Glossary

Aftermarket logistics

Logistics services for manufacturer exchanges, returns and repairs.

Business process outsourcing

Outsourcing specific business functions to a third-party service provider.

Business-to-business

The exchange of goods, services and information between businesses.

Clinical trial

Time-critical samples (tissue, blood) are transported during the clinical test phase of a new drug.

Container

Large, standardised, lockable storage unit with a volume of more than three cubic metres and a holding capacity of more than five tonnes used to transport a variety of goods.

Contract logistics

Complex logistics and logistics-related services along the value chain that are performed by a contract logistics service provider. Services are tailored to a particular industry or customer and are generally based on long-term contracts.

Cross-border mail (outbound)

All outbound international mail.

Customs brokerage

A service that involves the clearing of goods through customs for importers and exporters, which includes the preparation and/or (electronic) submission of documents as well as the calculation of taxes, duties and excises on behalf of the customer.

Day Definite

Delivery of shipments on a specified day.

Dialogue marketing

Market-orientated activities that apply direct communications to selectively reach target groups using a personal, individualised approach.

DHL Solutions & Innovations (DSI)

New unit that brings together the Group’s existing innovation drivers, develops innovative solutions and promotes cross-divisional co-operation.

E-Postbrief

A means of secure and reliable online communication that can be delivered both electronically and by traditional mail.

EU Postal Directive

Legal framework for the postal markets in the member states of the European Union.

Exclusive licence

In accordance with the German postal act, Deutsche Post AG had the exclusive licence until the end of 2007 to commercially transport certain items. The exclusive licence expired with effect from 1 January 2008.

Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur)

German national regulator for electricity, gas, telecommunications, post and railway.

First Choice

Group-wide programme aimed at improving service quality and enhancing customer focus.

Full container load

The container is completely loaded by the sender and handed over to the freight carrier.

Full truckload

Complete capacity of truck is utilised from sender to receiver.

Gateway

Collection point for goods intended for export and for further distribution of goods upon import; customs clearance point.

Global Customer Solutions (GCS)

Customer relationship management organisation for the Group’s largest and most important global clients.

Hub

Collection centre for the transhipment and consolidation of flows of goods.

Inbound logistics

Supply of manufacturing and assembly locations.

Inbound-to-manufacturing

The procurement of goods and their transport from the place of origin/manufacture to the production line.

Intermodal transport

Transport chain combining different modes of transport, often road and rail.

Lead logistics provider

A logistics service provider who assumes the organisation of all or key logistics processes for the customer.

Less than container load

Loads that will not fill a container and are consolidated for ocean transport.

Less than truckload

Shipment weighing approximately three tonnes that is smaller than a full truckload and consolidated with other senders’ and/or receivers’ shipments into one load for transport.

Packstation

Parcel machine where parcels and small packages can be deposited and collected around the clock.

Paketbox

Parcel box for franked parcels and small packages (maximum dimensions: 50 × 40 × 30cm).

Partner outlets

Postal retail outlets operated primarily by partners in the retail sector who offer postal services in addition to their core businesses.

Part truckload

Shipment that does not constitute a full truckload but is transported from point of departure to destination without transhipment.

Postal act (Postgesetz)

The purpose of the German postal act, which took effect on 1 January 1998, is to promote postal competition through regulation and ensure the nationwide provision of appropriate and sufficient postal services. It includes regulations on licensing, price control and the universal service.

Preferred periodical

A press product of which more than 30% consists of journalistic reporting.

Price-cap procedure

Procedure whereby the German Federal Network Agency approves prices for certain mail products. The agency approves prices on the basis of parameters it stipulates in advance, which set the average changes in these prices within baskets of services defined by the agency.

Repair and return

Goods are picked up from end users at different addresses, transported to the pre-determined repair company, collected after repair and returned to the end user.

Same Day

Delivery within 24 hours of order placement.

Standard letter

Letter measuring a maximum of 235 × 125 × 5mm and weighing up to 20g.

Standard periodical

A press product of which no more than 30% consists of journalistic reporting.

Supply chain

A series of connected resources and processes from sourcing materials to delivering goods to consumers.

Targeting

Target-specific advertising on websites aimed at achieving the highest possible advertising effectiveness.

Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA)

A forum that unites manufacturers, logistics providers, freight carriers, law enforcement authorities and other stakeholders with the common aim of reducing losses from international supply chains.

TEU

Twenty-foot equivalent unit. Standardised 20-foot-long, 8-foot-wide container unit (6 x 2.4 metres).

Time Definite

Delivery of time-critical shipments for which the day or time of delivery has been specified or guaranteed.