Accenture announces prototype for package delivery industry

Accenture has announced the development of its first application prototype based on Microsoft .NET My Services, formerly codenamed “Hailstorm.”

Designed to assess how emerging technologies will impact the package delivery industry, Accenture’s Dynamic Delivery prototype utilizes many of NET My Services’ utilities, such as the .NET Presence, NET Calendar, NET Alerts, .NET Wallet and .NET Location capabilities. Using .NET My Services, Accenture is changing the package delivery paradigm from address-centric to > user-centric by enabling services like dynamic package rerouting.

Accenture demonstrated the prototype at the Microsoft Professional Developers Conference October 22-26, in Los Angeles, CA.

The Dynamic Delivery prototype addresses several fundamental business problems in package delivery. Accenture’s application alerts a customer when they have a package scheduled for delivery. The customer will be directed to a Web site authorizing delivery, as well as being able to have the shipment immediately rerouted to a new address where they will be located. The service cuts costs by minimizing missed deliveries through real-time access to the customers’ location and integrating with their calendar information.