Proof of delivery
Encyclopedia
Proof of delivery is a method to establish the fact that the recipient received the contents sent by the sender. When the sender sends multiple documents through the mail
there is a possibility of some not reaching the intended recipient. Generally post office
s provide additional service of guaranteed delivery wherein they ask the recipient to sign a paper and that paper is filed by the postal service for a specified number of days.
Proof of delivery becomes very important when legal and financial documents are to be exchanged between two parties. In the United States, DHL
, UPS
and FedEx
as well as the US postal service (USPS) provide proof of delivery. Commercial fleet operators also need to be able to confirm proof of delivery of goods to their customers.
In e-commerce
, businesses exchange millions of electronic documents to track delivery information using computer to computer communication techniques like email, FTP
and EDI
. These documents contain a variety of transaction details, including information regarding purchase orders, invoices, shipping details, product specifications, and price quotes. Electronic documents can exchange new data as well as corrections to previously transmitted messages.
Legal complications can arise if the recipient company refutes receiving a corrected product specification or a message about a delayed shipment. Both companies could be at loggerheads, each proving/not proving the existence of that particular communication.
Message-oriented middleware (MOM), is a class of software used to implement computer based business document exchange. Such systems provide proof of delivery services by employing techniques such as logging each send/receive activity.
Companies also employ intermediate data brokers to exchange information. Employing such services provide not only proof of delivery but also other services like data integrity, multi-point delivery, and single point of contact for data exchange.
Mail
Mail, or post, is a system for transporting letters and other tangible objects: written documents, typically enclosed in envelopes, and also small packages are delivered to destinations around the world. Anything sent through the postal system is called mail or post.In principle, a postal service...
there is a possibility of some not reaching the intended recipient. Generally post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
s provide additional service of guaranteed delivery wherein they ask the recipient to sign a paper and that paper is filed by the postal service for a specified number of days.
Proof of delivery becomes very important when legal and financial documents are to be exchanged between two parties. In the United States, DHL
DHL
DHL Express is a division of the German logistics company Deutsche Post providing international express mail services. DHL is a world market leader in sea and air mail....
, UPS
United Parcel Service
United Parcel Service, Inc. , typically referred to by the acronym UPS, is a package delivery company. Headquartered in Sandy Springs, Georgia, United States, UPS delivers more than 15 million packages a day to 6.1 million customers in more than 220 countries and territories around the...
and FedEx
FedEx
FedEx Corporation , originally known as FDX Corporation, is a logistics services company, based in the United States with headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee...
as well as the US postal service (USPS) provide proof of delivery. Commercial fleet operators also need to be able to confirm proof of delivery of goods to their customers.
In e-commerce
Electronic commerce
Electronic commerce, commonly known as e-commerce, eCommerce or e-comm, refers to the buying and selling of products or services over electronic systems such as the Internet and other computer networks. However, the term may refer to more than just buying and selling products online...
, businesses exchange millions of electronic documents to track delivery information using computer to computer communication techniques like email, FTP
File Transfer Protocol
File Transfer Protocol is a standard network protocol used to transfer files from one host to another host over a TCP-based network, such as the Internet. FTP is built on a client-server architecture and utilizes separate control and data connections between the client and server...
and EDI
Electronic Data Interchange
Electronic data interchange is the structured transmission of data between organizations by electronic means. It is used to transfer electronic documents or business data from one computer system to another computer system, i.e...
. These documents contain a variety of transaction details, including information regarding purchase orders, invoices, shipping details, product specifications, and price quotes. Electronic documents can exchange new data as well as corrections to previously transmitted messages.
Legal complications can arise if the recipient company refutes receiving a corrected product specification or a message about a delayed shipment. Both companies could be at loggerheads, each proving/not proving the existence of that particular communication.
Message-oriented middleware (MOM), is a class of software used to implement computer based business document exchange. Such systems provide proof of delivery services by employing techniques such as logging each send/receive activity.
Companies also employ intermediate data brokers to exchange information. Employing such services provide not only proof of delivery but also other services like data integrity, multi-point delivery, and single point of contact for data exchange.
See also
- Document automationDocument automationDocument automation is the design of systems and workflow that assist in the creation of electronic documents. These include logic based systems that use segments of pre-existing text and/or data to assemble a new document. This process is increasingly used within certain industries to assemble...
in supply chain management & logistics - return receiptReturn receiptA return receipt is a postal service document confirming the arrival of a message or parcel at its intended destination. Internationally, the service is known as avis de réception , but in some English-speaking countries, acknowledgement of receipt or advice of receipt is used.-Email:As applied to...
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