PARCEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (PMS)

PARCEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

(PMS)

Pilot Project for 7 stations between Delhi & Howrah

Railway Board Sanctioned 2 Crore rupees for Pilot Run

of

Parcel Management System (PMS) between 7 stations.

After 1 year of rigorous testing, research & development

by CRIS New Delhi, PMS Started at New Delhi Parcel

Office on 1st November 2006.

It has been implemented successfully at Delhi, New

Delhi, Kanpur, Allahabad, Gaya, Sealdah and Howrah.

Booking, Leasing and Loading through this system for

all destinations has started from 22nd Dec 07 for above

stations.

FeaturesFeatures

• Direct capture of parcel weight Electronically

• Tracking parcel with help of barcode technology

• Any route booking through single window at any

counter. No need to go to another booking window

after filling forwarding note, hence single window can

be followed for weighing, cash payment and issue of

Parcel Way bill

Features (contd.)Features (contd.)

• Advance loading guidance according to availability of space

• Prior information about the inward traffic

ArchitectureArchitecture

Piggy Backed on UTS networkPiggy Backed on UTS network Centralized Approach Centralized Approach Load BalancedLoad Balanced SAN BasedSAN Based High end XEON Servers.High end XEON Servers. RAID 5 based Data Storage & RAID 1 based RAID 5 based Data Storage & RAID 1 based

Servers.Servers.

SoftwareSoftware

Load BalancerLoad Balancer IBM Edge Server v5.1IBM Edge Server v5.1

Web ServerWeb Server IBM HTTP Server v6.1IBM HTTP Server v6.1

Application ServerApplication Server IBM Websphere Application IBM Websphere Application Server v6.1Server v6.1

Database ServerDatabase Server Oracle RAC 10g v10.2.0.3Oracle RAC 10g v10.2.0.3

Operating SystemOperating System RHEL4 AS update4RHEL4 AS update4

SANSAN IBM DS4700 with 2.5 TB Data IBM DS4700 with 2.5 TB Data StorageStorage

LTOLTO IBM TS3100 Tape LibraryIBM TS3100 Tape Library

Backup ServerBackup Server Tivoli Storage Manager v4.5Tivoli Storage Manager v4.5

Client ArchitectureClient Architecture SoftwareSoftware

• Microsoft Windows XPMicrosoft Windows XP• Internet Explorer 6Internet Explorer 6• Drivers for barcode reader, barcode printer and Drivers for barcode reader, barcode printer and

dot matrix printerdot matrix printer HardwareHardware

• 1GHz CPU/512MB flash ROM thin client1GHz CPU/512MB flash ROM thin client No moving parts make them suitable to dust No moving parts make them suitable to dust

environmentenvironment Virus free environmentVirus free environment

• 24-pin 80-column dot matrix printer24-pin 80-column dot matrix printer• 132 column dot matrix printer132 column dot matrix printer• .5KVA UPS.5KVA UPS• 1-Ton capable Weighment machine1-Ton capable Weighment machine

MODULESMODULES

Forwarding Note

With the help of Electronic weighing machine weight

of parcel is directly captured and sent to the system in

this module. After complete information of

consignment is filled, a unique forwarding note

number is generated

A standard java based applet from IBM is used to

capture weight send by weighing machine to one of the

serial port in computer

Modules (contd.)Modules (contd.)

Booking of parcel, Luggage and VP

Forwarding Note number generated in above module

is fed into the booking module, thereby details of

consignment to be booked by party comes into the

screen and freight is calculated automatically. A

unique 10-digit no. called PRR (Progressive

Reference Record) No. is generated.

Barcode generation• For above unique PRR no. a Barcode Label is

generated and pasted on the items to be sent for one to one tracking of consignment.

• Barcode Label contains information about the consignment in coded form.

MODULES (contd.)MODULES (contd.)

Above Barcode When read by scanner reads as below

\09921101003980001HWH^

099 Wt of package.

2110100398 PRR No

0001 Item No

HWH Destination Stn

Barcode ScannerBarcode Scanner Barcode scanner is a portable Sophisticated Hand Held Barcode scanner is a portable Sophisticated Hand Held

Device used to read Barcode Labels pasted on every Device used to read Barcode Labels pasted on every package during Loading & Unloading of Packages package during Loading & Unloading of Packages from train so that every package can be tracked from train so that every package can be tracked accurately out of a lot.accurately out of a lot.

