DTDC adopts what3words for deliveries across India

DTDC Express has upgraded its consumer app (MyDTDC) with what3words location technology.

"Now, customers can add their what3words address in the address section of the MyDTDC App, enabling them to specify a very precise delivery location – be it the front door, specific apartment complex entrance, or a tucked-away side passage," says an official release. "The MyDTDC App gives customers power and flexibility over their deliveries and the addition of what3words will make the process even more efficient.

"In India, street names are often duplicated, addresses can be inaccurate or confusing, pin codes cover broad areas, and many areas don't have addresses at all. This makes it difficult for customers to specify precisely where a delivery needs to be made, and for delivery drivers to find exactly where they need to go. "

These are issues what3words has been designed to solve, the release added. "It has divided the world into a grid of 3m x 3m squares and given each square a unique combination of three words: a what3words address. For example, ///caring.trick.handrail identifies the perfect spot to take a photo of the iconic Taj Mahal. It's an easy way to find, share and navigate to precise locations, anywhere in the world. The technology is also available offline and in 54 languages including 12 South Asian languages: Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Kannada, Nepali, Urdu, Gujarati, Malayalam, Punjabi, and Odia.

"DTDC customers can discover their what3words address via the free what3words app – available for iOS and Android – or the online map at what3words.com. They can then save their what3words address in the My DTDC App, under the address section. Orders fulfilled by DTDC will be dropped off at that exact location."

Abhishek Chakraborty, Executive Director, DTDC says: "Last-mile delivery failures in India are often a result of informal and inaccurate addresses. Poor addressing makes it difficult for couriers to find correct destinations, and can lead to customer dissatisfaction.

"E-commerce revenue in India can also be affected by inaccurate addressing - which leads to proportional losses to logistics partners and carriers. Delivering to the right person at the right address is critical. We believe as the proliferation of what3words increases, it will offer a unique way for us to deliver to precise locations - particularly in areas with informal addresses."

Chris Sheldrick, Co-Founder and CEO, what3words adds: "An accurate address is an essential component for a successful delivery. But this can be challenging in a country like India that's both densely populated and home to vast unaddressed areas of land. With what3words, DTDC can now provide its express logistics services across the whole country, with an enhanced level of precision."

what3words began operations in India in 2019 and is now available in many automotive navigation systems, the release added.