on their own, but you’ll get much more done if they’re connected to a network.

Why connect to a network? Connecting to a network allows information to be exchanged between the lockers and central information systems. This enables information on locker deliveries and retrievals to be notified in real-time. It also allows for real-time services such as credit card verification and special applications such as locker door reservation - just like booking a hotel room. How do I connect the lockers to a network ? Lockers can be networked over virtually any TCP/IP method, including ethernet (internal or external), mobile data services (GPRS, 3G or dial-up) and analogue telephone lines. Typically the data will be transferred via a VPN connection to ensure the data is kept confidential and secure.

The lockers are all networked – what’s next?

Once the lockers are physically connected to the network they need to be logically connected to the central Locker Management System (LMS). The LMS effectively “talks” to the lockers to pass information around the network. The LMS is usually provided as a ByBox hosted service, due to the complex nature of the communication and protocols between the LMS and the lockers. This controlled layer also enables ByBox to add new services and solutions for customers without any impact on their own information systems; most customers are highly appreciative of this layer of insulation against expensive IT development.

For the large majority of ByBox transactions, absolutely no real-time communication is required with the lockers as the architecture is designed to be asynchronous, meaning that even if communications are disrupted the locker delivery driver and other users can still complete their transactions. Only credit card clearing and use of our reservation system, whereby a ByBox door is reserved in real-time against a specific order reference number, require a synchronous connection to the lockers

Network Architecture

The LMS and the lockers form a network for the purposes of passing information but this is not the end of the story. Another layer of software, called the Application Management Server (AMS) sits between the LMS and external applications. The function of the AMS is to “interpret” the dialogue between the proprietary locker-server network and the outside world. The AMS provides a range of services which are readily available through a variety of different electronic data exchange mechanisms, including FTP, XML and Web Services. Information is normally available on the AMS for onward transmission to customers less than two minutes after an event has occurred on the lockers. Information updates can be viewed on the ByBox web site or imported via data exchange mechanisms into customer applications. ByBox already interfaces with a range of third party applications including SAP and Oracle. In the case of real-time locker reservations, ByBox recommends direct integration with the AMS due to the time-sensitive nature of the transaction. Clients send a reservation request in electronically and this is usually confirmed by the target locker within 40 seconds of the initial request.

Managing customers

Messaging options

The ByBox messaging engine provides tremendous flexibility of communication with customers.

• Emails may formatted in plain text, Rich Text Format (RTF) or full HTML, enabling messages to be consistently branded.

• Mobile phone messages may be sent in Short Message Service (SMS) or MMS (Multimedia Message Service ) formats.

• Premium SMS/MMS formats may also be used to collect revenue from customers, for example by charging at the point of message delivery when a customer is sent a collection code via premium SMS.

Messages are sent according to set schedules which ensure the customer is given adequate notice of delivery of items. If the customer does not respond to the first message then additional, automated alerts can be sent at regular intervals.

Typical messages, whether delivered by email, SMS or both, include : Welcome message, delivery notification, first delivery reminder, second delivery reminder, final delivery reminder, expired parcel removal, return parcel deposit confirmation, return parcel collection confirmation.

ByBox provides a complete set of customer management screens to enable our customers to manage their customers. This interface allows end users to manage their own account and to generate their own shipments for returns, Box2Box or Box2Door services.

Information Services

All ByBox software is developed in-house, making the company lean and agile when it comes to software development and integration projects. Both locker and server software can be customised to individual requirements, including branding and operational processes. ByBox provides a complete range of management features, giving update information on over 300 events that can occur at the lockers, helping to proactively manage the network and network capacity. This currently encompasses:

Locker status and management Delivery, collection, return and other event updates
Site management information and site map functionality
User management and invoicing
Supplier management and invoicing
Messaging engine
Management information reporting
Warehouse dispatch and return management

ByBox also provides a complete suite of reports, accessible over the web or via EDI, which provides management information absolutely tailored to the application and customer.

Other options are also available on request but ByBox and its Europe-wide service network provide the following components as standard:

• Customer database management
• Customer messaging management (Email, SMS and MMS)
• Customer loyalty card design and production
• ‘Direct-to-mobile phone’ payment solution (reverse-charged SMS, COD via credit or cash cards)
• Customer direct mailing and messaging
• Process design services
• Network communication management (Ethernet, WiFi, 3G, GPRS)
• Extranet data exchange between lockers and customer controlled databases
• Web-based reporting for operations
• Web-based reporting for customers
• Web services interface
• Real-time reservation services
• Maintenance services (proactive and reactive)
• Invoicing management

• Marketing support