Two enterprises based in the Cotswolds, UK are collaborating to solve the problem of delivering goods to a home when nobody is in.
(PRWEB) January 24, 2005 -- Who hasn't experienced the frustration of finding a card telling you that you've just missed the delivery to your home? You're then faced with driving to a collection depot to collect it yourself, or having to call and rearrange delivery, often with a fee attached? Imagine too the cost and inconvenience to the retailer and delivery companies.
Now, two enterprises based in the Cotswolds are collaborating to solve the problem of delivering goods to a home when nobody is in. Cheltenham based Ahome4it Limited chose Cirencester based HOH Limited to develop an information website as well as other associated software as part of this solution.
According to Colin Towns, Managing Director of HOH Limited, Ahome4it chose to work with HOH because of their structured and flexible approach to working with new concepts and ideas.
"I think that we were able to relate to Ahome4it's issues given that we are a relatively young Company too. It meant that we understood the uncertainty that exists in defining the requirements for new projects and that a step-by-step approach to the design is most suitable at this stage. We also offer skills and experience much broader than just website design, again something that I think is important for Companies such as Ahome4it."
Both companies, which are fairly new growing concerns, take advice from Gloucester Business Link and attend seminars and other events designed to bring business throughout Gloucestershire together.
Ahome4it's patented solution removes the need for homeowners to be present to receive deliveries of goods that have been ordered by phone, mail or internet.
Using the latest internet and communication technologies, goods can be delivered to the house in a secure manner without any modifications being made to the property or the need for large, expensive 'delivery bins'.
Ahome4it utilizes a secure electronic battery powered keysafe that is very easily installed at the customer's home and does not need to be connected to any phone lines. There is also a remote coordinating database that releases access codes for authorized deliveries when they are needed. Customers then use a secure location for delivery, perhaps a garage, shed, porch or conservatory. This gives flexibility to the size of delivery, saves cost and removes the security and visual disadvantages of external boxes.
With the number of people in the UK who have a faster broadband connection to the internet growing faster than ever, online sales are set to increase at an exponential rate. Huge advances have been made in the ordering and logistics supply chain, but the problem of the "last mile" to the house still exists. Often at present, consumers are given a delivery date and expected to take time off of work to wait in for the delivery. Alternatively, delivery companies have to run a complex schedule for their delivery fleets resulting in costly inefficient journeys.
Ahome4it will be rolling out a Gloucestershire based/region wide pilot scheme that will enable them to further refine the system's capabilities.
The website includes information for consumers as well as distributors and was developed by HOH using their latest Content Management System (CMS). This product allows Ahome4it to modify their website at any time without resorting to technical help and also allows the company to set up secure internet sites for clients or potential partners at the click of a button.
Colin Towns, comments: "As soon as we were approached by Ahome4it, we knew that this was a project we wanted to be involved in. With all of us at the company being keen online shoppers we could relate to the very real problem of having goods delivered to home addresses when we weren't there. Sometimes it could take numerous return deliveries to get hold of the items or even worse they would be left on the doorstep and never be seen again."