What makes ups different from fedex

UPS plans to augment the power of its handheld units by adding Bluetooth capabilities to them. The upgrade will enable the devices to connect the handhelds to the trucks and to run applications, such as credit card transaction processing, in areas where an adequate GPRS cellular signal is not available. This type of tracking would facilitate services such as rerouting packages that are already in transit by the most economical route.

The method that FedEx uses to transmit these data to headquarters differs slightly, however. FedEx had previously equipped its vehicles with cellular transmitters for this purpose. When the company rolled out the PowerPad handhelds, it decided to keep the cellular transmitters and have the handhelds upload their data to the transmitters using Bluetooth.

The PowerPad units have other time-saving features as well. For example, FedEx drivers can lock and unlock drop boxes using an infrared signal from the PowerPad instead of a key. First, FedEx must address issues related to how much it would cost to deploy and maintain Bluetooth in the drop boxes. Taking the technology another step further, FedEx hopes that using Bluetooth in its drop boxes will eventually permit drivers to pass by empty drop boxes without having to check them.

Other plans for the future of the PowerPad include making it FedEx and UPS are also seeing the benefits of wireless technology in their sorting facilities and distribution centers.

For both companies, lowering the cost of sorting these packages at their main hubs and smaller centers is an important business consideration. To collect package data during sorting, UPS and FedEx both use a portable ring scanner, which consists of a finger-mounted bar code reader that is connected to a terminal.

The user wears the terminal on his or her forearm. Employees prefer this location because it results in less physical stress over the course of a workday.

Additionally, the new scanners will use Bluetooth for communication between the finger-mounted bar code scanner and the waist-mounted terminal. Workers at UPS sorting facilities scan packages as they load them onto trucks. It was not unusual for the cables connecting the two pieces of the old scanners to get caught and break during the loading process. The new scanners will reduce UPS maintenance costs by 30 percent, spare parts costs by 35 percent, and downtime by 35 percent.

Also, once turned on, the scanners are in an always-on mode and do not have to be triggered for each bar code read, as the old ring scanners did.

The scanners can also transmit data to the company system in real time, so UPS inventory systems can flag issues and report more quickly to customers. The old systems stored the data and transmitted them in periodic batches. During the next four years, 55, scanners will be rolled out to about 1, facilities.

FedEx has a larger fleet of airplanes while UPS has a larger fleet of ground vehicles. FedEx Express is the overnight courier service, with next day delivery within the US and time-guaranteed international service. FedEx Ground has guaranteed day-definite delivery within the US and Canada at a cheaper price, with deliveries using trucks. FedEx also offers freight services. UPS offers two types of time-definite delivery services.

The US Domestic Package service include time-definite delivery of letters, documents and packages in the US, while the International Package service delivers to over countries worldwide. FedEx Office offers other business services to customers, including copying, digital printing, Internet access, computer rentals, and signs and graphics.

Through a website BrownBailout. Share this comparison:. If you read this far, you should follow us:. USPS is one of the best options for sending packages under 2 pounds.

USPS offers many different service options for both domestic and international shipments. These options include:. You also have international shipping options, like Global Express Guaranteed, which arrives in one to three business days, and Priority Mail Express International, which arrives in three to five business days.

All shipping services include options for signature requirements, Certified Mail return receipt, or collect on delivery. USPS offers several options for package pickups. You can schedule a free pickup from your regular mail delivery location via the USPS website for Priority and Express Mail, returns, and international mail.

You can arrange next-day services up to three months in advance for as many packages as you like. Customers may also drop off packages at any USPS collection location. Some locations have designated drop-off areas for prepaid domestic packages to avoid lines. USPS offers free tracking via their website for up to 35 tracking numbers at a time.

You can sign up for free business shipping services to track more orders. USPS offers several small business solutions to help reduce shipping costs. Select shipping services receive volume discounts as long as you ship a minimum number of packages per mailing. You can calculate commercial postage prices on the USPS website. The Label Broker ID program also gives customers the ability to print their own prepaid and return shipping labels via the USPS website or at most post office locations.

USPS customer support is reachable through phone, email, or in person at any of its locations. USPS hours vary but are generally 9 a. Calculate shipping speed and cost with the USPS shipping calculator.

Each of the shipping carriers has many locations where you can drop off packages. However, these usually will require you to have already paid for postage and packed your box. Using a dimensional calculator before you ship can help approximate cost.

You may need to try multiple browsers to get the rates to show up. However, the rest of the rates were very easy to calculate. This service is faster and offers weekend deliveries to more residential areas. While there are many FedEx locations, some smaller communities may only have one. FedEx hours are usually 9 a. Monday through Friday, and 10 a. Saturday and Sunday. The shipping calculator on the UPS website is easy to use and provides a simple table with all of the rates based on your input.

Hours are daily from 8 a. You may find extended hours at retail locations such as those found in Walmart or Hy-Vee. Typical hours are 6 a. When shipping internationally, customers favor UPS because shipments often arrive much sooner than expected. When you start your retail business , you might not think about shipping and fulfillment. But as the lines between retail and ecommerce blur, many retailers need to consider their shipping options as well.

This is where shipping companies come into play. Overall, USPS is typically the best all-around shipping solution for most low-volume businesses. There are no monthly requirements, the service is reliable, and the regular retail rates are very competitive. However, even lower rates and discounts are available through services like Stamps.