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Swiss Post Tests New Letter Delivery Processes - August 17, 2010
[Post and Parcel.]As of autumn, Swiss Post will carry out tests on the delivery of letters in the St Gallen region, the city of Lausanne and the Kriens/Sarnen area.
The main focus of the tests is the automated sorting of items to individual house letterbox level. The time-consuming manual sorting of items by the postal carrier is thus reduced. The postal carriers’ delivery rounds will be adjusted for the tests, meaning that delivery times will change for some customers. However, all customers will receive their mail by the end of the midday period at the latest.
Swiss Post wants to use the findings of these tests to increase the efficiency of delivery and continue to meet customers’ requirements for a cost-effective, high-quality, modern service in the future. Only the results of these tests will ascertain exactly how the various customer groups and employees will be affected. Decisions as to the next steps are due to be made in spring 2011.
Swiss Post is continuously improving its internal processes and systematically examining new technological possibilities. This enables Swiss Post to achieve the objective defined by the Federal Council to provide high-quality postal services without financial assistance.
U.S. Postal Service Products Available at Office Depot - August 16, 2010
[Press Release.]Customers at almost 1,100 Office Depot stores across the country now have another option for shipping services.
U.S. Postal Service shipping and mailing products now are available at 1,083 Office Depot stores across the country. Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes and envelopes, Priority Mail service, Express Mail service, Parcel Post, stamps, Delivery Confirmation and Signature Confirmation now are available at those Office Depot stores.
Priority Mail Flat Rate shipping is one of the best options for small businesses and consumers alike. With Flat Rate Boxes, customers pay one, low rate to any state without worrying about weighing the package — and there are no surcharges when using Postal Service shipping products.
“We’re excited to extend some of the best shipping values in the country to Office Depot customers, at a time and place that’s convenient to them,” said Susan Plonkey, acting president, Mailing and Shipping Services. “Small businesses, especially, will be able to compare shipping companies side by side and see for themselves that Postal Service prices are very competitive and affordable.”
The partnership with Office Depot is one more example of how the Postal Service is adjusting products and services to better fit the changing needs of its customers, while finding creative solutions to generate much needed revenue.
As an Approved Postal Provider, Office Depot is the first national retailer to offer Postal Service shipping products and services.
“Office Depot is all about helping our customers take care of business, and by providing smart mailing services through the Postal Service in our stores, customers can enjoy the convenience of shipping while they shop,” said Kevin Peters, president, North American Retail for Office Depot.
Office Depot and the Postal Service worked together to ensure Office Depot employees could answer any customer concern or question on Postal products. Customer convenience and service are key to both companies.
Expanding access to products and services is one of the key components of “Delivering the Future,” the Postal Service’s action plan for the future. That plan also identifies shipping as one of the key growth opportunities for increased financial stability.
NZ Post Allows Iphone Users to Create and Send Greeting Cards - August 16, 2010
[Post and Parcel.]The iPhone application - which can also be used on Apple’s iPad and iPod Touch and personal computers - is free to download. Cards cost $5 to create and send from any country to any country.
Users select an image from their image library or snap a photo on their phone and write a message to appear in the card. They then add the delivery address, view a preview of the card and pay for it with their credit card. Standard data traffic charges from internet providers will also apply.
NZ Post market engagement manager Fiona Woolley says it wants to make it easy for people to send cards and postcards. “We had feedback from lots of people saying they still liked - if they’re sending things to husbands, wives, kids at university or nanas - getting things out of the letterbox. It’s the tangibility of it. “So if you’re an American tourist standing at the top of Mt Cook, you can take a photo on your iPhone and just send it straight off.”It’s instantaneous and it’s fun.”
Stefan Korn, an e-commerce analyst, says NZ Post is trying to leverage off new technology without letting go of its “snail mail” business model.
NZ Post says there are 38 million iPhone users around the world and the potential for its service is huge, but Mr Korn says few people outside New Zealand would know of NZ Post.
SkyPostal Changes Name to SkyShop Logistics - August 16, 2010
[GlobeNewswire.]SkyPostal Networks, Inc. announced that it has changed its name to SkyShop Logistics, Inc. to better reflect its positioning as a cross border shopping facilitator. Capitalizing on SkyPostal's efficient and low cost international delivery network, SkyShop has developed integrated shopping solutions which allow U.S. merchants to offer their international customers a simplified and cost effective buying experience from the moment of purchase to the cross-border delivery.
SkyShop's solutions cater to two audiences; the International online shopper who otherwise could not buy from U.S. e-tailers and U.S. merchants that want to access foreign consumers with an interest in purchasing U.S. merchandise and be able to service them without the complexities of cross-border deliveries.