Data is then transferred & updated to system from Data is then transferred & updated to system from Barcode Scanner.Barcode Scanner.

Standard CODE128 is used for printing of Barcodes. Standard CODE128 is used for printing of Barcodes. Code 128 provides good density between lines in Code 128 provides good density between lines in barcode for all-numeric data and alphanumeric data, barcode for all-numeric data and alphanumeric data, thus improves readability over other standard codes.thus improves readability over other standard codes.

Types Of Barcode ScannerTypes Of Barcode Scanner

Charged Coupled Device(CCD)Charged Coupled Device(CCD)• Here barcode is photographed, digitized and Here barcode is photographed, digitized and

electronically sampled by built-in photo detectors.electronically sampled by built-in photo detectors.• Detectors process the measurement of every bar Detectors process the measurement of every bar

and space using number of adjacent photo and space using number of adjacent photo detectorsdetectors

Laser Laser • It project a beam of laser light off an oscillating It project a beam of laser light off an oscillating

mirror or rotating prism and generates what mirror or rotating prism and generates what appears to be red scan line.appears to be red scan line.

Advantages of Advantages of BarcodeBarcode

Proven technologyProven technology

Easy to useEasy to use

Cost effective itemwise tracking is possible, thus Cost effective itemwise tracking is possible, thus

public can view their status itemwisepublic can view their status itemwise

Unlike RFID, this will not have any problem of Unlike RFID, this will not have any problem of

detection because of interference.detection because of interference.

Barcoding-the processBarcoding-the process

Bar-code label generated for all the packages bookedBar-code label generated for all the packages booked

Hand held scanner scans the packages, data from Hand held scanner scans the packages, data from

which later transferred to computerwhich later transferred to computer

Tracks movement and dispatch of booked packagesTracks movement and dispatch of booked packages

Loading/Unloading to/from SLRsLoading/Unloading to/from SLRs

Loading On selection of a Train no., loading potential displays all the parcels available for dispatch for a particular

destination in a particular train scale.Based on the selection of packages Loading guidance is generated. Packages sent along with loading guidance to platform for loading.Parcels can be loaded after scanning by Barcode scanner and loading summary is recorded.



Unloading Destination station has advance unloading guidanceInward packages can be scanned on arrival at platform to generate unloading summary.

Inward godown Unloading summary generated on connectivity of Barcode scanner with terminalInward packages can be scanned on entry in Inward godown

Delivery Recipient comes to delivery clerk with original receipt. PRR no. on the receipt is then feed by delivery clerk in delivery module. All the delivery details with charges comes on the screen. The delivery receipt is then generated by the delivery clerk.Goods are given to customer against the delivery receipt.


Tracking of parcels through online information of parcels on internet

Customer can track its parcel against PRR no. on the parcel receipt.

MIS ReportsReport for parcel booking clerk, destination wise summary, counter wise summary , left-over packages summary and various other reports can be generated by system.

System Administration and Master MaintenanceThis module helps in creating user database, adjusting the stationary number, logging out the locked user etc.Station, Train master are updated by Database administrator at CRIS/New Delhi. Party Master, Lease Party and Contract Master, FSLA Party and Dlist master etc. are maintained by Parcel Office Supervisor.


Lease This module covers the Leasing of Parcel Space in the passengers Trains to the private party.


FSLA (Freight Service & Ledger Account )This module is for daily Registered Newspapers &

magazines to be dispatched in train by paying some security in advance and pays the dues at the end of the month.

Training Audio visual help file installed at each terminal. This helps new user to listen and see how to use the modules in software.

Bug reporting For reporting defects in software user can log it in this module, which can be viewed by software engineer at CRIS and can send the corresponding reply in that module itself


Online database holds the data only for 3 months Online database holds the data only for 3 months after booking. Data more than 3 months old is sent to after booking. Data more than 3 months old is sent to another database capable of holding voluminous data, another database capable of holding voluminous data, which is called data warehouse. which is called data warehouse.

