Project Image

My address is breather.relations.autumns

This is something new in an environment where GPS coordinates usually define where we are. what3words introduces this simple but precise method to define your location which delivers substantial operational and costs benefits for its logistics customers.

Modern logistics is undergoing an unprecedented wave of change. Trends in the industry point to increased customer demands and expectations as margins continue to shrink.

Ecommerce is exploding in South Africa, with Visa estimating its value in 2017 amounting to almost R10bn. As customers encounter an efficient, slick online service, they expect the same of the delivery of their newly purchased products.  

One of the greatest challenges faced by logistics companies around the world is imprecise addressing.

Without a precise addressing infrastructure, delivery and logistics become both challenging and costly. Every extra minute spent searching for a residential address, pick up point or specific location is time and money that will affect the bottom line.

This is where what3words comes in. what3words is the easiest way to talk about location. It’s a digital addressing system that has divided the world into a grid of 3m x 3m squares, and given each square its own unique ‘address’ made up of three words.

For example, the front door of their head office in London can be found at ///filled.count.soap. My office in Johannesburg can be found at ///punk.braved.warriors. This is useful, as the Google pin drops in the middle of the building.

How does the system work? Each 3 word address references a specific set of GPS coordinates. This means that when customers can now provide logistics partners with a human-friendly form of GPS coordinates, ensuring accurate and reliable delivery – even without a traditional street address at hand. Everyone, everywhere, now has an address.

RTT is the first major logistics provider in South Africa to adopt 3 word address for precision delivery. Customers of iStore (myistore.co.za) can order their brand new Apple device, pop in their 3 word address on the checkout page, and have it fulfilled by RTT down to the last 9 square metres.

Efficiency tests in South Africa have showed a 44% reduction in delivery times between delivery to a traditional street address versus a 3 word address. RTT also experienced a distance saving of 35%.

You can find your own 3 word address by downloading their app on iOS or Android, or by visiting the what3words mapsite. Type in your traditional street address, zoom in, switch to satellite view until the grid appears and move the map accordingly to find the most sensible 3m x 3m.

For more information on how to integrate what3words, contact South Africa Country Manager Lyndsey Duff lyndsey@what3words.com

Share this post