SkyShop's consumer offering, PuntoMio (www.puntomio.com), gives non U.S. residents a U.S. address which they can use to make online purchases as if they lived in the U.S. Its Global e-Cart product (www.globale-cart.com) gives U.S. merchants integrated options with which to sell to the international client without the risks inherent in cross-border transactions: credit card fraud, high shipping and import costs, and complex import procedures. The U.S. merchant sells to the international shopper in the U.S. and SkyShop assumes full responsibility for shipping, clearance and delivery. The SkyShop delivery system features shipping rates less than those of express carriers and similar to parcel post rates, but with track and trace visibility.
Customers Urge USPS To Go Digital - August 13, 2010
[Kate Muth, DM News.]The US Postal Service needs to play in the digital world, major postal customers told the organization's executives August 11 at the USPS' Innovation Symposium.
Attendees recommended the USPS offer electronic services similar to those of Deutsche Post, which is building a trusted platform for businesses and consumers to conduct electronic business. Other customers suggested the USPS offer a PayPal-type service, building off its reputation as a trusted brand to offer secure online bill presentation and payments. Others said the USPS should create secure e-mail addresses linked to physical addresses, which would open the door to a host of hybrid mail services.
“I heard some clear messages today. One is ‘don't be shy about getting into the digital world,'” John Potter, postmaster general, told the group after hearing input from breakout sessions. “Maybe we have been too cautious in this area, given what we think the law says. But you sent the message repeatedly today that we have to be part of the solution going forward.”
The USPS held the event in conjunction with the regular quarterly meeting of the postmaster general's Mailers Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC). Susan Plonkey, acting president of mailing and shipping services for the USPS, said the Postal Service came up with the idea for the symposium after Potter held a series of brainstorming sessions with CEOs of major companies.
Potter said he was pleased to hear that customers want the USPS to be aggressive in retail. Customers suggested the Postal Service provide other governmental services at retail outlets; create communications hubs at retail centers; or franchise out the front end of retail centers to allow other business to operate there.
“We may have fallen into the trap of thinking of them [retail centers] as a cost center, and we need to think about them as a revenue center,” he said. “So, we will attack that mind-set.”
Israel Postal Bank To Issue Visa Debit Cards - August 13, 2010
[Post and Parcel.]Israel has a new payment card issuer. After five months of negotiations, the Israel Postal Company has been accepted as a non-full member in Visa Europe, and has been authorized by Visa Europe to issue Visa cards. The Israel Postal Company has thus become the first non-bank entity in Israel to issue Visa cards.
Minister of Communications Moshe Kahlon said, “The issue of Visa cards by the Postal Bank will reduce costs for consumers, and will continue the trend of expanding the financial services offered by the Israel Postal Company.”
The permit from Visa covers all kinds of payment cards. However, the Postal Bank will initially issue debit cards only, and will not undertake any credit risk. This is because the Bank Supervision Department at the Bank of Israel will not see a problem in the Postal Bank, which it does not supervise, expanding its activity in this way.
At the same time, Visa Europe has opened a representative office in Israel.
Azerbaijan Plans Countrywide Introduction Of Broadband Internet Until 2013 - August 12, 2010
[ABC.az.]The State Program for Development of Communications & Information Technologies 2010-12 (Electronic Azerbaijan) endorsed yesterday by the relevant order of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev says of drastic change in quality of Internet network and telecommunication services in the country.
Under the Program, the Ministry of Communications & Information Technologies will take measures on introduction of wideband Internet services will be taken in Azerbaijan in 2010-12.
At that, the Program stipulates plans on introduction of universal postal services in the country, upgrade of communication network in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, improvement of services on the basis of modern information technologies.
Under the order, the MCIT will also undertake co-ordination of enforcement of the state program measures and the Cabinet Ministers will prepare within two months and submit to the President the proposals for the promulgation of the acts of governmental agencies and organs of local self-government through electronic information systems and resolve issues arising from the order.
UPS Makes it More Convenient to Return Goods - August 12, 2010
[Press Release.]UPS announced it is launching UPS Returns Flexible Access, a new service with a unique label that allows consumers to drop returns at any U.S. Postal Service (USPS) location or personal mailbox in addition to the thousands of UPS locations nationwide.
UPS Returns Flexible Access utilizes the Postal Service's Parcel Return Service, combined with UPS's own drop-off locations and delivery network, to provide retailers' customers with increased convenience when returning items. Customers of participating retailers receive special package labels that allow them to enter returns packages in more than 150 million postal access points - including personal mailboxes - for their postal carrier to pick up.
Consumers also can drop the package off at their local U.S. Post Office, in postal collection boxes or at traditional UPS drop-off locations including The UPS Store, UPS drop boxes, UPS customer centers, third-party retailers (Office Depot, Staples, and Authorized Shipping Outlets) or hand it to a UPS driver. The combination of UPS and postal access channels creates the most extensive returns network available to consumers today.
