La Poste launches Digiposte solution
La Poste has launched its secure digital mail service Digiposte to the general public. The move follows the operator’s decision to trial the service on selected individuals and businesses under a test phase lasting several months.
Digiposte will help customers save time, whilst maintaining the high security levels.
La Poste said the new solution will become “the standard for secure digital exchange for the general public.”
The solution has been chosen by several major businesses in France, as a way of managing their business documents.
La Poste has already signed a partnership agreement with payroll services company ADP. Furthermore, deals have been struck with ISE Microlist, specialising in the archiving of business documents, and with Crédit Mutuel Arkéa and La Banque Postale in the banking sector.
It has been reported that La Poste will launch a $5m advertising campaign to promote the electronic service.
“This is an essential element of our strategy of innovation,” said Jean-Paul Bailly, La Poste chairman and CEO.
Last month, La Poste’s Board gave the go-ahead for the operator to receive EUR 2.7bn capital investment as it prepares for the liberalisation of the postal market.
The cash injection will be provided by the state in conjunction with its investment arm Caisse des Depots – which will acquire a 26% stake in the French postal operator in return for its investment.
The state will provide EUR 1.2bn of funding, which will be supplemented by Caisse des Depots (EUR 1.5bn).
The operator will use the funds to push ahead with its major modernisation plans marked out in its ‘Ambition 2015′ strategy, which was adopted in April of last year.
Many postal operators across the world are turning to electronic mailing solutions to counter the drop in physical mail volumes.
Last July, Deutsche Post DHL described its E-Postbrief as “a new era in mail communication”.
“We’re making secure written communication on the Internet is possible for everyone – this is a revolution,” said CEO Frank Appel, at the time of the launch.
By November, the company confirmed that more than one million people had signed up to the service. It added that more than 60% of Germans were aware of the hybrid service, only 16 weeks after the official launch.
Board member Jürgen Gerdes praised the innovative new product and said he was pleased with the up-take: “This product meets a growing demand,” he said.
Future innovations in the postal sector will be a hot topic at this month’s PosTech 2011 conference, being held in Dubai on 14-16 March. For more details, or to book a place at the industry-leading event, click here.