A separate application has been made to access this A separate application has been made to access this achived data. A person can at any moment of time achived data. A person can at any moment of time can fetch data from datawarehouse for various MIS can fetch data from datawarehouse for various MIS reports.reports.

Data WarehouseData Warehouse

Statistics of Parcel way bill issued Statistics of Parcel way bill issued through PMS at 7 stnsthrough PMS at 7 stns

Nov 2007 Dec 2007 Jan 2008 Feb 2008 New Delhi 47363 48079 46496 46512 Delhi 24307 37599 31816 33856 Kanpur 753 1416 2388 790 Allahabad 302 280 2123 3263 Gaya 143 52 110 65 Sealdah 70 117 151 105 Howrah 593 1436 4201 12194

GROWTH OF PACKAGES AT GROWTH OF PACKAGES AT DELHI DIVISIONDELHI DIVISION

159.21

52.47

11.31

191.48

95.82

14.41

212.2

127.98

12.5

0

50

100

150

200

250

2004-05 2005-06 2006-07

ParcelsLeaseCBA

Packages in Lacs

BenefitsBenefits

Web-enabled to track latest position of the parcel

Automatic freight calculation based on latest rules

Reduction in human errors & manual intervention

Reduction in time required for weighment and booking

Benefits (contd.)Benefits (contd.)

Loading strictly according to priority thereby curtailing malpractices and complaints

Beneficial to Accounts for internal check

Reduction in Claims

Potential for revenue generation based on improvement in service.

Computerization of Cloak room and Lost Parcel Offices will be done in Phase II

RFID technology will be considered in phase II for godown management

Further enhancementsFurther enhancements

RFIDRFID This is another technique of detecting item This is another technique of detecting item

through radio frequency identification (RFID).through radio frequency identification (RFID).

Item is tagged with miniature antenna for Item is tagged with miniature antenna for detecting frequency of particular ID assigned to a detecting frequency of particular ID assigned to a item by RFID software.item by RFID software.

RFID readers detects the item by generating RFID readers detects the item by generating frequency corresponding to Tag ID given to item.frequency corresponding to Tag ID given to item.

RFID (contd.)RFID (contd.)

Vulnerability to compromiseVulnerability to compromise

The protected material may be wrapped in two to The protected material may be wrapped in two to three layers of ordinary household foil to block the three layers of ordinary household foil to block the radio signal. radio signal.

By placing two items against one another so that one By placing two items against one another so that one tag overlays another. That may cancel out the signals. tag overlays another. That may cancel out the signals. This requires knowledge of the technology and This requires knowledge of the technology and careful alignment.careful alignment.

Keeping in view the working environment, possibility Keeping in view the working environment, possibility of RFID tag being lost during transit is high.of RFID tag being lost during transit is high.

Feasible only on tracking large items like containers Feasible only on tracking large items like containers containing large no. parcels.containing large no. parcels.

Item based tracking would be costly solution Item based tracking would be costly solution

ServerServer >5,00,000>5,00,000

RF Detection SystemRF Detection System >1,25,000>1,25,000

TagTag (Passive)(Passive) 5050

Tag (Active)Tag (Active) >1000>1000

Readers 20,000 – 75,000

Antennas >1,00,000

Printers 1,00,000 - 2,50,0000

Total Cost (RFID) Total Cost (Barcode)No. Of Barcode/RFID Printer Required at Station 2 2,00,000* 120000**No. Of Tags to be generated per day 5,000 2,50,000 10,000Antennas to be installed for detection 2 400000 (200000*2) 0Memory Scanners 10 10,00,000*** 4,00,000 (40,000*10)Scanners 5 100000**** 25,000 (5,000*5)Total Cost per Station 19,50,000 5,55,000

*(taking avg. price Of RFID Printer is 100,000)**(taking avg. price of Barcode Printer is 60,000)

****avg. price of RFID Scanner is $425 I.e. 20,000 approx.***avg. price of Memory RFID Scanner is 1,00,000

Thank You

Documents

PARCEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (PMS)