Automated Package Tracking SOP

System: Package Tracking Google Sheet

1. Purpose

This SOP explains how the Package Tracking Automation should be used by the operations team to monitor parcel deliveries.

The automation eliminates the need to manually open tracking links and check carrier statuses one-by-one.

Instead, the system automatically:

• Checks tracking links

• Detects delivery status

• Updates the tracking sheet

• Flags shipments that require customer action

This reduces manual work and improves operational efficiency.

2. Scope

This SOP applies to all shipments tracked in the:

Package Tracking – Google Sheet

The automation reviews shipments sent via:

• Australia Post

• Other carriers using tracking links

3. File Location

Operations team must open:

Package Tracking – Google Sheet

This sheet contains all outbound shipment tracking records.

4. Sheet Column Structure

Column	Field	Description
A	Date	Shipment date
B	ShipTo	Customer name
C	OurRef	Order reference
Q	Delivered Date	Date/time parcel delivered
R	Tracking Number	Carrier tracking number
AR	Tracking String	Full tracking URL
AS	Days Since	Days since shipment
AT	Carrier Status	Exception status
AU	Inquiry Date	Optional follow-up date

5. When the Automation Should Be Used

The automation should be run:

Once per day

Recommended time:

Morning operations review

This ensures any delivery problems are detected early.

6. How to Run the Automation

Step 1

Open the Package Tracking Google Sheet

Step 2

Locate the menu:

Package Tracking

Step 3

Click:

Track Packages

Step 4

Wait while the automation runs.

The script will automatically:

• Visit tracking pages

• Check delivery status

• Update the sheet

This process may take 30 seconds to several minutes depending on the number of shipments.

7. What the Automation Updates

The system automatically updates the sheet based on carrier status.

Delivered Shipments

If the carrier status is Delivered, the automation will:

Column	Action
Q	Insert delivery date/time
AT	Leave blank

Example:

15/03/2026 14:32

Once this is filled, the shipment is considered completed.

Awaiting Collection

If the carrier status is:

Awaiting Collection

The automation will update:

Column	Value
AT	Awaiting Collection

This means the parcel is waiting at the post office or pickup point.

Operations must notify the customer.

Delivery Attempted

If the carrier status shows:

Attempted Delivery

Delivery Attempted

Card Left

The automation will update:

Column	Value
AT	Attempted Delivery

This means the courier attempted delivery but the recipient was unavailable.

Operations must notify the customer.

Label Created

If the tracking page shows:

Label Created by Sender

The automation will update:

Column	Value
AT	Label Created by Sender

This indicates the parcel may not yet be in the carrier network.

In Transit Shipments

If tracking shows:

• On its way

• We've got it

• Coming today

• In transit

The automation will:

Make no changes

These shipments remain under monitoring.

8. After the Automation Runs

At the end of the run a summary popup will appear.

Example:

Package Tracking Completed

Delivered Updated: 14

Carrier Status Updated: 6

Skipped Rows: 112

Errors: 1

9. Operations Follow-Up

After running the automation, the operations team should review rows where:

Carrier Status = Awaiting Collection
Carrier Status = Attempted Delivery

For these shipments:

Contact the customer
Provide the tracking link
Advise them to arrange pickup or redelivery

10. Benefits of the Automation

The automation reduces manual work by:

• Eliminating the need to open each tracking link

• Automatically marking delivered parcels

• Automatically flagging delivery problems

Estimated operational time saved:

90% reduction in manual tracking checks

11. Troubleshooting

If the automation fails:

Refresh the sheet
Run Track Packages again
If the issue persists, notify the technical team.