Year

Event

2007

More than 550,000 customers worldwide have installed WorldShip, making it one of the most widely deployed transportation software applications in the world.  UPS unveils WorldShip 9.0 – available in 14 languages and enabling customers to take advantage of three time-of-day delivery options being offered in most major global commercial centers.

2006

UPS extends DIAD IV capability to UPS Freight and to Stolica and LYNX Express in Europe.

2006

UPS announces enhancements to a variety of Web-based technology tools to simplify the complexities of global trade.

2005

UPS becomes one of the first transportation carriers to deploy a trade processing system developed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that accelerates cross-border commerce while improving security at the nation’s borders.

2004

UPS is awarded American Business Award for Most Innovative Company due to its development and deployment of package flow technologies.

2004

UPS continues deploying more than 45,000 Bluetooth ring scanners and Wi-Fi terminals to more than 1,700 facilities worldwide. The resulting Wi-Fi LAN will contain as many as 12,000 access points, making it one of the largest Wi-Fi LANs in the world.

2003

UPS deploys package flow technologies to 80 package centers in the US. The revolutionary suite of software automates the pre-load process and improves the forecasting process – resulting in package car mileage and fuel savings.

2003

UPS awarded prestigious INFORMS prize for its excellence in marrying operational research to business innovation.

2003

UPS unveils fourth generation of the handheld Delivery Information Acquisition Device (DIAD). The DIAD IV is a wireless wonder, featuring six different wireless network technologies, as well as GPS capability.

2003

UPS is the first major airline to equip an entire fleet with an Automatic Dependent Surveillance- Broadcast (ADS-B) traffic display system, giving UPS pilots unparalleled visibility of traffic around them in the air as well as on airport taxiways and runways.

2002

UPS begins deployment of package flow technologies, a revolutionary suite of software that automates the pre-load process in package centers.

2002

UPS launches SMS (Short Message Service) Tracking Service in eight Asian countries, enabling customers to track their package delivery status anytime, anywhere. The wireless service features local dial-in numbers to help customers save on phone charges.

2002

Software deployed at UPS WorldPort enables U.S. Customs officials to target automatically packages for inspection in Customs’ on-going search for contraband.

2002

UPS deploys GPRS wireless network in 15 European countries to provide connectivity for approximately 10,000 hand-held tracking devices. (DIADs) UPS begins testing GPRS and CDMA in the United States.

2002

With construction and testing completed, all package processing operations shift to the new UPS WorldPort facility at the international air hub in Louisville, KY.

2002

Customized software is unveiled that uses smart labels to help hubs get "smarter," providing a more sophisticated sort engine and allowing plant managers quick analysis to make adjustments to the package flow system.

2002

CIO Insight awards UPS first annual Partners in Alignment Award™ for its successful integration of technology into its business strategy.

2002

The UPS e-procurement system expands globally to set the standard for other corporations. Since its initial integration in 1997 using Oracle Workflow and Oracle Self-Service Purchasing, more than 18,000 users link with more than 600,000 vendors to process more than 3 million invoices per year online.

2002

UPS Airlines is 11th largest airline in the world and features some of the most advanced IS in the world, like the Computerized Operations Monitoring, Planning and Scheduling System (COMPASS) which provides information for flight planning, scheduling and load handling.

2002

UPS is recognized for its technological leadership via Computerworld Premier 100 IT Leaders

2001

UPS beta tests package flow technologies at its Gainesville, GA package center. Package flow technologies, a revolutionary suite of software, automates the pre-load process while enhancing forecasting in package centers.

2001

UPS Logistics Group acquires a majority interest in UNI-DATA AG, a leading logistics provider for the high-tech industry in Europe.

2001

Aviation Consumer magazine names the UPS Aviation Technologies MX20 Multi Function Display its "Aviation Product of the Year."

2001

UPS acquires iShip, Inc. to provide an in-store, Internet-based, multi-carrier manifesting technology for Mail Boxes, Etc. (MBE) franchisees. MBE was acquired by UPS in April 2001.

2001

UPS is recognized for its technological innovation and leadership via CIO 100 Innovation Award, Infoworld 100 (Number 7 Ranking), Computerworld ROI Top 25 Wireless Innovators, Computerworld 100 Best Places to Work in IT, and the InformationWeek 500.

2001

UPS begins first large-scale test of application using both Bluetooth and 802.11b in close proximity. Employees sorting parcels wear Bluetooth-enabled rings that contain bar-code scanners. Data is sent from rings to a terminal attached to their waists, then relayed to a remote central database via 802.11b technology.

2000

UPS reaches a technology milestone on Dec. 19, when, for the first time, www.ups.com received 6.5 million online tracking requests per day.

2000

UPS is recognized for its technological innovation and leadership in PC Week FastTrack 100 (Number 1 Ranking, Enterprise Network, and PC Week FastTrack 500 (Number 2 Ranking, Innovators in E-Business.

2000

UPS gives customers capability to calculate rates, to find transit-times and convenient drop-off locations for shipments on any digital wireless device in the U.S., following its leadership role as a launch content provider for the Palm VII device in 1999. Customers can access these services from a one- or two-way text messaging or Web-enabled phones, personal digital assistants, pagers or other pervasive computing devices.

2000

UPS unveils Returns on the Web, making the returns experience for consumers as easy as "log on, print label, log off."

1999

UPS rolls out UPS OnLine WorldShip, an Internet-based package shipping and tracking system for customers in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, which provides customers the ability to ship products domestically or internationally through a secure Internet connection.

1999

UPS introduces the Delivery Information Acquisition Device (DIAD 3) allowing customers to track packages in real-time.

1998

UPS package car drivers begin delivering free CD-ROMs with the most current desktop versions of UPS electronic shipping software – UPS OnLine Office, UPS OnLine Supply Ordering, and UPS OnLine Tracking.

1997

UPS is recognized for its technological innovation and leadership via Computerworld Smithsonian for Global Telecommunications Network award.

1997

The Strategic Enterprise Fund is formed, enabling exploration of emerging markets and technologies to enhance UPS's evolving business model.

1996

UPS beings using wearable infrared scanners.

1995

The UPS Windward Data Center near Atlanta is built. It now houses the largest DB2 database and tracks more packages than any other data center in the world.

1994

UPS’s award-winning Web site, www.ups.com, goes live.

1993

UPS begins using real-time wireless network to gather signatures electronically for tracking. (DIAD 2)

1991

UPS becomes the first package delivery company to gather signatures electronically for tracking. (DIAD 1)

1990

UPS begins collecting Meta Data, setting the groundwork for one of the most renowned Meta Data repositories in the world. The repository is essentially a library that categorizes all the data housed in UPS’s huge databases.

1989

The UPS Ramapo Ridge Data Center in Mahwah, NJ opens – featuring the world’s largest DB2 database and one of the world’s largest Oracle databases.

1988

UPS links its Automated Brokerage Interface with U.S. Customs to transmit information in advance of an international shipment in order to speed the Customs clearance process and avoid delays.

1988

UPS Airlines fastest growing airline in FAA history – formed in little more than a year with all necessary technology and systems in place.

1986

UPS uses first scanner to collect and track shipping information.

1986

UPS acquires Roadnet Technologies, Inc., a leading routing and scheduling software firm.

UPS begins world’s first air express service, but quickly shuts down due to the Great Depression.

UPS builds the first mechanical sorter and conveyor belt system for handling packages at its Los Angeles operation.

1923

UPS begins using the Remington-Wall adding typewriter.

1907

Jim Casey borrows $100 from a friend to found American Messenger Company in Seattle. Installs two telephone lines: one for each local telephone carrier.