Competition takes FedEx and UPS to the forefront of technological innovation

Rethink IT, July, 2004

FedEx Insight offers proactive, real time status information on inbound, outbound and third party shipments. It enables customers to identify issues such as customs delays instantly and address them before they become problems. Customers can also receive email, wireless and fax status alerts of shipping events like clearance delays and failed delivery attempts.

To help small and medium-sized businesses identify the documents needed for international shipping, FedEx developed Global Trade Manager, an online resource. The company also offers a carrier-based duty and tax application on its web site.

                                               UPS   FedEx
Main hub                               Louisville,   Memphis,
                                          Kentucky   Tennessee

Packages handled per day                     13.6m          5m
Number of air deliveries per day                2m        3.1m
Wireless devices in the field               90,000      80,000
Wireless devices in sorting depots          55,000      70,000
Wireless access points               9,000 by 2009       5,000