IocTober Day 17 - Delivery button

We’re creating an IoT solution for every day of “IocTober”.

At Accelerando we build fast prototypes. We keep a range of IoT gadgets and components in stock to achieve this, but from time to time we’re missing that one part we need to finish the job.

Fortunately, even here in the benighted antipodes there are a couple of component suppliers with next day delivery (not cheap, but fast. Sometimes good, sometimes not).

Recently we ran short of a critical component, needing just five more than we had in stock to complete a batch of prototypes for a client. A search of component suppliers found one that had five in stock for next day delivery, so we ordered 5 overnight and crossed our fingers that they would arrive in time. Pro tip: If you have to order something overnight, also order a bag or roll from a cheaper, slower bulk supplier, (but with free shipping) for next time.

The package came, but with only three items, noting two would follow later. We resorted to robbing some other modules in stock to obtain the neede compontents.

A few days ago, in the middle of the afternoon, I almost trod on a package that had been slid under our loading dock rollerdoor overnight. The courier had been running early and had thoughtfully left the package in a safe place (but alas shielded from view from most most of the workshop by a machine adjacent to the door).

So, let’s build a “delivery ready” button for the loading dock, so that delivery couriers can let us know they’ve been. You could fit the same kind of mechanism to your letter box.

Like the Day 16 project, using Slack or Pushover to notify of your button press is a great simple way to ensure that the right staff do not miss important deliveries.