Despite directly employing more than 5 million people and indirectly employing nearly 15 million people accounting for over 2% of GDP as part of the national and global communications infrastructure, most postal authorities have not historically invested heavily in technology . . . but all that’s about to change. Privatisation and market liberalisation are the catalyst for change. The opportunities presented now by technology, will impact the future for all aspects of the industry, from the customer, right through to the operation and delivery of the services. Triangle, in conjunction with Saudi Post are together taking the initiative to unite the world’s leading postal authorities and top technology organisations in the world’s first global conference, focused on next generation postal technology.

‘A unique opportunity to understand the key challenges’

PosTech 2007 aims to explore how technology is and will impact the postal landscape and provide key trends and information for postal operators around the world. The Conference will be hosted by Saudi Post and opened under the Patronage of Crown Prince Sultan at the Hilton Hotel in Jeddah on 14-15 November 2007. Speakers and moderators already include BBC World Affairs Editor, John Simpson, Internationally renowned futurist, Dr. Michio Kaku, ex Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mike Moore, amongst a host of postal luminaries offering their vision. Major international companies already committed to sharing their vision of the future include Microsoft, Dell, HP,Oracle, Cisco, Siemens, Escher, IBM, Western Union whilst some of the most powerful companies in Saudi business, Nesma, Al Motabei, Awalnet, Farsi Geotech and NTC also have an opportunity to contribute. With arrangements made with Saudi Airlines, the Hilton Group and the Saudi Supreme Commission for Tourism, travel to the Kingdom, luxury accommodation whilst attending the conference and a range of exciting excursions before and afterwards are readily available with one phone call.

‘Programming the future’

PosTech 2007 will have two separate elements. The main conference will deal with global postal technology attracting delegates from over 100 countries whilst at the same time, top Arab businessmen and Government officials will discuss general future technology in the GCC and Arab countries. There will also be a separate Leader’s Forum to better understand how technology can become a positive driver for the global postal industry. Promoting a technology-based infrastructure for Posts, there will be a mix of plenary sessions coupled with discrete workshops. Topics include: E-Government, the future of Direct Mail, E-billing & E-payment, locational awareness, financial services, POS and kiosk solutions. For far too many years, postal operators have been playing catch up with technology; exhibitions focus on last year’s innovations and good money is spent on standing still. PosTech 2007 offers an opportunity to look into the future and instigate change that will reap benefits for employee and employer alike.

Tags: Events, IT, Nigel Ashton, PosTech, Saudi Post, Worldwide