APRIL 23, 2015

March 11-13, 2015. VENDEXPO-2015 vending exhibition, Moscow. Manufacturing parcel terminals

Taking part in VENDEXPO-2015

We took part in a vending exhibition in Moscow. We travelled light: no equipment came with us, since the focus this time was on negotiations. At the exhibition we met with representatives of some of Russia's largest online retailers, including Citilink, Enter, Wildberries, ON NO, the courier service "City Express," and Moscow's public transport operator, "MosGorTrans."

Over 4 days, we managed to hold 16 meetings with executives from online stores, courier services, and public enterprises. Most of the conversations were about parcel terminals and automated order pickup points, as well as automated lockers at railway stations, since many companies were specifically interested in transport infrastructure.

Manufacturing parcel terminals showcased at the VENDEXPO-2015 exhibition

Shared challenges across partner companies

For the most part, everyone faced the same underlying issue: automating and optimizing delivery processes. Installing automated order pickup points in the outlying districts of Moscow and St. Petersburg would provide 24/7 order pickup and help expand parcel delivery across Russia's regions.

Solutions like this help streamline the work of offline pickup points and cut significantly on staff wages. Overall, we talked a lot: we heard plenty of interesting ideas and suggestions, and picked up some useful information of our own along the way.

A lot of people were curious how we ended up manufacturing parcel terminals in the first place. A parcel terminal is a logical extension of the computerized locker. This kind of device is built for sending and receiving mail items, small freight parcels, and document packages.

Lately, parcel terminals are increasingly being used as pickup machines for online store purchases. It's a great solution for building convenient, accessible delivery logistics to end customers. A parcel terminal saves time and money for everyone involved: the seller, the delivery service, and the buyer. A courier no longer needs to sit in traffic during the day trying to hit a specific delivery window, and there's no need to wait around for the customer either.

Convenience for the buyer

Parcels can be loaded into the terminal overnight, quickly and at minimal cost. The buyer can pick them up any time of day or night, whenever it suits them. Their satisfaction with the purchase isn't spoiled by delivery hassles, and they can track the whole delivery process right up to the terminal. If an item doesn't work out for any reason, the buyer can also send it back through the same terminal.

Key features:

  • a large number of cells in different sizes (starting from 50);
  • control through a touchscreen display;
  • synchronization with the servers and databases of delivery, logistics, and courier services;
  • an SMS with parcel details sent to the phone number provided by the courier right after the parcel is placed inside.
Key features of a parcel terminal: cells, touchscreen display, logistics synchronization
Additional parcel terminal features: phone number login, ordering items, returns

Additional features and takeaway

Among the other features: login through a mobile number and waybill number (cargo code), the option for outdoor placement with strong resistance to vandalism and harsh weather conditions, ordering items directly from the terminal's menu, and returning or exchanging goods.

In essence, a computerized locker, or parcel terminal, is an automated hub for receiving and sending parcels. There's no longer a need to rent or buy premises for courier and freight service branches, no need to renovate them or buy equipment for them. There's no need to hire, pay wages to, or let go of staff, and no need to cover huge utility bills for electricity, water, and sewage. An automated parcel station runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with no lunch break. A station like this speaks several languages and is always pleasant to deal with.

Solutions like this pair well with other business formats built on our parcel terminals, and they also work well for setting up contactless order pickup points in high-traffic locations.

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