NEWS
Dis-Chem pharmacies uses technology
to enhance delivery
South Africa and was able to integrate with
the Dis-Chem delivery system to provide real
time feeds and order placements into the
Picup app.
On demand delivery of essential goods
for retailers and e-commerce clients is
now possible through Picup’s reliable
crowdsourced network.
Dis-Chem has partnered with Picup to
enhance its last mile delivery across
more channels within the group. The
pharmaceutical giant is now using Picup’s
innovative technology and crowdsource
driver network to optimise its deliveries.
At the beginning of the lockdown, Dis-Chem
approached Picup to assist with its delivery
strategy. Within four business days from the
initial contact, Picup could provide Dis-Chem
with a last mile fulfilment solution, including
drivers and customised software at each
pharmacy within the group.
Dis-Chem Executive Pharmacy Manager,
Tanya Ponter, said Picup could provide an
instant delivery solution for all stores across
Picup CEO Antonio Bruni said they are
working closely with Dis-Chem to establish
how its technology can improve last mile
delivery across more channels within the
group and using data to optimise and deliver
more efficiently.
Picup is a last-mile essential delivery service
provider that offers logistics software that
is backed up by a fleet of crowdsourced
drivers. Its deliveries are contactless and
staff are equipped with masks, sanitiser and
guidelines for best behavioural practices.
AI COVID-19 diagnosis service launched for people
of determination in Egypt
efforts of the MCIT to support the Egyptian
government’s plan to effectively mitigate
COVID-19 challenges.
Amr Talaat, the Minister of Communications
and Information Technology in Egypt,
explained this first of its kind service in
the Arab World and Africa represents the
ministry’s latest effort to ‘reach all segments
of society, provide technical support to face
the current crisis and keep citizens safe.’
Egypt’s Ministry of Communications
and Information Technology (MCIT)
has joined forces with the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) and
Avaya to extend the capabilities of WASEL
– its dedicated contact centre service
for people of determination – with the
addition of automated testing for COVID-19
symptoms for the deaf and hard of hearing.
A world first, this chatbot utilises AI to
enable sign-language based interaction,
providing users intuitive access to critical
COVID-19 related information and support.
The service is conveniently available via the
Tamkeen website or WASEL smartphone
application. This initiative aligns with the
Randa Aboul-Hosn, UNDP’s Resident
Representative in Egypt, stressed the
importance of using ICT solutions to combat
the spread of COVID-19 especially for people
with special needs. She highlighted that her
organisation’s partnership with MCIT Egypt
and Avaya has successfully materialised
into an easy-to-use solution that is carefully
designed to help deaf and hearing-impaired
people cope with the challenges imposed by
the on-going pandemic.
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