Securing the Post
In June 2013 the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) won the the Security Award at the World Mail Awards 2013 held in Madrid. Post & Parcel spoke to Stephen Fulton, Senior Project Manager and Consultant at Canada Revenue Agency to find out more. In the run up to the World Mail Awards 2014 , held at the Hilton Hotel, Berlin on 18 June, Post & Parcel will be looking back at some of last year’s winners and finding out what receiving an award meant to them.
Can you describe the service the company was recognised for with this award?
The CRA was recognised for its Secure Shipment Management System (SMS) – a collaboration between Canada Post and their service provider Lyngsoe. The system was developed to track and trace every item in transit throughout the entire supply chain.
Why is security so important for the CRA?
The CRA has a public responsibility for the security of the hundreds of millions of tax-related documents and materials, including those containing taxpayers’ personal information, that pass through its internal systems in any given year.
What were the key elements of the system that was devised?
To enhance its mail tracking system, the CRA combined its barcode system with Canada Post’s radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. RFID uses specialised radio frequency tags that can be read remotely by mobile or fixed readers.
With real-time monitoring of our internal shipping network, the CRA can now track 100 percent of all its internal shipments at all times, ensuring the security of material shipments throughout the internal supply chain, and allowing third-parties the ability to monitor their own high-value or sensitive shipments from the moment they enter the CRA’s shipping network to final delivery.
How did CRA employees help develop the system?
During pilot testing, CRA employees played a crucial role designing and measuring system capabilities, identifying key indicators, and developing business intelligence and critical process procedures to take full advantage of the available technology. Their energy was a key driver.
How did you feel when you heard the announcement that CRA had won the award?
It made me very proud of the joint team, made up of representatives from the Canada Revenue Agency, Canada Post and our RFID supplier Lyngsoe Systems, that was responsible for implementing, sustaining and growing this great solution.
Why are the World Mail Awards significant for the industry?
I think it is important for Triangle to run these awards, as it facilitates a world class business forum for innovators in the mail related industry to demonstrate, show and celebrate great initiatives that benefit their organisations and customers.
Why would you recommend that others put their company forward for the World Mail Awards 2014?
I would highly recommend others put in submissions for the World Mail Awards in order to socialise and get recognition for efforts in successfully implementing leading edge solutions that benefit both their current business and future business strategies in a dynamic environment.
Nominations for the awards will be open until the 28th February, with the exception of the Industry Leadership Award which will be open for nominations until the 15th January. To enter the awards or to nominate someone for the Industry Leadership Award visit the World Mail Awards website – www.mailawards.com
