Metro, the world's largest free newspaper, was using a manual paper-based system to record newspaper deliveries across the UK. They wanted a mobile system to enable drivers to confirm deliveries in real-time, keep returns under 1%, and automate schedules. Metro implemented mpro5's mobile solution. Drivers now use PDAs to scan barcodes, take photos, and record returns at each location. Delivery data is sent to mpro5's website where Metro can generate reports, analyze KPIs, and schedule reactive jobs. The new system saves 26 hours of admin time per week and keeps returns under 1%.

1. CASE STUDY

2. Company
Metro is the world’s largest free newspaper,
published by DMG Media.
Requirement
Metro was recording the deliveries of all of its
newspapers across the UK using a manual
paper-based process. The company wanted to
replace this system with a mobile version that
would:
• Enable drivers to confirm and record
delivery of Metro newspapers in real-time
• Keep tighter control over total no. of
unread copies and returns (keeping these
under 1%)
• Automate driver delivery schedules
Profile of mpro5 users
Metro delivery drivers
Metro
UK and Republic
of Ireland
Media, publisher

3. THE CHALLENGE
1.4m3910
locations
MANUAL
job scheduling
process
PAPER-BASED
INEFFICIENT
REPORTING
TIME
CONSUMING
newspapers a day
623
drivers
delivery recording
process
NO PROOF
of delivery

4. THE SOLUTION
01 Metro swapped their manual, paper-based
system that it was using for recording the
delivery of all Metro newspapers with the
mpro5 mobile solution.
Every day Metro office staff schedule delivery
runs for its drivers from the mpro5 job
scheduling website – hosted in the cloud with
Windows Azure. All of the delivery jobs then get
automatically sent from the mpro5 website to
the personal digital assistants (PDA) of each
driver.
Doc Stor 39 Saved Forms 23
Each job typically instructs the driver to visit a
series of Metro newspaper rack locations and
record the delivery of newspapers.

5. THE SOLUTION
When Metro delivery drivers log on to the mpro5 app on their
PDA, all delivery jobs assigned to them for the day are downloaded on
to the mobile device.
02
mpro5 functions
both on and
offline.

6. THE SOLUTION
As soon as a driver arrives at a Metro delivery site, they take photos of
the newspaper racks before and after they have been filled using the
mpro5 app on their PDA device.03
Each Metro
newspaper rack is
labelled with a unique
bar code. The driver
also uses the scanner
integrated within
mpro5 to scan the
unique rack bar code
which records:
• Proof of presence
• Date and time
• Rack location

7. THE SOLUTION
Delivery drivers also use mpro5 to record and take before and
after photos of the number of newspaper returns that are left in
the racks from the previous day. This data is required by the
Audit Bureau of Circulations, whose results heavily influence
advertisers.
As mpro5 helps Metro to provide real time distribution data
and in greater detail, advertisers gain much more confidence in
the paper.
04

8. THE SOLUTION
At the end of a delivery run the driver will sign off the job on mpro5 on
their PDA. Signature capture is date and time stamped for
proof of completion.
05
All of the job information is sent back to
Metro’s own mpro5 website from where
reports can be generated and sent to
clients immediately.
mpro5 integrates with
many other IT systems
via API

9. THE SOLUTION
06
Through the dashboard on the mpro5 website, Metro can easily analyse
delivery data against KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) set by the business.
The company is also in a much better position
to react to unfavourable situations through
real-time data analysis and reporting, such as
being alerted to:
• Damaged or lost newspaper racks
• High volumes of newspaper returns at
particular racks
• Empty racks that need newspaper top ups
Metro office staff can then schedule reactive
jobs via the mpro5 website to the PDAs of
drivers out on the road.

10. THE MAIN BENEFITS
HOURS PER WEEK SAVED
by office staff through reduced
administrative time We faced a challenge in the lack of
timely, accurate and manageable data
to confirm deliveries of the newspaper
racks. Since implementation of mpro5
our back-office staff now save 26 hours
a week from reduced admin time, just
1 per cent of copies are returned, and
all newspaper deliveries meet targets.
The fact that we have been using
mpro5 for over 8 years now reflects the
real value that the system offers
Metro.”
since implementing mpro5
Rachel Hays
Head of Audience Targeting, Metro
SAME DAY REPORTING
26
1% COPIES RETURNED
8.7%READERSHIP INCREASE
which has improved Metro’s advertising
credentials for Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC)

11. THE MPRO5 TECHNOLOGY
Every mpro5 solution contains the following,
all on one affordable monthly subscription
TABLET/SMARTPHONE
BARCODE
+MPRO5 APP JOB SCHEDULING
WEBSITE
INTEGRATION
SIM CARD
FULL SUPPORT AND SERVICES REPORTS & ALERTS
INTERNET OF THINGS

12. GET IN TOUCH
WWW.MPRO5.COM