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<blockquote data-quote="Ricochet1a" data-source="post: 597920" data-attributes="member: 22880"><p>I'm not underestimating how hard it is. I'm stating what FedEx upper management wants. You are talking about reality, FedEx is envisioning utopia. They know it will take at least 2 years to get to where they want to be; they are planning on it taking no more than 4 years. UPS has a headstart in using software and address ordering. FedEx is planning on using that knowledge to fast-track their own implementation of software controlled delivery stop ordering. </p><p> </p><p>When utopia is acheived, each route will have a software dictated pattern for delivery for all addresses within that route and flex areas. The software already identifies what route pieces are to be placed onto. Once this is perfected and 2-3 day volume is transferred to Ground, Couriers will only be needed to place their truck into stop order. With just overnight volume present, this will take the typical Courier/route about 20 minutes to perform at most. FedEx could go to a pure part time Courier force with just this level of technology and diversion of non-overnight to Ground. </p><p> </p><p>With the perfection of software controlled stop ordering, handlers can perform the process of getting the truck in order and the Courier would only need to do a brief check to see if any major errors are present. The goal is to have Couriers only pre-trip their truck, download the data with the stop addresses and pieces per stop and go. Given the processing power of current software, I think FedEx will pull it off in the next 4 years. </p><p> </p><p>It would take time to perfect the "logic" for stop ordering for each route; but with graphical mapping technology and the ability to "connect the dots", engineers can slowly modify the software to prevent any serious mistakes in stop ordering. They are already working on modeling traffic flows, maintaining same side of street delivery order (up one side, down the other) and minimizing left turns and use of problem intersections. The real "problem child" routes will have engineers ride along to see if there is anything that their software missed. </p><p> </p><p>FedEx has always been fond of technological solutions to problems. This is just the latest attempt to use technology by FedEx. In the past technology was primarily focued on providing service to the customer in terms of constant tracking of package movements through the FedEx system. That same technology is used to account for every minute of employee time with all the various FAMIS codes we have to use whenever we change "tasks". That obsessive accounting of our time is used to track trends at stations and ensure no variation in hours occurs without being immediately noticed. </p><p> </p><p>With ROADS, technology is being used for the sole intent of reducing skilled labor costs. The cost of technology has fallen so fast that it is now cheaper to use than labor. I'm not against the use of technology, it is necessary for economic growth for a society. BUT, the deliberate concealment of the intent behind its use is a problem for labor. In the absence of a labor union, Express Couriers are about to get hit with a proverbial ton of bricks when they realize their career prospects have been taken away and they are in their 30's or even worse in their 40's and have few options available to them. This is the 800 pound gorilla at FedEx. Very few even know it is there and most of the rest are ignoring its presence (wishful thinking, I'll cross that bridge when I come too it, economy is bad right now, don't want to worry about tomorrow...).</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Ricochet1a, post: 597920, member: 22880"] I'm not underestimating how hard it is. I'm stating what FedEx upper management wants. You are talking about reality, FedEx is envisioning utopia. They know it will take at least 2 years to get to where they want to be; they are planning on it taking no more than 4 years. UPS has a headstart in using software and address ordering. FedEx is planning on using that knowledge to fast-track their own implementation of software controlled delivery stop ordering. When utopia is acheived, each route will have a software dictated pattern for delivery for all addresses within that route and flex areas. The software already identifies what route pieces are to be placed onto. Once this is perfected and 2-3 day volume is transferred to Ground, Couriers will only be needed to place their truck into stop order. With just overnight volume present, this will take the typical Courier/route about 20 minutes to perform at most. FedEx could go to a pure part time Courier force with just this level of technology and diversion of non-overnight to Ground. With the perfection of software controlled stop ordering, handlers can perform the process of getting the truck in order and the Courier would only need to do a brief check to see if any major errors are present. The goal is to have Couriers only pre-trip their truck, download the data with the stop addresses and pieces per stop and go. Given the processing power of current software, I think FedEx will pull it off in the next 4 years. It would take time to perfect the "logic" for stop ordering for each route; but with graphical mapping technology and the ability to "connect the dots", engineers can slowly modify the software to prevent any serious mistakes in stop ordering. They are already working on modeling traffic flows, maintaining same side of street delivery order (up one side, down the other) and minimizing left turns and use of problem intersections. The real "problem child" routes will have engineers ride along to see if there is anything that their software missed. FedEx has always been fond of technological solutions to problems. This is just the latest attempt to use technology by FedEx. In the past technology was primarily focued on providing service to the customer in terms of constant tracking of package movements through the FedEx system. That same technology is used to account for every minute of employee time with all the various FAMIS codes we have to use whenever we change "tasks". That obsessive accounting of our time is used to track trends at stations and ensure no variation in hours occurs without being immediately noticed. With ROADS, technology is being used for the sole intent of reducing skilled labor costs. The cost of technology has fallen so fast that it is now cheaper to use than labor. I'm not against the use of technology, it is necessary for economic growth for a society. BUT, the deliberate concealment of the intent behind its use is a problem for labor. In the absence of a labor union, Express Couriers are about to get hit with a proverbial ton of bricks when they realize their career prospects have been taken away and they are in their 30's or even worse in their 40's and have few options available to them. This is the 800 pound gorilla at FedEx. Very few even know it is there and most of the rest are ignoring its presence (wishful thinking, I'll cross that bridge when I come too it, economy is bad right now, don't want to worry about tomorrow...). [/QUOTE]
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