GLOBAL LOGISTICS PROVIDER, ARAMEX, RECORDS EFFICIENCIES OF 42% BY SWITCHING TO 3 WORD ADDRESSES 

Global logistics giant, Aramex, has used innovative addressing solution, what3words, to make significant improvements in efficiency during a trial of the what3words software in Dubai.

Using what3words – which assigns unique, 3 word addresses to every 3m x 3m square across the globe – Aramax drivers made deliveries in Dubai 42% faster and travelled 22% less distance.

Aramex drivers who used traditional street addresses spent a total of 7 hours and 39 minutes finding delivery locations and made 25 phone calls to customers asking for directions. Meanwhile, drivers supplied with 3 word addresses found all of the locations easily, without a single phone call.

They were on the road for 4 hours and 28 minutes (a saving of 42% on their counterparts). Furthermore, drivers using 3 word addresses shaved more than a fifth off the distance travelled.

Following the significant savings recorded during the trial, Aramex has integrated what3words into its core systems.

	STREET ADDRESS*	3 WORD ADDRESS**
Total time taken for 100 deliveries	7 hrs 39 mins	4 hrs 28 mins
Distance travelled	255 km	198 km
Total number of calls to customers	25	0

*Combined results from two drivers using traditional addresses

**Combined results from two drivers using 3 word addresses

The delivery trial took place in two well-addressed areas of Dubai: Al Khawaneej and Al Muhaisnah. Four Aramex drivers delivered packages to the same 100 locations. Two of them knew the areas well and used regular street addresses; the other two had never worked in these areas before and used 3 word addresses.

The accuracy of 3 word addresses allowed drivers to plan their journeys using route-optimisation software, which reduced the total distance travelled from 255 km to 198 km, saving fuel and vehicle wear in the process.

Iyad Kamal, Chief Operating Officer of Aramex PJSC, said: “3 word addresses allowed the drivers to find their way quickly and reliably in an area they were not familiar with. They completed their deliveries overwhelmingly faster and more efficiently than drivers who knew the area very well, removing the need for extensive training of new recruits. They didn’t waste time calling customers, drove a more efficient delivery route, and had a much easier day at work.

“The business benefits are unquestionable. This is an exciting development within Aramex, that’s why we are encouraging our customers to use 3 word addresses.”

A 3 word address is a simple and accurate way to describe any location using just 3 dictionary words. ///index.home.raft, for example, can be used to find the front entrance of the what3words office in London. 3 word addresses are accurate to 3m x 3m, giving every front door, mall entrance and delivery point, its own unique address.

Chris Sheldrick, CEO and co-founder of what3words, said: “what3words’ format is universal, and 3 word addresses are available in over 14 languages. This means that Aramex can improve delivery times in all the cities it operates in, as well as deliver to a vast new market of customers who have never had an address.”

Where a street address is confusing or non-existent, a 3 word address will direct a driver straight to the 3m x 3m square to which the delivery has been requested.

Established in 1982 as an express operator, Global logistics giant, Aramex, operates in 69 countries, across 567 cities. The company has rapidly evolved into a global brand recognized for its customized services and innovative multi-product offering.