GLS Ireland is a leading shipping company for parcel delivery in Ireland, with 180 ParcelShops and a 24-hour express shipping service across the country. GLS is part of a strong European network and handles international parcel deliveries for Irish customers. The company has put a strong emphasis on the quality of its customised logistics solutions and IT investment. This year has been one of continued IT development and investment in GLS’s operations in Ireland.

iControl

In 2015, GLS implemented iControl, new software for customers that provides a fast and easy way to generate labels in its online system, via a user-friendly website. The customer can connect easily through the API integration. As the name of the system suggests, with iControl the customer is very much in control of the shipping process, enabled through a host of features. Those features include:

A no minimum-shipment limit.
Pre-booking of parcels for later shipment, if required.
Booking return services, such as GLS’s Pick&ShipService and Pick&ReturnService.
A multi-user function, with various levels of access.
Central management of the address book and the option to import your own address book.

The system is multilingual (Polish, English, German) and the Track&Trace function enables users to track their parcel after clicking on the parcel number. The iControl service has the option of integration with client systems, which increases GLS’s flexibility and strengthens co-operation with customers, which is particularly important for the e-commerce market. The new service has received good feedback from customers and will be continuously upgraded to respond to market requirements.

In Association with

UniQue

One of the biggest and the most important projects carried out in 2015 in GLS Ireland was the implementation of a new operating system, named UniQue, which will make GLS more dynamic and efficient. Its implementation will allow the company to grow with customer demand and introduce further new services. GLS also completed the implementation of the latest version of software for hand-held scanners. The devices send parcel data directly to the GLS system, allowing deliveries to be tracked in real time.

ParcelShops Investment

In order to ensure speedy delivery and service quality when parcel volumes are growing rapidly, the GLS Group allocates significant funds for investment. Through 2015, GLS increased its number of GLS ParcelShops to 180, enabling GLS to implement an alternative drop-off point service for private recipients throughout the country.

In 2016, GLS will be relocating its depot in Limerick. The new premises will significantly enhance the operational capabilities of the depot.

ThinkResponsible

Following the group-wide initiative, ‘ThinkResponsible’, GLS also supports the Barnardos Christmas Toy Appeal. Toys are dropped into any GLS ParcelShop countrywide before Christmas Eve, to be delivered to Barnardos centres in time for Christmas.

Gift ideas and the locations of GLS stores can be found on www.barnardos.ie. ParcelShops collect the donated toys and send them to the GLS Dublin Depot using GLS drivers. From there, the toys are delivered to Barnardos’ centres. The Barnardos and GLS Toy Appeal has been a great success year on year, with an increase of 69% in donations in 2014.