Cyprus Post pilots 24-hour automated parcel terminals
Cyprus Post has launched a new 24-hour parcel delivery service using automated self-service parcel terminals. The new pilot in Nicosia is using parcel terminals supplied by Poland’s InPost, allowing consumers to receive packages including online purchases around the clock.
The automated system will send out text message alerts to parcel recipients when items have been delivered via the EMS/Datapost service to their local parcel terminal.
The new service is part of ongoing efforts by state-owned Cyprus Post to upgrade its services and offer new products to the public. Other cities in Cyprus are expected to receive Parcel24 terminals later in the year.
As he addressed the launch of the Parcel24 service in Nicosia, Cyprus minister of communications Efthimios Flourentzou said he was very satisfied with Cyprus Post’s work to introduce new added-value services ahead of the full liberalisation of the country’s postal market in 2013.
He said the new service was part of facing up to the challenges of the Internet.
“Cyprus Post will have to face competition across the spectrum of its activities,” said the minister. “At the same time the international trend of technology substituting traditional postal services is becoming increasingly evident in our country.”
Technology as ally
The minister said with “proper consideration” and support from the government, Cyprus Post was using technology as an ally to provide diverse and modern services, adding that e-commerce was a particular opportunity.
“The upward trend of ecommerce, which has been observed for some years in the international arena, has now made its appearance in Cyprus,” said Flourentzou.
“Cyprus Post today is offering a modern and flexible way for the delivery of postal items sent from abroad, without reducing the working hours and physical presence of the post office.”
Cyprus is one of nine countries that InPost, part of Poland’s Integer.pl Group, is supplying with automated parcel terminals over the next six months, along with Chile, Saudi Arabia, Estonia, Spain, Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia and Russia.
The company signed a EUR 50m investment deal with PineBridge Investments earlier this year to support its plans to establish 16,000 terminal units in Europe by 2016.
The rolling-out of 24-hour parcel delivery services using automated self-service parcel terminals is excellent news for the consumer. Even better news for them will be when these terminals are opened-up for other carriers deliveries as well – the sooner the better in my mind.
It is useless in Cyprus, because all items here that comes outside EU must pass customs checks , and they don’t have an alternate way to check , you must go there , take them your invoice and pay the tax and open and check your item. Stupid and time-taking procedures!