After a returns package is transported to a Postal Service location for dispatch to UPS, a UPS driver picks it up and transports the package back to the retailer via the UPS ground network. This offers retailers an inbound view of returns packages, facilitating improved customer service and cost savings due to better inbound operations planning.
"This game-changing consumer-to-business returns service improves UPS's returns portfolio, which is already the most extensive in the industry," said Linda Shepherd West, new product development director at UPS. "Working with the U.S. Postal Service to process returns through more than 150 million access points provides retailers the added flexibility they need to enhance their customer's overall experience."
Austrian Post - H1 2010 - August 11, 2010
[Press Release.]
Highlights:
- Q2: Good second quarter leads to stable half-year
- Revenue 0.7 percent; EBIT 5.8 percent
- H1: Half-year 2010 development confirms forecasted trends
- Decline in the Mail Division of -0.9 percent to EUR 682.1m due to electronic substitution
- Growth in the Parcel & Logistics Division of 4.3 percent to EUR 387.0m
- Group revenue and EBIT at the previous years level
- Improved domestic and international cost structure
- Cost reduction measures have a positive impact
- Turnaround at subsidiaries begins to take hold
- Cash flow reflects efficient use of financial resources and good development
- Operating cash flow before changes in working capital and tax up 14.8 percent to EUR 115.3m
- Free cash flow before the acquisition/disposal of securities improves by 31.3 percent to EUR 46.3m
AUSTRIAN POST AT A GLANCE?
The business development of Austrian Post in the first half of 2010 proceeded very satisfactorily. A good second quarter revenue featuring a 0.7 percent revenue increase and an earnings improvement of 5.8 percent led to a stable development in the first six months of 2010 as a whole. Total Group revenue in the first half-year amounted to EUR 1,150.1m, whereas EBIT was EUR 74.5m, at a comparable level to the prior-year period.
Sales measures and innovations contributed to keeping the volume decline in the Mail Division as low as possible. The revenue increase of 4.3 percent in the Parcel & Logistics Division showed an ongoing rise in transport volumes. Growth in the core business was even higher in the light of the fact that unprofitable transport logistics operations were terminated in Germany at the end of last year.
In order to counteract structural changes in the postal business, Austrian Post will continue to take all the measures it considers necessary to enhance the productivity of the company. Notable successes with respect to operating costs and direct personnel expenditures could already be achieved in the first half of 2010. Cost reduction measures in Austria as well as the turnaround of Austrian Post's international subsidiaries are beginning to take hold. The Branch Network Division is also undergoing constant changes. Unprofitable company-operated branches are being systematically converted into postal partner offices. Austrian Post will continue to pursue its strategy of improving service quality and the cost structure.
We are on the right path, both in terms of the development of our business operations as well as the implementation of strategic measures , says Austrian Post CEO Georg Polzl. We have succeeded in counteracting the revenue decline in the letter mail business for the most part, and exploiting growth opportunities in the parcels segment. Although our cost structure has substantially improved it is absolutely essential to continue working on further enhancing efficiency , Polzl adds.
The measures Austrian Post is persistently implementing within the context of its strategic programme Post@2011 are designed to exploit revenue growth opportunities as well as to realise potential cost savings.
The earnings strength of Austrian Post and the efficient use of available financial resources is best demonstrated by the operating cash flow before taxes, which was increased by 14.8 percent in the first half-year 2010. Based on this development, we confirm our original forecast for the year 2010. Revenue is expected to decrease by 1 percent to 2 percent from the comparable figure for 2009, but the EBITDA margin will continue to be in a range between 10 percent and 12 percent.
Australia Post Partners With Officemax To Offer Online Office Store - August 11, 2010
[Press Release.]Australia Post has partnered with OfficeMax to launch an online office products store.
The partnership will see Australia Post offer retail products online, a further demonstration of the organisation's expansion into online services as part of the newly launched Future Ready renewal program.
From 2 August, OfficeMax's 10,000 products will be available on the Australia Post website at www.auspost.com/stationery , where they can be purchased and delivered straight to the customer's door.
"Australia Post is delighted that our extensive delivery network will be used in partnership with OfficeMax to deliver affordable office and technology products to workplaces across the country," says Australia Post Merchandise Services Manager, Rowan Howarth.
"Every day we deliver 20 million items to Australian addresses and our partnership with OfficeMax will enable us to deliver a range of affordable office products around Australia".
The online store will be available for once-off purchases, but is expected to be of particular value to businesses who seek the convenience of online retailing for their everyday office needs.
"Australia Post is excited to offer a secure online shop for our customers, which will save them time and make stocking their office a lot easier," says Mr Howarth.
The products available through the online store range from desk stationery through to technology hardware, consumables, cleaning items and even furniture.
"OfficeMax is thrilled to offer Australia Post customers all the products they need for their offices through a contemporary online store," says OfficeMax Managing Director, David Armstrong.
"It's an excellent desk-to-door service, allowing busy people to focus on their work."
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