Stamp Free: increasing the efficiency of the mail sorting with the help of AI

Stamp Free Limited, the digital postage stamp company, has launched its new Digitrack app, an AI-based postal validation and tracking app for carriers.

The Digitrack app can be downloaded onto an operative’s smartphone or other handheld device to increase the speed, accuracy and easy handling of mail items that use the Stamp Free Digital Postage Solution™ that replaces a stamp or barcode labelling with a handwritten code. The Digitrack app works in three ways:

• Scan: The postal operative just points their smartphone/handheld device at the mail item. Our AI technology instantly and accurately recognises the handwriting on the mail item.
• Validate: AI technology validates the code on a letter or parcel to know it’s all paid and correct. The operative simply clicks ‘validate’ on-screen after scanning, which can be done in seconds throughout the delivery journey.
• Track: When operatives photograph a mail item (such as to provide evidence of delivery), the AI engine automatically extracts the label information to update the carrier’s central system to provide their customers with tracking updates.

The Digitrack app complements Stamp Free’s existing API that enables validation through a carrier’s automated sortation process.

Hugh Craigie Halkett, Managing Director of Stamp Free, said: “Not only are we providing consumers and businesses with the ability to send parcels, letters and returns just by using their mobile phone, but we are now providing postal and carrier services with the equivalent benefit. Postal and carrier operatives will have the ability to scan and validate handwritten codes on mail items with the same speed and accuracy as they would conventional barcodes, which will increase the efficiency of the mail sort process. This is made possible by the use of artificial intelligence, which we believe will transform the postal and carrier industry by enabling a truly label-free and contact-free mail and returns journey.”